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How to Sell an Anthology

You have a killer idea for an anthology. The theme is strong, and you have some "name" authors attached to it. You're halfway there. Now you have to find a publisher that will option the book. Anthologies can be hard sells; they're relatively expensive to publish and are not big moneymakers. But there are publishers willing to take them on. If presented in the right way, yours could be next.

Instructions

    • 1

      Include a few stories. It would be best to have one or two of these stories from a well-known author. This will show a publisher the potential of the anthology idea. If you can't get commitments from "name" authors, at least get blurbs from them.

    • 2

      Write a proposal. Detail the anthology idea, the authors who have committed and those you will be pursuing. Mention how many stories the book will contain and how you will market the anthology.

    • 3

      Submit the proposal and a couple of stories to publishers who accept anthologies. Start with bigger publishing houses and work down to the smaller presses. If you have sold other anthologies, mention this in a cover letter.

    • 4

      Consider finding an agent. Agents can get the proposal to publishers you might not be able to reach yourself. Some publishers do not accept unagented manuscripts.

    • 5

      Network. Attend writers conventions and conferences, approach authors and agents and mention it on writer's blogs and in chat rooms.

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