Anthology: definition and examples
An anthology is a published collection of poems, stories or other writing by several different authors, chosen and arranged by an editor.
An anthology gathers work by many writers into one book, usually around a theme, a genre or a period. The Norton Anthology of English Literature and The Best American Short Stories are famous examples. If every piece is by one author, the right word is collection, not anthology.
Many writers, one book
An editor chooses the pieces, puts them in order and often writes an introduction. The authors contribute; the editor shapes the whole. That selecting is what turns a pile of stories into a book with a point of view.
For a working writer, anthologies matter as a way in. Many publish open calls for stories on a theme. A place in one can introduce you to the readers of every other contributor.
Examples
"The Norton Anthology of English Literature"
W. W. Norton & Company, first published 1962
The classroom standard, now in its eleventh edition, running from Beowulf to contemporary writers.
"The Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics"
Compiled by Francis Turner Palgrave, first published 1861
Palgrave left out every poet still living, a curating rule that shaped a century of taste in English poetry.
"The Best American Short Stories"
Published every year since 1915
The oldest continuous series of its type. It became a model for the themed annual anthologies that followed.
Contributing to one, or editing one
If you write short fiction, anthology calls are one of the best ways to reach new readers. Read the theme, the word limit and the rights terms carefully before you submit.
If you edit an anthology, keep each contributor's story as its own book in FeelyWrite; every plan allows unlimited books. Then [export](/features/export) each one in the format your publisher asks for, usually DOCX.
Common mistakes
Calling a single-author book an anthology
Stories that are all yours make a collection. An anthology has several contributors.
Skimming the rights terms
Anthology contracts differ on how long they hold your story. Read them before you sign.
Common questions
- What is the difference between an anthology and a collection?
- An anthology gathers work by different authors. A collection gathers work by one author.
- Is it worth submitting a story to an anthology?
- Often, especially early on. It puts your name beside other writers and in front of their readers. It also gives you a publishing credit. ---
Related terms
Knowing the word is the easy part
Using it well takes a draft. FeelyWrite writes beside you and remembers the whole book while you do it.
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