Compiling an anthology can be an excellent solution if you want to publish a compelling book quickly. Below are tips for putting together a good anthology.
An anthology is a literary piece collection by many authors. It can sometimes refer to the collected output of a single author, but it generally refers to a compilation presenting many different writers.
Writing for an anthology allows you to have your work published alongside like-minded writers and be exposed to a broader audience. Some anthologies are perennial bestsellers. No matter what type of writing you specialize in—fairy tales, nonfiction, young adult, or something else entirely—odds are there is an existing anthology that publishes work in your genre.
What is the basic process for putting one together? What do organizations and publishers, and even writers, need to know?
Below are the tips for making a good anthology:
1. Develop a driving question or idea. This may seem obvious, but the first step in developing an anthology of stories, essays, and poetry is to know what your collection is about. Consider this a driving question for the book. An anthology must focus on one genre or place the book in stores, and retailers won’t be accessible. Consider the strength and the market of the group contributing to the anthology. A theme adds stories’ cohesiveness and allows for subgenres. There also needs to be a limit on word count, both low and high, to keep the levels consistent in length. This is the first among many tips for putting together a good anthology.
2. Set rules and guidelines. Primary guidelines need to be set in place for story submissions. What’s the time frame for submissions? Will they be open to all or just members of a particular group? What content type is or isn’t acceptable? Will the authors be compensated with a one-time payment, royalties, or free books? Who will judge the entries? How should entries be formatted and sent? Be sure to request that writers send complete contact information.
3. Announce submission opening. Start spreading the word early on in an anthology. A graphic advertisement or the finished cover art can be used for promotions.
4. Check and read entries. Look through entries as they come in to avoid pile-ups if many come in at the last second. Check for the proper theme, genre, and word count. Evaluate each entry and take notes on what did or did not work.
5. Select the best entries. After the submission window closes, the judges and group must select and rank the best. Have a pre-determined idea of how many will be cut.
6. Contracts to authors. No matter who submitted stories or who is putting together the anthology, draw up contracts for each author. The agreement must cover all royalties, rights, marketing, author copies, etc. Once the winning stories have been chosen, send contracts to those writers and announce the winners.
7. Plan marketing. The marketing plan likely started taking shape when the anthology was conceived and needed to be refined and put into action at this point. Review virtual tours, copies, advertising, author appearances, target audience, graphics, and ads — all of this can be executed while working with the authors.
8. Book finalization. A month before release, the finished book is created and sent to the printer and distributors. Copies are now ordered for the author and the organization or publisher.
9. Release day and more marketing. All of the authors should play a big part in the release announcements. It continues beyond there since marketing should continue for many months. And that’s it. It is not easy, but if you stick to the outline and plan, it can be.
It’s challenging working with various authors, but at the same time, each individual brings a fresh set of marketing ideas and a different sphere of influence — not to mention a distinct set of abilities and skills. So, while it’s a lot to juggle in the production phase, the marketing part should yield some great results. This is one of the most important tips for putting together a good anthology. A win-win for everyone!
Furthermore, with magazine production, Anthology Of Short Stories And Poems II by Brian Clements is proud to announce the new partnership. This new book continues the adventures of Private Detective Jack Donavon of the “If Could Hear What I See” series as he searches for the person who caused his hearing loss. This leads Jack back to Florida, where he meets his attacker and must fight him or be killed. Jack also works with unusual clients who get him into all sorts of problems.
You can also follow David and Carol Anne Taylor as they discuss the papers of David’s great-grandfather, who helped search for serial killer H.H Holmes.
Additionally, you can read about the adventure that Jason and Ava had as they guarded a mental hospital in Florida in the middle of Hurricane Michael and the dilemma they must encounter. And remember the love story and poems that come with Brian’s collection.
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