Silmarillion Brainstorming

It is good not to limit to only backstory. Because one or two of my contestants - and they might join us again - did themes of stories around the prompts. Medie, for example, wrote stories for each prompt about a different theft or catching a thief or something along those lines. Cute, linked, but not epic backstory.

But it would fit together if someone wanted to make a collection in that manner.

I also think it's best to target the people who are most likely doing epic scope creep worlds- people from novel groups (Wyrm, PENCIL, whomever) and get them to go in. Two or three bursts per year would probably keep all of us ready to pen our masterpieces...

Plus there's the publishing angle: you have a finished novel that's ready to go? Start building an audience and finding the people who love your work with short stories, either free or very cheap, as an entrance to your actual novel. (Yes, this works for traditional and self-publishing routes for promotion and marketing.)