Writing for an anthology is an excellent way to get your first story published. It will boost your confidence and get you a great writing credit.
Anthologies are great. They’re easy to read and they make excellent gifts. Anthologies usually have a common theme, so you know what you’re getting with each story. One of the best things about them, for writers, is that they are filled with opportunity.
Write What You Know
Do you know who usually writes for anthologies? It’s you. It’s the everyday man and woman. They are usually comprised of stories by people that have something in common. It can be anything from the same religion, gender, age, traumatic event, or any other thing that makes people connect with each other. That’s were opportunity comes knocking.
As writers, we always hear write what you know. Writing a story for anthologies is geared for this. Do you have a child with autism? Or maybe a song affected your life? There are anthologies for just about everyone out there, for just about every experience.
Anthologies Are Everywhere
How many Chicken Soup for The Soul books are out there? There’s a ton, right? Did you know there are more in the works? Did you know that they take, no they need your submissions. They depend on the stories of everyday people. But Chicken Soup for the Soul isn’t the only anthology set out there.
Cup of Comfort is another popular anthology series that accepts submissions. They have a broad list of books already published and more on the way. Take a look at their website. Chances are there is something there that will interest you.
Submit Your Story
OK, now you’ve decided you want to submit a story to an anthology, but how do you find out where to send it? If you know the name of the series, you can go to the publisher’s website to get more information. But there are a lot of small, less known series out there that accept submissions.
Many small publishers put out anthologies. They use many different means to get submissions. They may advertise on a website or post a request on a message board that has a theme that matches their anthology.
The first thing I ever had published was in anthology. I had seen the request on a bulletin board I frequent. I sent in a couple of submissions and they were both accepted. There’s nothing like opening a book and seeing your name in print for the first time.
Another way that you can find out about upcoming anthologies is by joining internet groups. Writers compiling anthologies will send out an inquiry in a group that have something in common with the theme. This is especially true of writer’s groups. Authors asking for stories know that writer’s groups are a great place to ask about submissions.
Take Advantage Of The Opportunities In Anthologies
I’m sure that there is a story in you that will help and encourage someone. Keep your eyes open for the chance to submit to an anthology. Join an internet group, especially a writers group of some kind. Do some searching on the internet. Anthologies are great ways to break into print. Take advantage of the opportunity and submit your story to one now.
