From SCRATCH to ANTHOLOGY

In the YA literature world, anthologies are having a moment. We’ve seen a solid array of topics, both fiction and nonfiction, hit the shelves in the last few years, with even more exciting titles coming. As an anthologist and editor, it’s refreshing to see such interest and enthusiasm from readers, as well as from fellow writers who are interested in trying their hands at creating a collection. But where do you start?

After editing two highly acclaimed and successful anthologies, with a third forthcoming in 2020, here’s what I’ve learned and discovered about the process of developing an outline which will become the proposal for the collection.

Research and Get Clear on Your Topic

Before anything else, do your research. With a big topic in mind, it’s necessary to see what else already exists on the market. This not only gives comparative titles, but it also gives powerful insight into where holes and opportunities exist for your collection. It’s worthwhile to at least read the introductions of each comp title as well as skim through the collections as a whole in order to get a sense of the work that another editor put into its creation. Not all comps will be anthologies, and that’s OK. These will be useful in your own outlining and thinking