No co-authors were harmed (hired) while writing this blog post.
Let’s get straight to the point.
One thing that I can definitely state now is that there are countless self-publishing houses in India today. Each day (not really each day, but yes, on a regular basis) I see a publishing house emerging out of nowhere. Additionally, most of them are self-publishers. And what is their favorite hobby? Publishing a Paid Anthology!
The other day I was strolling in my Facebook group to find a dozen promotional posts done by the new self publishing houses. And some of them had the glorious (read terribly created) banners asking for writers to submit their stories to them and they’d publish them in an Anthology! Aww, they are giving the unrecognized writers an opportunity to publish their works! Sweet, right? Probably not.
They had a clause which stated the ‘Selected’ writers would need to pay them some amount to get published. In return the concerned publishing house hadn’t promised anything (except for editing the book which was done by some unknown bestselling(?) author). Not even basic marketing. Now you’d say that ‘Who would be that stupid to fall for their offer? We are grown up and mature writers!’ Well that’s where you go wrong. They published the Anthology with freaking 40 co-authors! And since then, I haven’t heard of the publishing house ever. Neither do I know the writers (ahem, Authors) who were published in that book.
So why do I not recommend participating in Paid Anthologies?
#The publishers show you false dreams.
Wanna be a Published Author? Who doesn’t want to, right? Well, that’s the string that they pull the young writers with.
Their meeting probably goes like this:
P1: Sir, no books to publish, sir…
P2: Hmm…
P1: So what should we do?
P2: Hmm…
P1: Speak, sir…
P2: We can do one thing!
P1: What, sir?
P2: Let’s publish an Anthology! Create a banner from some online site and post in the groups and ask money from the writers. Many writers are idiots anyway…we will get at least a few of them. Select all the entries and boom! We are rich!
P1: What an idea, sir…You are Gawd sir…charan sparsh, sir…
Well, long story short: They show those writers some dreams and get them on board. Promises, promises, promises. And while delivering, nothing.
Paid Anthologies (most of them) will not help you grow as a writer or author.
You read that right. Getting clamored in a pile of other writers that you don’t know can help you with nothing. You cannot get your works read the way you expected it to be read by the readers. Basically, zero growth towards your goal of becoming a renowned author.
Also read: How to Self Publish Books in India?
#Paid Anthologies in India: No one markets the book properly. Not even the publishers.
I have been a part of two anthologies till now. And I can tell that my co-authors didn’t put in the efforts for marketing the book. And after a while (after like two-three posts), even my publishers stopped promoting it. One of those anthologies had 4 sales! Well, all 4 of ’em books were bought by us authors anyway. Bleh.
So yeah, that’s a huge drawback of anthologies. The marketing strategies just don’t work (and the people don’t work as well).
#Here comes the money!
One of the most idiotic things with paid anthologies is that they ask money for publishing your story. So basically the writers who are participating are self-publishing the anthology. That means you are a bunch of new writers collectively giving money to…self publish books? Henh? I wonder why no one has ever raised that point till now.
Never should you pay money for your creativity. You should be paid instead. It’s different when you are self publishing your work. And it’s entirely different when you are self publishing your works in a you-never-knew-how-it-became-a-team team.
#So what is the best way to get published in a Paid Anthology?
JUST DON’T.
There are some publishing houses who follow ethical practices for publishing an anthology. But honestly, they are just a few. I am only against paid anthologies. Traditionally published anthologies could be good, but again, it depends. Don’t fall for these things. Grow strong and publish stronger.
That’s it for today. If you have any queries or feedback, mail me at contact@aniruddhapathak.com
Thank you and regards,
Aniruddha Pathak
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This is very informative. I have just started my writing journey and your posts seem to be the guidance I need. Just signed up for the newsletter.
Thanks, Sonia! I am delighted to know that you found my posts useful.
Thanks for subscribing to my newsletters too! I am grateful.
It’s actually true. Even I saw a few banners like that while scrolling facebook, but the information you have is going to help so many new authors not fall for them! Good work!
Thank you so much, Srishti!
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This is very usefull information
You have provided,i have just started writings before year,so this going to help new people like me.
Thank you
You’re very much welcome, Prashant!
P.S.: Apologies for QUITE a delayed response. 🙂
When I started to write on some writing app, I have so many offers for this kind of paid anthology, but when I asked them about my profit, they are quite and said if you want to publish your work then this way is only.. everyone is following. But I refused.
Extremely good decision, Happy. Anthologies that ask to pay don’t add much value to your author resume, unfortunately.
I wish I had read this a little earlier. I just paid today. What’s wrong with me?
Hi Debasmita, that’s completely okay! Now you’re informed better. I hope you grow up to a be a successful author! 🙂
Actually I was looking like this post in which I could find my all answers about anthology..There was so many queries in my mind but after reading this My mind is clear..
Thank U so much …It was very helpful..
I’m glad I could provide clarity on this topic to you, Tahrim. 🙂
damn! and here i am, thinking that the three paid anthologies i participated in are gonna make me famous xd i put so much effort into it, like girl bye-
That’s unfortunate, Saikriti. I’ve always despised my own decision of being part of a paid anthology. However, you only learn when you get an experience, so good for you! No publisher can fool you over this the next time such an offer comes. 🙂
Sir what about those anthologies which does not ask for any fees? I came across some of them and tried once. They did not ask for money if I was not willing to buy but still gave e-certificate for free after publication.
If they’re not asking to pay, there shouldn’t be a risk in participating in one, as long as you’re practicing your writing and striving to get better at it. 🙂
i just got an offer like this…and i just googled it to verify…and thankyou so much , this was indeed helpful …thank god!..i didnt fall into the trap
Yay! 🙂
Hi,
This is the information I was actually looking for. Yesterday, I got request to write 3 anthologies. They asked me to pay Rs 199, 300 and 150. However, I could not buy their idea of an author paying to get his or her creativity published in a book. Still, I was confused and your article helped me to make a decision.
Wonderful! It’s best to always stay away from such offers. They simply try to profit off of someone’s dream to be an author. Keep writing! 🙂
Sir, you wrote such a wonderful article and it just opened my eyes. I have a lot of young friends who are writers and are old enough to make decisions. Even they didn’t guide this 15 year old. I participated in an anthology where I got 3 poems published for 150. They said I can earn from it too. So, i am just wondering hat will happen now. The publication was TrueDreamster Publication. I don’t know how to find out if it is a well known publication. Plus, i am not on Instagram so I don’t know what sort of promotion they are doing.. ughhh help me sir!