Ask Sally #17 Getting Into an Anthology

How Do I Get A Story In An Anthology?

Note: This has been updated to include more information from Geoff Nelder at the bottom of the article.

The easy answer is 'write a good enough story' but it's not quite that simple. When you consider it, any submission, even if it's to an anthology or magazine, is a bit like entering a competition, so you need to do your best to make sure your story rises above the pack. Here are some tips for getting into an anthology.

1. Stick to the guidelines. This is very important. If the guidelines say that they accept typewritten stories about ghosts of up to 2000 words and they want the format to be Times New Roman 12pt, on an A4 sheet in double line spacing, then your 3000 word story about the fall of the Berlin Wall (minus a ghost of any kind) handwritten in your smallest writing on the back of a serviette will not be accepted.

2. If there's a theme, don't go with your first few ideas. This advice originated from Kay Sexton's blog, and whilst she was talking about competitions the same advice goes for anthologies. Kay suggests that you write down every idea you have based on the theme, then discard at least your first two or three ideas based on the theme as everyone else will think of those. Think laterally, instead of literally.

3. Stick to the theme! If there is a theme, you must stick to it, even if you come at it from a different angle. I've recently sent in a story to a Graveside Tales, whose lovely editors have been absolutely transparent about the selection process on the site's forum. One of their main complaints (though couched in very good humoured terms) was that so many of the stories submitted, though very well written, had nothing to do with the theme (which was Lycanthrope, The Beast Within and meant to be about were-creatures). It's a waste of everyone's time if you just send something off that you've got lying around, hoping that your genius will get you past the rules on theme that everyone else has to follow. Editors of the anthologies will have a clear idea of what they want in the anthology and they're not going to make exceptions.

4. Make sure you pick a distinctive title. Kay Sexton gives some good advice about titles on her blog too. She warns writers not to use titles that are the same as the theme (unless asked to) or which use words from the theme within the title. As Kay states, at least four other writers will have done the same thing. This advice, from me now, rather than Kay, goes for any story you write, whether for an anthology or otherwise. Pick a title that stands out. One of the stories I've recently sold is called 'Elvis Kills The Loch Ness Monster'. In the past I've had 'Night of the Mange Tout' (sold to The Weekly News), Keep off the Grass (2nd in British Fantasy Society competition) and 'Summer and Autumn on the Beach' (I've still to sell that one). They're all titles that stand out. Oh, and as Kay says, do put a title as it's a bit hard for editors to discuss the individual merits of 20 stories called 'untitled'.

5. Read Past anthologies. If you can get hold of previous anthologies from the same publisher, do so. It will give you an idea of the sort of work they accept. It's also a good way of gauging how long a publisher has been around, so you'll know if they're trustworthy.

6. Never pay someone to put you in anthology. Unless it's a competition entry fee, never pay for someone to put you in an anthology. This is usually called a 'reading fee' and, in my opinion, is a total rip off. The professional publishers don't charge you to read your work. If someone wants a reading fee and/or wants you to buy the anthology after, chances are it's a vanity outfit.

I would add to the above that unless it is charity, something like New Writing or a genuine competition, then make sure that you're paid in real money (usually about 1c per word or more) and/or copies. Personally speaking, I only target anthologies that are in print, though there are quite a few pdf anthologies out there. They don't tend to sell very well, and in my opinion, aren't as endurable as holding a book in your hand. But I accept this is a very personal choice and you might have different, and just as valid, ideas.

Since writing this, I've discussed this issue with my pal, Geoff Nelder. He and Robert Blevins of Adventure Books of Seattle have been putting together a magazine called Escape Velocity for quite some time. Whilst it's not an anthology, Geoff and Robert's problems have been similar to those who publish anthologies so I think it's worth mentioning here as it's very relative to what I've been saying This is what Geoff had to say:

Robert Blevins and I have had to send many rejections to hopeful authors after their submissions ... This is mainly because they didn't read the submission guidelines. You'd be amazed how many submit pieces 2000 words too long; romance lit stories when we ask for hard sci fi; work that is published elsewhere without copyright transferral; prologues or first chapters of a novel where it couldn't be a stand-alone story; and the odd (very) sexist, rascist, illegal content that wasn't justified by the context. And those are subs that were legible and written mainly with correct punctuation, grammar...

Can you imagine how frustrating this is for Geoff and Robert? Not to mention time-wasting. Incidentally, they are looking for new sci-fi stories for the next edition. Under 5000 words. And please stick to the theme of the magazine...

http://www.ralan.com/ is a good site for anthologies featuring sci-fi, horror and speculative fiction. Otherwise you can look out online or in the writing press (Writers News is particularly good) for anthology calls.