Why Anthologies? A guest post by Henry Herz

What is an anthology?

While a short story collection is a group of stories written by a single author, a genre fiction anthology is a group of stories typically sharing a common theme and genre, but written by different authors. Some may also include poetry or essays. Yo can think of them as a magazine or literary journal. Well-known examples of anthologies are the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, the Norton Anthology of World Literature series, and the Best American Short Stories series.

The word itself has a lyrical origin, deriving from the Greek word, anthologic, literally “a collection of blossoms.” A bouquet! This label referenced one of the earliest known anthologies, the Garland, which in its introduction, compares each of its contributing poets to a flower.

Why read anthologies?

One advantage of anthologies (and short story collections) over novels is brevity. Some people prefer a quick read they can dive into and finish in one session. Sort of like a 20-minute TV episode rather than a three-hour long movie. And if one story is not resonating with you, you can skip to the next one without tossing the entire book. Or, you may be a huge fan of a particular subgenre like steampunk or cozy horror, and want to sample as much as you can.

Are there other reasons?

Sure. Anthologies are the literary equivalent to a buffet dinner. They offer a wide selection of different perspectives (both in story telling and in personal background) and writing styles on the same theme. This gives readers opportunities to discover new authors who may be talented by less well known than bestsellers. If you like an author’s story, you may really enjoy reading a novel by them.

Are there reasons to write for anthologies?

Absolutely. Anthologies also provide opportunities for writers of short stories. Any writing endeavor will hone your writing skills and possibly try writing for a new market or genre. Anthologies offer a vehicle for becoming published that takes less effort and time that writing an entire novel. There is, of course, the benefit of receiving pay for your story. In addition to boosting a writer’s portfolio and exposure to more readers, anthologies can also aid beginner writers by associating them with well-known authors. This can lead to secondary benefits like networking with and possibly learning from more experienced writers. And perhaps your short story can serve to introduce a novel you’ve written.

What anthologies have you edited?

In addition to writing short stories, I’ve curated and edited eight anthologies:

Beyond the Pale – adult dark fantasy (self-published)

Coming of Age: 13 B’Nai Mitzvah Stories – middle grade fiction (Albert Whitman & Co.)

The Hitherto Secret Experiments of Marie Curie – young adult dark speculative fiction (Blackstone Publishing)

Red Stars and Shattered Shields – adult science fiction (Yuriko Publishing)

Wink – young adult contemporary fantasy (Brigids Gate Press)

The Festival of Lights – middle grade fiction (Albert Whitman & Co.)

Combat Monsters – adult alternative history / dark speculative fiction (Blackstone Publishing)

Death Maidens: Off-duty Valkyries – adult urban fantasy (Penguin RandomHouse)

Tell us more about your two YA anthologies.

The Hitherto Secret Experiments of Marie Curie explores the idea that the (historical) personal tragedies suffered by teenage Marie led her to apply her brilliant mind and indomitable spirit toward more nefarious ends. For example, my story shows her trying to use science (at night in a makeshift lab she creates in a cemetery) to reverse the death from disease by her dear mother and sister. It’s a mashup of Pet Sematary and Ratman’s Notebooks (aka Willard). The anthology features stories from NY Times bestsellers Stacia Deutsch, Sarah Beth Durst, Alethea Kontis, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Scott Sigler, and a poem by Jane Yolen.

Wink imagines childhood classic stories (like The Giving Tree, Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, The Velveteen Rabbit, and so on) told through the lens of YA fantasy and science fiction. For example, my story “winks” at Frog and Toad, as a reptile-obsessed teenager receives help on his science fair project from two froglike alien visitors. The anthology features stories from NY Times bestsellers Kendare Blake, Stacia Deutsch, Nancy Holder, Alethea Kontis, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, and Maggie Stiefvater.

So, get busy reading an anthology… and if inspiration strikes, writing short stories!

Meet the author

Henry Herz has written for Daily Science Fiction, Weird Tales, Pseudopod, Metastellar, Titan Books, Highlights for Children, Ladybug Magazine, and anthologies from Albert Whitman, Blackstone Publishing, Third Flatiron, Brigids Gate Press, Air and Nothingness Press, Baen Books, and elsewhere. He’s edited eight anthologies and written fourteen picture books. 

Links

https://www.henryherz.com

https://x.com/HenryLHerz

https://www.instagram.com/henry_herz/

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