Anthologies are a great way to get your foot in the door. They are more likely to be sold at bookstores than literary journals. Some are taught in classrooms. They look great on a resume and they can help establish a working relationship with a particular press.
All anthologies are themed. Sometimes the theme is more about the contributor than the work itself (such as the Best New Poets anthology series), other times the theme is the subject that ties all the poems together, such as politics, violence, or Star Trek.
Below are three anthologies currently open to unsolicited submissions from writers. None of these anthologies require submitting fees.
Untitled “Moon Themed” Anthology published by Two Of Cups Press
Leigh Anne Hornfeldt & Teneice Durrant are editing an as of yet untitled “moon themed” poetry anthology. They are currently seeking poetry submissions in which the moon makes an appearance. The poem does not have to be about the moon but it must make a reference to the moon in some way, however obscurely. Poets should email 1-3 poems in the body of an email to the press by February 14th, 2015. Submissions through the post are also accepted .The expected publication date of the anthology is April 2015. If your work is accepted, you will receive a contributor copy. To learn more or to submit, visit their website here: http://twoofcupspress.wordpress.com/current-submission-call/
What I Have Learned From My Mother (title will change) — published by Blue Lobster Press
This anthology is focused on collecting stories, both funny and serious, about mothers. The anthology is currently titled “What I Have Learned From My Mother” but that title will be changed before the anthology is published. Work must be submitted before January 30th 2015. The anthology should be published around Mother’s day in 2014. They pay contributors $100 for their submissions after publishing expenses are recouped. In the past this has happened in less than 2 months. Also a bonus program is available to those who actively market the book.
Blue Lobster Press currently has three open calls for submissions. So even if this anthology does not fit with your work, one of the others might. To learn more, visit their website here: http://www.bluelobsterbookco.com/open-for-early-2015-submissions/
Beware The Little White Rabbit – Leap Books
Leap books is going to publish a YA Alice themed anthology to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. All short stories should be focused on a young adult audience and include a protagonist named Alice and a stuffed white rabbit whose appearance signifies the beginning of an adventure. Submissions should be between 4,000-6,000 words in length. Any sub genre (such as science fiction) is acceptable.
Submissions are due by November 15th and the word Alice should be included in your emails heading. The lineup for the anthology will be announced December 15th. All authors who meet revision and deadline requirements will receive 50 dollars.
To learn all the details, visit their website here: http://leapbks.blogspot.ca/2014/09/leap-down-rabbit-hole-with-us.html
