| One of the best ways to get your creative ideas | | | | story they want to see. They usually make a |
| flowing is to search through calls for submissions | | | | huge mention of the things they don't like or |
| into anthologies. Anthologies are generally | | | | things they won't accept too. Keep those |
| collections of short stories based around a central | | | | limitations in mind when it comes time to write. |
| theme. | | | | When you're browsing through lists of anthology |
| While the pay rate for fiction published in | | | | markets, try to stick to themes or genres that |
| anthologies is generally not high, there are many | | | | you enjoy or that you feel you could work for |
| advantages to writing for these compilation | | | | you. |
| markets. | | | | Light a Spark |
| 1. You have a new published credit to add to your | | | | As you read through each set of guidelines, you'll |
| portfolio | | | | notice that some just won't appeal to you, |
| 2. You can stimulate your own creativity by | | | | however there will be others that light a bit of a |
| reading through the submission guidelines of | | | | spark within the creative part of your mind. Write |
| anthologies that interest you | | | | down the first idea that comes to you |
| 3. You have the opportunity to break out of | | | | surrounding those particular guidelines and then |
| writer's block by writing something short on a | | | | see if there's room to expand on that idea. |
| topic created by someone else | | | | Think Outside the Box |
| 4. You can learn to hone your writing skills by | | | | Always keep in mind that the most obvious idea |
| mastering the short story | | | | that pops into your head is very likely to be the |
| 5. You are able to show a future novel editor that | | | | similar to every other submission that editor will |
| you're able to write | | | | receive. Take a careful look at your original idea |
| 6. You get that unique warm-fuzzy-proud feeling | | | | and see where you can add a unique twist or if |
| of being able to hold the completed book in your | | | | you can approach the situation from a fresh angle. |
| hand once it's published | | | | The more unusual or unexpected your story line |
| 7. You might actually receive a check for a few | | | | is, the more chance you have of making your tale |
| extra dollars! | | | | stick in the editor's mind. |
| There are plenty more reasons why writing for | | | | Submit Early |
| anthologies can be hugely beneficial for all writers, | | | | Most anthology listings have a clear deadline by |
| but these are the main ones that came to mind. | | | | which your submission needs to reach the editor's |
| Now we've looked into why writing and submitting | | | | desk. Many writers tend to leave their |
| short fiction to these markets can be a good | | | | submissions until the last possible moment. If you |
| thing, what happens if the story you write isn't | | | | imagine several hundred submissions landing on |
| accepted? | | | | that editor's desk within a couple of days, how |
| Potentially, any anthology editor is going to | | | | focused do you think that poor editor is going to |
| receive several hundred submissions for a book | | | | be after reading through them all? |
| that can only hold 20 or 25 stories. How can you | | | | If you can get your story submitted early then |
| increase your chances of getting your story | | | | you have a much bigger chance of the editor |
| accepted? | | | | reading it with fresh eyes without the distraction |
| Let's look into some things you should remember | | | | of all those other submissions. |
| when you're dealing with anthology editors. | | | | Submit! |
| Theme | | | | It's surprising how many writers create beautiful |
| The object of most anthology collections is to | | | | stories and then can't find the courage to submit |
| compile several stories that revolve around a | | | | them to a market. Be brave and send your story |
| central theme or genre. Most editors are very | | | | out the door! |
| thorough about telling writers exactly what kind of | | | | |