Author Terri Tiffany has had numerous stories and articles published in antholgies, including several Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Here, she offers a few tips on how to increase the odds of getting published in this highly competitive market.
“Write tight.” This means making every word count. Go over each sentence and chop every word you can without ruining the flow or meaning. Simplify your piece. An anthology is not the place for flowery prose or padded description. Tell your story as crisply and clearly as possible.
Plan a theme. Most anthologies are prepared according to a theme so, right off the bat, you’ll know the overall topic you’ll need to focus on. Within this theme, do not write about a 2-year life lesson or include three different reader take-aways in your story. Focus and write specifically about one event to make a stronger impact.
Create a great hook. If you’re looking into an anthology focusing on special moments with your grandmother, ask yourself what makes your story special or different from the hundreds of others that will be submitted? Decide on a particular event, then come up with a unique hook that makes your story stand out from the rest.
End with a bang. A powerful ending is vital. Anthologies require endings that leave the reader laughing, crying, gasping, or at least feeling a sense of hope or satisfaction. A good way to do this is to look at how you began the story and wrap it up in the same manner. Tie in your opening hook with the ending to make your story feel complete.
The “Aha” moment. This is directly connected with the ending. The reader needs to come to a point where they realize the lesson or moral of the story. But be careful not to shove the message in their face or tack it on at the end, which will only leave the reader feeling cheated. Subtlety is key. The message should be woven into the story, preferably creating an “aha” moment that positively affects your reader.
Basically, what it comes down to is if you can take one true event – not a two-year life lesson – and write it in story form (term: Creative Non-fiction), you have a good chance at being published in an anthology.
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Visit Terri’s popular blog, Terri’s Treasures, and view her impressive list of anthology publications.
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6 Comments until now.
Great advice from a super-wonderful lady. Thanks!
Great article, Lynda. I’ve submitted to anthologies and failed. I’ll try again taking your advice.
I’d never really considered writing for anthologies much until an opportunity to submit work for the second edition of a popular Canadian Christian anthology (Hot Apple Cider) came up.
It just so happened they were looking for pieces that went along with the upcoming Couples, and Girls Night Out’s with World Vision, and I realize I had two pieces (a poem and a story) that fit perfectly. Both were accepted, and the latest book will soon be released. Copies have already been handed out at Girls Night Out events.
All that to say! One more point might be–just keep writing what the Lord puts on your heart, and one day it might find its way into an anthology.
Thanks for these great tips.
How exciting, Heather! Congratulations!
I’m just starting to use my computer again. I’m really practicing to use my writing for children. Maybe we need apologetics for children? I write one-page
storivotionals for children. I will follow the tips you provide, too. But, I’m
just starting out. After I sell material,
I will pay the fees later.
God bless.
I’m just beginning to write for anthologies and this is really good information. Thanks for sharing this.