Back to Part 2 of my VirtualBalticon panel notes.

The panelists were: Michael Ventrella as moderator, Keith R.A. DeCandido, John L. French, Monica Louzon, and Jean Marie Ward.

While many writers are publishing novels or sending short stories off to magazines, other writers have found anthologies to be a great space for their work.

Some of these writers find inspiration from the anthology’s submission call, some write what they want, then look for a home.


Three Reasons to Write For Anthologies
1. It’s a great space for short stories, especially those that might be too long to be in most magazines
2. Your audience is extended by the audiences of the other writers in the anthology
3. It can help you network with other writers

Four tips and approaches to writing for anthologies:
1. Pay attention to the guidelines. They’re there for a reason. Don’t make your work easy to reject on a technicality. Don’t waste your time writing stories that the anthology isn’t looking for.
2. Start your story where it starts, short stories don’t have time for much backstory. Have the stakes on the first page.
3. If your story was pre-existing and revised to fit the submission call, make sure that it doesn’t read as forced.
4. If you’re creating a new story for the anthology, don’t just do the first plot that pops in your head that fits the theme. There are likely going to be tons of people with that same instinct. Try to do something less expected. Maybe your fourth idea, or so.

Five reasons why your story might not be chosen
1. It stinks
2. It doesn’t meet the guidelines
3. Too many other submissions were along the same theme
4. Another story with a strong resemblance to yours was a better fit
5. The story is great, but the tone doesn’t work with the other stories in the anthology

If your story is not selected, wait a year or so before submitting it elsewhere. Many publishers are inundated with themed stories right after an anthology makes their selections. Don’t get lost in the crowd.

Flags to Watch Out For
Not all anthologies are a good home for your story. Here are a few of the things you should watch out for.

-They don’t pay you
-Their previously published works have bad formatting or otherwise look unprofessional
-Most importantly? The rights don’t expire and revert back to you.
This isn’t to say that unpaid publishing opportunities are always red flags, but make sure you’re comfortable associating your name and your work with their brand.

I know I’ve made a few of these mistakes. But, with my attempts last NaNoWriMo at writing shorts, I’ve got a few projects to polish and find homes for.

Have you submitted to anthologies? Do you like them? Let me know!