Submitting To Anthologies

If you write short pieces, as opposed to full-length books, anthologies are markets to explore for your work. The two book covers above are anthologies in which I have been published. A publisher decides to put together a group of stories by different authors, usually around a specific theme. 

The one I first submitted to and where I've had good success is Chicken Soup for the Soul. Their books are always filled with stories geared to a particular theme. They stay with a specified number of stories in each book--101. The stories they seek are heartwarming, humorous, heart-tugging true tales. No horror or erotica here. (Go to the bottom of the page where three columns are shown in blue ink. At the top of the third column, you will see Submit Your Stories. Click on this to go to the page that gives you all the information you need to submit. 

The Moments series of anthologies does not pay the authors. All royalties for the books go to an international charitable organization called Samaritan's Purse. You can read more about this series here. Submitting here, and being accepted, gives you a publication to add to your list and offers an opportunity to help others in our world.

Bards Against Hunger is another no-pay series of poetry anthologies. Royalties for the books go to fight hunger around the world. Again, it's one more publication if you are accepted. 

If you subscribe to writing newsletters, you can be on the lookout for anthologies that need submissions. You'll find lists of calls for submissions, anthologies being only one type. 

Do a search on your favorite search engine. I tried that just recently. I was surprised at the number of horror anthologies listed. There are also a lot of sci-fi and erotica books that are looking for stories. For people who write in these genres, it looked like a fertile field. 

As always, read the guidelines carefully. Read samples of the anthology if possible to give you an idea for what they like to publish. 

Here are a few links to anthologies looking for submissions:

• Crack the Spine--theme is The Year
• Heroines
• The Fiction Desk 
• Once Upon An Enchanted Forest--witchcraft stories
• Untitled Time Anthology--theme is Time
• Horror Anthology
• Travel Tales  (some dates are past, some still open)

7 Chicken Soup Books Need Stories

Chicken Soup for the Soul is accepting stories for four new titles--one actually has been in the works for awhile but the deadline for stories has been extended. Let's take a look at the kind of stories they are seeking.

1.  Christmas and Holiday Collection--2018   Stories about holidays that fall between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day will be included in this book. Winter holidays. They're looking for the humorous, heartwarming, even emotional stories that revolve around a winter holiday. Christmas will be the theme of the majority so if you have a Thanksgiving or New Year's Eve or Hanukkah story, it would have a good chance of getting into the book. October 31st deadline

2  Dreams, Premonitions and The Unexplainable  This is the second book which includes stories of strange happenings in our lives. The book cover above is the first one that covered dreams and premonitions. Note that they have now added unexplainable to this new title. This is not a new call for submission but the deadline has been extended to January 31, 2017. That's coming up in a hurry so check your files and see if you have a story you might submit for this one.

3.  My Crazy Family  Haven't we all heard people make a comment about their crazy family? Most of it meant in a loving way, but then there are others who...well, you fill in the blank. This should be a book meant for humorous and loving types of stories. Deadline is June 30, 2017.

4.  Positively Happy!  The editors are looking for both serious and humorous stories about how you found happiness. What did you do to achieve that state? Happiness, they tell us, is a state of mind. Did something happen in your life to help you get there? Deadline is May 31, 2017.

5.  Stories About Cats  This book will focus on stories about rescued cats who were adopted and found a loving home. So, don't send just any cat story. Make sure it fits the theme. This is why we must read guidelines carefully. I'm betting they receive many stories that are just 'cat stories' rather than about rescued cats. January 31, 2017 deadline--so hurry!

6.  Stories About Dogs  Pretty much the same as the cat stories book. They want stories about rescued dogs--not just any dog. Another one to hurry on as deadline is January 31, 2017 (Note: both the cat and dog stories books have been on the call for submissions page for some time now)

7  Stories of Redemption   This new title needs stories of how you turned the negative in your life into something good. Lots of paths to take here for the August 31, 2017 deadline

Go to the Possible Books page for more detailed information. Be sure to also check the Guidelines page before you submit. When ready, submit through the form on this page.

Can You Write A Sexy Story?

I have an urgent call for submissions for you today. The Publishing Syndicate publishes an anthology series called Not Your Mother's Book on... They are in need of more stories for the newest title which will be Not Your Mother's Book on Sex.

No, they don't want raunchy tales but they do want some that are fun, maybe even a bit quirky. I think that perhaps writers are a bit reluctant to reveal this side of their life in a story that thousands will read. Most of us were taught that our sex life is a private thing. But you can write a good sex story without being too graphic.

One of my writer friends wrote one yesterday and sent it for my opinion. She had a funny story that was done just right. Not a blow by blow description of what occurred but enough to let the imagination of the reader take over. I did a minor editing and advised she send it in right away. I think it's a go!

So, where do you send these sexy stories? Go to this page for all the necessary info. Be sure to read the guidelines and about your choice of payment--either royalites or 10 books. Because this is a relatively new venture, the royalties are probably not going to amount to much. I have opted to take 10 books when I've been in one of their anthologies. Then again, it's always said in publishing circles that sex sells so maybe this one will be a bestseller!

This is one that you need to work on right away as the publishers are wanting to get this book in the works. Ponder on it today, pass the call along to other writer friends and send your stories.