Aphelion

Damn, Rick, it's hard enough to get people to write 1000 word stories . . . "people" meaning me, at least. I'd go longer, myself.

Of course, with the proviso:

No limit on adult content level, politics sex and social issues all open.

things might open up a bit (but maybe too much).

I'd like to see a "best of" poetry collection -- that way, I know I'd get published, lol!

I fully endorse your effort, but I would think finding illustrators willing to do that many pictures for as little $ as they may get for doing it quite difficult. And while your favorite illustrator is very good, generally speaking, I think publishers tend to use three or four of them so there are differing styles for different shorts (in case a reader doesn't like one's style they can still get benefit from artwork in the book, and it can enhance a theme or genre).

If you can, great, go for it.

A thing to think about, though, is maybe you want to grow and groom your contributors first. 500 words is different from 1000. Not everyone here may want to try it. Perhaps you might want to try a few challenges of your own to see who likes doing them, and is good at it. Build your market and your base, as it were.

Anyone can do a challenge. Speed writing challenges where you get an hour after the theme is posted to write all you can. Or 500 word short shorts. Try a drabble. Longer 4,000 word challenges. Novella challenges. I just do 1000 words, because that's all I have time for.

All it takes is a willingness to try and to be dedicated to it. The more the merrier.

Nate