Who Said Anthologies Don’t Sell?

I was recently told, by a few people who just might know, that anthologies are a tough sell, at best. I laughed each time I heard that, because, in every group of books I buy, at least one is a collection.

I recently read STRANGE BREW, edited by P.N. Elrod. It includes stories from Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs and other major and coming up paranormal authors. It was fun to read different snapshots from authors I love and to discover a series I want to read: Jenna Maclaine’s Cin Craven series.

I let my friend take MEAN STREETS with her on a trip overseas. What better to read on a plane with distractions galore than a book with a collection of stories? It’s hard to concentrate on a long novel, however lighthearted, but an anthology or quadology (as many romance anthologies have lately been produced as), can allow people to finish a book even in challenging outside circumstances.

There are so many others, full of authors that are fantastic. There are books with big names, mid-range names and up and coming authors. How else are you going to find out if you like a new author? Getting a new anthology lets you not only experience an author you might love, but get to know new ones. For example, I discovered Heather Graham through a Christmas anthology in 1988.

Or, let’s say you pick up a themed anthology (such as TERRIBLY TWISTED TALES), you will find new voices with new takes on the same general theme. You can truly see the breadth in literature when you pick up an anthology. They are learning experiences, not just a collection of stories brought together for no reason.

What are you favorite anthologies? What have you discovered by reading a collection of authors’ stories? Tell us in the comments!

Nicole