Anthologies have been around for quite awhile, but I didn’t think about writing for them until I learned that Blooming Tree Press was looking for Christmas stories for children. I submitted two stories and both were accepted. That was the most exciting time of my writing experience. I had been submitting to various children’s magazines, but to have my stories in a BOOK …! I talked with the editor on the telephone. I received the proofs, news release, posters, bookmarks, and two copies of Mistletoe Madness. I received a check.

The next year Blooming Tree Press asked for summer stories for Summer Shorts. Only one of the four that I’d submitted was chosen. Each time I was paid for my work and able to order books at a reduced price.

The children’s magazine market seems to be dwindling as one by one ceases publication, thus more competition. Rather than curl up with a good book or magazine, today’s children are being entertained by television, hand-held games, cell-phone text messages, and other electronic devices.

Of course there’s the book market. However, with the book publishers overloaded in manuscripts, what are my chances of having a book published? I understand stand-alone books by an unknown author get lost in the shuffle.

What’s left? Anthologies. I don’t expect to get rich writing for anthologies, but once the book is out that’s where my responsibility ends. I’ll admit that in my excitement over Mistletoe Madness, I personally sold many copies to friends, but I wasn’t expected to promote the book.

Not all anthologies are created equal. Payment for stories varies from no payment, to copies of the book, to a check in the mail.

A few years ago a local author called for memories of the New York State Fair. I submitted a couple memories. Both were used, but all I got was a byline and an offer to buy the book at retail price. No money paid, nor an offer to buy the book at a reduced price.

I answered a call for stories about a time when God met a special need. In 1991 my mother passed away unexpectedly and my brother was seriously injured in an automobile accident and his daughter killed. One day I stopped at the cemetery to check my parents’ grave and tears flowed as I thought about all that had happened recently. When I got back in the car to go home, the radio came on with a song I’d never heard before and only once since then. “Your Father understands. He knows what you’re going through.” It was exactly what I needed at the time. I wrote up my experience and submitted it to Macro Moments. It was accepted and this time I received only a copy of the book, When God Steps In.

However, everybody’s story had been changed from first person to third person and no bylines were given. I hadn’t received proofs as I had from the Blooming Tree Press books, so I was quite surprised at how some of the facts in my story had changed. Since no bylines were given, the person who put the whole thing together is considered to be the author and all credit, as well as royalties, go to her.

Since then, I’ve read other books with collections of stories. Only first names are given and no byline, so I assume that’s not unusual.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators published an article in their November-December 2006 issue, under the heading “Writer Beware—A Warning From the Literary Front Line.” Nikki Grimes stated that she submitted a poem for an anthology. It was accepted and she received payment for it. When the book was published, she learned that her name was on the spine. Only her bio appeared on the back flap. It was if it were her book, receiving royalties on it. The publisher refused to make any further payments to her—at least at the time she had written the article.

Other than the Blooming Tree Press books, most anthologies ask for personal non-fiction experiences. The Ultimate Books called for stories about the Ultimate Teacher. I remembered my eighth grade teacher and how I believe she was the one who inspired me to write. My story didn’t make it. Now Cup of Comfort is looking for teacher stories. I read the guidelines—they want stories, not essays. Oh, oh! Guess my Ultimate Teacher was written as an essay. I worked and reworked that until I feel I had it down to a story, omitting some of the history, background, etc.

What’s the difference? A story tells a story. An incident. A beginning, middle, and end. In my rewrite I told about Mrs. Bristol reading my compositions aloud and asking if they were true. I wrote about visiting her after all these years and giving her a copy of Mistletoe Madness. I deleted the part about her husband in the service (WW II) and the different projects she gave us to do. I left out anything that didn’t have to do with her encouraging me to write. That is my story.

Will it make the final cut? I don’t know. Meredith O’Hayre, Project Manager for A Cup of Comfort series states that they receive between 2,000 and 5,000 submissions from which they have to choose 60—100 for each book.

Read the guidelines carefully. Do they want stories or essays? Watch the word count. If they ask for 1,000—1,500 words, don’t submit 500 words or 2,500.

Even if you are successful in either writing for magazines or books, consider the anthology market. Borrowing from Paula Danziger’s title of Make Like A Tree and Leave, I say “Make like an elephant and work for peanuts.”

The following are a few anthologies looking for stories. Check out the guidelines and themes and start writing. Maybe I’ll see you in one of these books.

Stories For Children Magazine http://storiesforchildrentripod.com/
Stories For Children is a non-paying on-line market, but at the end of the year they select and pay for top stories, articles, poems and illustrations to be included in a Best of Anthology.

Chicken Soup For The Soul www.chickensoupforthesoul.com
A Cup of Comfort http://cupofcomfort.com/CallForSubmissions/
Ultimate Books www.ultimatehcibooks.com
Thin Threads – Stories of Life Changing Moments www.thinthreads.com
Patchwork Path http://patchworkpath.com/