Sometimes you don’t feel like reading a whole-length novel. However, you also become obsessed with similar themes, ideas, and subjects.
The answer? Read an anthology. In most cases, these collected works share something that connects them together despite being written by different authors, of varying forms, or tackling dissimilar issues.
What is an Anthology?
An anthology is simply a collection of writings that share similar elements. It may be a compilation of essays, poems, short stories, song lyrics, and even excerpts by various authors.
In genre fiction, an anthology is understood as a collection of shorter works (such as short stories or novellas) by different authors and published into a single volume. These stories are not related by plot or characters but by the concepts behind them.
If the works are by the same author, it’s more accurate to call it a collection instead of an anthology. A collection that contains the author’s entire body of work is called a complete work.
The concept of an anthology isn’t limited to literature. It is also seen in film, television, radio, and video games but is referred to as an anthology series.
The term comes from the Greek word “anthologia”, which means “collection of flowers.”
Examples of Anthologies
Here are some famous examples of anthologies that have captivated many readers and introduced them to new voices.
1. Chicken Soup for the Soul
The Chicken Soup for the Soul series are perennial bestsellers ever since they came out decades ago. It focuses on short, inspirational, memoir-style stories of ordinary people’s lives.
The overall theme changes from book to book. There are volumes dedicated to teenagers, pet lovers, mothers, fathers, various occupations, and more.
2. The Norton Anthology of World Literature
This anthology pulls together a selection of works that have defied centuries and crossed continents. From East to West, it features works of varying genres from authors that come from many backgrounds.
3. Dangerous Visions
Dangerous Visions is the anthology that forever changed the science fiction landscape, featuring stories with a no-holds-barred to sex, drugs, and other adult themes. Groundbreaking in many ways, it led writers to experiment, leading to the rise of the New Wave movement.
4. American Gothic Tales
Spanning two centuries of American literature, this anthology examines how gothic fiction views the world through the works of over 40 writers. From the cosmic horrors of Lovecraft to the twisted worlds of King, these are stories that exhibit the strength of the gothic and the inadequacy of genre labels.
5. The Best American Short Stories
Since 1915, the Best American Short Stories (BASS) has searched, collected, and published the best short stories that contemporary American literature could offer. Every year, a guest editor is brought in to choose which stories are included in the current edition.
6. The Best Poems of the English Language
Literary critic Harold Bloom presents you with his choice of poems from British and American literature. Each is chosen strictly by an unshakeable criteria: the work’s wisdom, aesthetic splendor, and intellectual power.
From Geoffrey Chaucer to T.S. Eliot, Bloom provides a well-rounded commentary on works that span a period of six centuries. He heavily annotates this volume, introducing each poet and discussing many individual works.
The Purpose of an Anthology
Anthologies have a strong presence in the publishing world due to its flexibility and ease of experience. You can assemble one purely with big name writers, mix in a few who are just starting out, or play around with the the theme or concept that links them all together.
Fledgling writers gain much by contributing to anthologies. Their works are published alongside veterans, and as such, have a higher chance of being read through mere association. They may also earn money (as a one-time fee or from royalties) and prestige as more readers become aware of them.
Veterans can use them as advertisements and to bolster their presence. Anthologies can act as funnels that lead readers to exploring more of their works, leading to more sales. Or they can use it as a way to exercise their craft.
Meanwhile, publishers use it to introduce new names to their audience. By mixing in unknown writers with popular ones, they ensure that people will still buy these anthologies and hopefully become fans of these new writers.
Lastly, readers are able to experience writers and stories that they would have likely ignored. They don’t get bored reading, as each entry is its own story—just loosely linked to the others by an underlying theme. It’s also convenient to have stories that are connected by an element that you’re interested in reading.
What’s your favorite anthology in literature? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
