Entstehung der Wolfgang-Hilbig-Werkausgabe (2008-2021)

This is a report from the inside of a publishing house. It describes the development of the seven-volume Wolfgang Hilbig edition of works at S. Fischer Verlag between 2007 and 2021 based on the author’s own memories as an editor with S. Fischer. The study recalls the decision-making process, people involved and similar publishing projects. In detail, it discloses the conception of the edition (structure, editorial principles, publication dates, afterwords by authors, book design, finance). In addition, the work brings together thoughts on canonization in the field of literary history and on editions of works as an instrument for such canonization, developed by S. Fischer founder Samuel Fischer at the beginning of the 20th century. Against the background of a changing and shrinking book market nowadays, the publication of the Wolfgang Hilbig edition of works is seen between cultural achievement and economic risk.