What Is an Anthology? Meaning, Types, & Anthology Examples

• May 07, 2025
• 5 min read

• Tags: Book Writing, Fiction, Fiction Writing

An anthology is like a mini library of the best literary works. Each work makes you think about a topic or theme in a different way. This blog explains the meaning and types of anthologies in simple language for beginners. 

To simplify the meaning and types of anthologies, we’ve included many examples of popular anthologies. So let’s begin with a basic anthology definition! 

What is an anthology book? 

An anthology is a collection of selected writings by different authors. These works often revolve around a common theme, genre, or time period. For example, they can center around a theme (e.g., love), a genre (e.g., fantasy), or a time period (e.g., the Renaissance era). 

Anthologies don’t have a common writing style. Instead, they help showcase different writing styles and perspectives of authors. 

Anthologies are commonly used in educational settings like schools and colleges. This allows students to compare and contrast different approaches authors apply to write about a common theme, historical period, genre, or subject. 

Popular examples of anthologies 

Each example of an anthology given below celebrates the creativity and versatility of diverse authors. Let’s quickly see these examples! 

1. The Oxford Book of American Short Stories

This anthology presents a selection of short stories by popular American writers. They include stories written by Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, Washington Irving, Kate Chopin, and Stephen King. The book is a great introduction to American literature.

2. Chicken Soup for the Soul

This series of anthologies features inspiring and heartwarming true stories about everyday people. The stories are short, easy to read, and cover a wide range of topics, from love and friendship to overcoming challenges.

3. The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry

This anthology book is a collection of poems from different time periods and cultures. It includes works from famous poets like Sylvia Plath, Ezra Pound, and Margaret Atwood, as well as lesser-known poets.

4. The Penguin Book of Modern Speeches 

This book brings together some of the most powerful and influential speeches. It includes speeches by political leaders and activists from around the world, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, and Mahatma Gandhi.

5. The Puffin Book of Stories for 5-year-olds 

Edited by Wendy Cooling, this book is designed specifically for young children who are just starting to read on their own. It contains a collection of short, simple stories that are easy to follow and understand. The stories are by a variety of authors and cover a range of topics, from animals and adventures to friendship and family. The anthology is beautifully illustrated and perfect for parents to read aloud to their children or for beginner readers to enjoy on their own.

Types of anthologies

There are two main types of anthologies: short-form and long-form. Long-form anthologies have longer pieces of writing, often much longer than 20,000 words. In comparison, short-form anthologies have shorter pieces, usually 20,000 words or less. 

While short-form anthologies are great for readers who like a quick read, long-form anthologies are good for readers who want to study longer works. 

Let’s explore the various subtypes of anthologies! 

1. Poetry anthologies: These books gather poems from different poets, often organized around a theme, style, or time period. A poem anthology might focus on love poems, nature poems, or works from a specific country or era. 

2. Short story anthologies: These collections feature short stories from various authors. They can revolve around a genre like science fiction, horror, or romance. Alternatively, they might include stories from a particular group of writers or time period.

3. Essay anthologies: These books compile non-fiction essays from different writers. An essay anthology is often centered on a specific theme or topic, such as travel, politics, or personal experiences.

4. Textbook anthologies: These collections are specifically designed for use in courses. They feature works that illustrate specific literary techniques, themes, or historical periods.

5. Regional anthologies: These books collect works from writers in a specific geographic region, such as the American South, the Caribbean, or East Africa. 

6. LGBTQ+ anthologies: These collections gather works by and about LGBTQ+ individuals. They often focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ writers. 

7. Women’s anthologies: These books compile works written by women. Their aim is often to recognize women writers of a particular period. 

8. Picture book story collections: These anthologies gather short stories for children, often accompanied by colorful illustrations.

Commonly used literary themes in anthologies 

One of the most common themes of anthologies is identity and self-discovery. These anthologies can cover topics like race, gender, sexuality, culture, and personal growth.

Some other commonly used themes are: 

1. Love and relationships 

These might include stories about romantic love, family bonds, friendships, or even the complexities of difficult relationships. The works in these anthologies often examine the joys, challenges, and emotions that come with human connections. 

2. Social and political issues

Some anthologies focus on social and political themes, gathering works that examine issues like inequality, discrimination, justice, or human rights. These collections might include stories, essays, or inspiring poems that shed light on the experiences of marginalized communities, explore the impacts of historical events, or call for social change.

3. Nature and environment

Many anthologies celebrate the beauty and importance of the natural world. These collections might include works about animals, plants, landscapes, or the relationship between humans and the environment. 

4. Courage and resilience

Anthologies often showcase stories of courage and resilience, featuring characters or real people who have faced and overcome challenges. These works might explore themes of perseverance, hope, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

5. Humor and satire

Some anthologies aim to entertain and amuse readers by collecting humorous or satirical works. These might include funny short stories, witty essays, or parody poetry that pokes fun at society, politics, or everyday life.

6. Mythology and folklore

Anthologies may also gather stories and poems that draw on the rich traditions of various cultures around the world. These collections might retell classic tales, explore the symbolism and meaning behind mythological figures, or showcase how these stories continue to resonate with modern readers.

7. War and conflict

Some anthologies explore the themes of war and conflict, collecting works that examine the experiences of soldiers, civilians, and communities affected by violence and unrest. These collections might include historical accounts, personal essays, or fictional stories that shed light on the human costs of war and the search for peace.

Best strategies for contributing to anthologies 

One of the best strategies is to participate in writing contests and challenges. Many writing communities and organizations offer writing challenges or contests throughout the year, often with specific themes or prompts. The winning entries are often published in an anthology. 

1. Experiment with different submission strategies  

Experiment with submitting to anthologies in different genres, styles, or themes to see where your work resonates most. You can also try submitting shorter or longer pieces, or pieces that showcase different aspects of your writing skills.

2. Utilize writing prompts and exercises 

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your submission, try using writing prompts or exercises related to the anthology’s theme. Many anthologies provide specific prompts or guidelines to help inspire and direct your writing. You can also find general writing prompts online or in writing craft books to get your creative juices flowing.

3. Seek feedback from beta readers 

Before submitting your work, consider sharing it with a group of beta readers, such as fellow writers or avid readers in your target audience. Ask for their honest feedback on your piece’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall effectiveness. Use their insights to revise and polish your work before submitting it to the anthology.

How to create an anthology? 

To create an anthology, first, decide the central theme or genre for the anthology. Then, establish clear guidelines for submissions, including word count, formatting, content restrictions, and deadline. You also need to decide whether you will accept previously published works or only original, unpublished pieces. 

Once you decide on these steps, you need to take a call on how writers can submit their entries. This can be through post, email, a submission form on the website, or submission management platforms like Submittable or DuoTrope. 

Then, you need to perform the following steps: 

• Announce a call for submissions

Share your call for submissions on your website, social media, and writing communities or forums. Reach out to writers, poets, or essayists you know and invite them to contribute submissions.

• Review and select submissions 

Read through all the submissions carefully, keeping your theme and quality standards in mind. Select the pieces that best fit your vision for the anthology and showcase a diverse range of voices and perspectives.

• Notify the anthology’s contributors 

Thank all contributors for their submissions. Notify the contributors whose works have been selected via email or call that their works have been selected. 

• Create the anthology 

Write an introduction to the anthology that explains its theme, purpose, and significance. Arrange the pieces in a logical order that flows well and creates a cohesive reading experience. 

How to publish an anthology? 

To publish an anthology, you first need to edit the content you’ve received for the anthology. 

Work with the selected contributors to edit and refine their pieces as needed. You can also consider partnering with professional editing services to refine your anthology. 

You also need to perform the following steps: 

• Design and format the book 

Choose a visually appealing cover design that reflects the anthology’s theme and tone. Format the interior of the book, including the table of contents, contributor bios, and any additional front or back matter. You can hire book cover design services and book formatting services for this step. 

• Choose a publishing path 

Decide whether you want to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing for your anthology. Research different publishing options and their requirements, costs, and distribution channels. If self-publishing, choose a reliable print-on-demand service or eBook platform. 

• Set pricing and other details 

If you’re publishing your book both as an eBook and as a physical copy, decide the pricing for both. Also, create an attractive book description and book blurb and decide the tags and categories for your book. 

• Distribute your book on online and offline platforms 

Distribute your book through platforms like Amazon KDP, Lulu, IngramSpark, Apple Pages, Kobo Writing Life, etc. Also, use platforms like OverDrive to reach a larger audience. Plus, you can reach out to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers to distribute your anthology.

•  Promote your anthology

Some simple marketing strategies you can use are: 

• Create a marketing plan to promote the anthology through social media, book reviews, and events. 
• Encourage contributors to share the anthology with their networks and audiences.
• Consider offering readings, signings, or workshops to generate interest and engage with readers.

To conclude, anthologies are a great way to explore the world of literature and discover new authors. They bring together a mix of voices and styles from different times and places. If you love reading or writing, anthologies are a perfect starting point.

PaperTrue’s editing and proofreading services can help take your writing to the next level. Our professional editors will fix any language mistakes and give you detailed suggestions to improve your work.

Interested in our services? Contact us for more information! 

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.