Have you ever considered anthologies and/or collaborations as a venue for your writing career? Generally, we don’t think about them or even fully understand them, but they are an option that should be considered by any author, especially a new one, that wants to move forward and expand their writing expertise.

A collaboration is generally two or more authors working together for a specific project. It may be one person that actually writes the document with others contributing thought and/or content. Whereas an anthology generally consists of multiple authors, each writing a specific story – usually along the same subject line – but in their own telling. (Think of the book, The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood.) The stories are then compiled into one final book of short stories. An anthology is a great read for people who don’t have enough time to dedicate to reading a lengthy novel but do have a couple of hours to read a story or two.

Should you take part in writing an anthology? There are a few things to consider. If you are a new unpublished author, one who enjoys participating in a team project and would like to get your feet wet by getting your name published, then maybe this is a way for you to do it. If the anthology becomes a best seller – usually because there is at least one well known contributing author – then it is definitely a great way to introduce your writing skills to your future readers.

Anthologies are great for authors who need help with marketing and are trying to build their reader base. But don’t kid yourself, you are going to have to work at making it happen. You have to share your experience, talk about the project to others to promote the book. This isn’t a project for authors who are lazy and expect everyone else to do the work while you sun yourself. That just can’t happen. 

In addition to the writing project, it will be necessary for you to develop a social media presence whether you want to or not. I know some fledgling authors don’t like social media and think they don’t have time for it, but you have to get over that and build a following on social media including Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and whatever other platforms that are available. Consider it an investment in your future and your success.