Short Story Contest vs Short Story Anthology

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 11 Aug 2011, 21:06

Our previous short story contests on this website worked out fairly well.

But I also have this idea of accepting short story submissions, but instead of publishing them for free viewing, we could compile them into a small anthology to sell it. I'm think about 5 stories total. I think we would primarily sell it as an ebook but we could have a print-on-demand option for anyone who wants a hard-copy. Then I figure each author could get a small cut of the revenue for each book sold. It probably wouldn't be enough to make anyone rich, but I think it is no worse than having a chance at a single small prize.

The second way has more potential but also comes with a chance of failure, failure being that we sell almost no copies of the book. The contest is fairly simple and straightforward, a few people submit their stories and one gets selected as the best and is awarded $25.

My question for you, particularly for the writers on here who would be the ones who may be writing the short stories, is in which would rather participate? A short story contest or a short story anthology?

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 12 Aug 2011, 08:14

Between the devil and the deep blue sea.....I'd go for the straight forward competition since an anthology may be hard to flog.

What type of exposure are we talking about?

Hannellene · Post by **Hannellene** » 23 Sep 2011, 01:38

thanks for sharing .best regards.

mikejean · Post by **mikejean** » 17 Oct 2011, 09:14

thats the really nice story i like that

nothing0829 · Post by **nothing0829** » 20 Dec 2011, 03:38

Short Story Anthology is easier

ellie · Post by **ellie** » 01 Feb 2012, 12:25

I think a short story contest is better and I might write one and try it.

myfriend · Post by **myfriend** » 04 Mar 2012, 20:22

Nice article.

shaphat · Post by **shaphat** » 21 Mar 2012, 21:05

I think we couldtry the anthology at least once and see how it fares.

iamreadingit · Post by **iamreadingit** » 22 Jun 2012, 05:01

What will be the amount for prize? Are you to pay best writers in dollars?

lanscot · Post by **lanscot** » 19 Jul 2012, 03:02

thanks for share~useful

MelMariah · Post by **MelMariah** » 10 Nov 2012, 20:52

Anthology, not only is there the possibility of royalties, which could even add up to the amount of the original short story competition award, but you have the chance to be recognised. Even if its just another small author or publisher who either wants your help or you never know offer you something.
Get recognised people!!!

Quincy · Post by **Quincy** » 09 Jan 2013, 13:51

I would prefer the anthology as opposed to a contest. A published anthology means more exposure.

Sherelle · Post by **Sherelle** » 09 Mar 2013, 03:36

An anthology seems better, especially for a new author. The contest might be like grabbing at straws while the anthology would get the authors more exposure, and there is strength in numbers; someone might purchase the finished book because they are familiar with one of the published authors and in the process discover a new and great author!

r123 · Post by **r123** » 16 Mar 2013, 18:34

Definitely an anthology. We did one recently for charity and it did sell. It was called Writings from the Heart. It had writers from all over the world. It would definitely mean more exposure for ALL the writers involved. In a competition max 1-2 winners. And since I never win a competition I would certainly vote for an anthology

Gillshutt · Post by **Gillshutt** » 01 Apr 2013, 05:14

Submitting to an anthology is much like a competition... you win if it gets in the book. But there's more chance of winning than if it was a competition with three prizes as an anthology (I'm putting one together myself at the moment called Weird Legends) has twenty or so winners... more if it's short, short stories.