Anthology collection or no?

webbdesigns · 01-10-2016, 06:36 PM

I just published my first episode of a serial I'm writing. By the time I'm done, the number of episodes will total around 20 or so. Should I group five or six of these in anthologies as I go along or just lump them into one big collection?

Cinisajoy · 01-10-2016, 06:55 PM

It will not be an anthology. An anthology is a collection of different stories.
You will be doing an omnibus.
Please learn to use the correct terms if you want to be a successful author.

cromag · 01-10-2016, 07:57 PM

I think this type of release is commonly called a serial novel. Partial groupings aren't anthologies, and potential readers would be disappointed if they thought they were buying a true anthology: a collection of individual, complete stories. I know I would! You could package them as collections and name them appropriately, like

My Serial Novel -- Collection 1, Episodes 1-5.

Make sure the name reflects the contents. People who've bought the individual Episodes will be very annoyed if they then buy Collection 1 without knowing they're getting duplicates.

Pulpmeister · 01-10-2016, 08:31 PM

I thought an anthology was a book of stories by different authors, while a collection was a book of stories by the same author. So The Year's Best SF is an anthology, but The Green Hills of Earth, all by Heinlein, is a collection.

But perhaps that usage is obsolete.

cromag · 01-10-2016, 11:16 PM

According to Dictionary.com, both usages are correct.

Quote:

noun, plural anthologies.

1. a book or other collection of selected writings by various authors, usually in the same literary form, of the same period, or on the same subject:
an anthology of Elizabethan drama; an anthology of modern philosophy.

2. a collection of selected writings by one author.

I've always used it to refer to a collection with some sort of unifying theme, which could be a single author, a single genre, a common year of publication, etc.

webbdesigns · 01-11-2016, 01:31 PM

They are both correct, and it drives me nuts when people like Cinisajoy are condescending over something like this.

Thank you to the rest of you, though. Cromag, I am using the term serial in addition to anthology. I was going to include the phrase "Episode 1" in the title, but didn't have that intention when I had my cover made, so I'll have to have it updated (Amazon doesn't like extra words in titles unless it's on the cover.

Cinisajoy · 01-11-2016, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbdesigns

They are both correct, and it drives me nuts when people like Cinisajoy are condescending over something like this.

Thank you to the rest of you, though. Cromag, I am using the term serial in addition to anthology. I was going to include the phrase "Episode 1" in the title, but didn't have that intention when I had my cover made, so I'll have to have it updated (Amazon doesn't like extra words in titles unless it's on the cover.

I am not being condescending. I am just trying to help you actually maybe sell some books. And your use of the word anthology will immediately turn off readers.

I'll make you a deal. I will look at your book. And I will come back with a very honest opinion.

Cinisajoy · 01-11-2016, 02:07 PM

I just read your little short story.
Amazingly you do have potential. I still think collection will work better than anthology.
I have seen Sherlock Holmes collections and the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes but never a Sherlock Holmes Anthology.
I also do not think you should call them part 1 or episodes as they are complete stories.

Now in a full size book, your first two chapters might have been tolerable. They were a bit boring and seemed to drag on. Since I was expecting a mystery or a thriller, I wanted some action. As to the actual story, it was pretty good except for the narrator interrupting to give an opinion.

Since the stories are so short, I would advise you get several more written and put them all in one book.
Call it "Adventures of the Right Hand Man."

I think with good marketing, you might make it.

webbdesigns · 01-11-2016, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it.

Cinisajoy · 01-11-2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbdesigns

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it.

Thanks for being actually readable. That is getting to be rare.

Dr. Drib · 01-11-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbdesigns

They are both correct, and it drives me nuts when people like Cinisajoy are condescending over something like this.

Thank you to the rest of you, though. Cromag, I am using the term serial in addition to anthology. I was going to include the phrase "Episode 1" in the title, but didn't have that intention when I had my cover made, so I'll have to have it updated (Amazon doesn't like extra words in titles unless it's on the cover.

Before you accuse anyone of being condescending, perhaps you should try to cool it a bit.

Don
(Moderator)

gmw · 01-12-2016, 08:04 AM

Actually, I thought "Amazingly you do have potential." did come over as a bit condescending

, though that wasn't what was being complained about. As far as I can see, Cinisajoy's input, aside from that lapse, have all been excellent and aimed at being helpful.

According to the OED, "anthology" was originally a "collection of flowers of verse [...] by various authors" that has since been "extended to other literary collections". Notice that the common word in all these definitions is "collection". Without explicit qualification, "collection" does not imply any relationship between the items in the collection. It does not, technically, deny a possible relationship, and anthologies are often put together using stories matching some theme, but the common inference remains: the pieces are not otherwise related.

If you want people reading the title to assume the book contains a collection of unrelated stories then use "anthology". If that's not what you want then choose some other phrasing.

gmw · 01-12-2016, 08:16 AM

As to the real question of the OP:

If each episode stands well on its own (albeit with the need to read them in order) then splitting the collection into multiple volumes is probably fine, and would work well with the idea that you might make the first one free or much cheaper.

If, however, the over-arching story is a significant part of each episode, and reading order is critical, I would be inclined to put them together in one volume. To do otherwise risks alienating your readers.

eschwartz · 01-12-2016, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbdesigns

They are both correct, and it drives me nuts when people like Cinisajoy are condescending over something like this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbdesigns

I just published my first episode of a serial I'm writing. By the time I'm done, the number of episodes will total around 20 or so. Should I group five or six of these in anthologies as I go along or just lump them into one big collection?

"Episodes of a serial" does not match the word "anthology".

Cinisajoy is correct.

By using/including the word "anthology", you are indicating to potential purchasers that it is a collection of standalone works with some sort of common theme.

For instance, a collection of short stories set in the same world as a long-running series (many authors do this).
Or, a collection of stories by different authors.

You are not the latter.
You *may* be the former, but not according to the description you gave in your OP.

You sound like you are publishing Part 1, Part 2, Part xx of a single story. That is certainly not an anthology!

If I were to buy an "anthology", and then discover that it doesn't match the generally accepted concept of "anthologies", I would return it if possible and not buy anything else by that author.

HarryT · 01-19-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I have seen Sherlock Holmes collections and the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes but never a Sherlock Holmes Anthology.

Here's one for you to see:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mammoth-Sher.../dp/B003DQ4WN4

01-10-2016, 06:36 PM	#1
webbdesigns Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2016 Device: none	Anthology collection or no? I just published my first episode of a serial I'm writing. By the time I'm done, the number of episodes will total around 20 or so. Should I group five or six of these in anthologies as I go along or just lump them into one big collection?

01-10-2016, 07:57 PM	#3
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,046 Karma: 459735575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I think this type of release is commonly called a serial novel. Partial groupings aren't anthologies, and potential readers would be disappointed if they thought they were buying a true anthology: a collection of individual, complete stories. I know I would! You could package them as collections and name them appropriately, like My Serial Novel -- Collection 1, Episodes 1-5. Make sure the name reflects the contents. People who've bought the individual Episodes will be very annoyed if they then buy Collection 1 without knowing they're getting duplicates. Last edited by cromag; 01-10-2016 at 08:00 PM.

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01-10-2016, 06:55 PM	#2
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	It will not be an anthology. An anthology is a collection of different stories. You will be doing an omnibus. Please learn to use the correct terms if you want to be a successful author.

01-10-2016, 08:31 PM	#4
Pulpmeister Wizard Posts: 2,791 Karma: 29144810 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle	I thought an anthology was a book of stories by different authors, while a collection was a book of stories by the same author. So The Year's Best SF is an anthology, but The Green Hills of Earth, all by Heinlein, is a collection. But perhaps that usage is obsolete.

01-11-2016, 01:31 PM	#6
webbdesigns Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2016 Device: none	They are both correct, and it drives me nuts when people like Cinisajoy are condescending over something like this. Thank you to the rest of you, though. Cromag, I am using the term serial in addition to anthology. I was going to include the phrase "Episode 1" in the title, but didn't have that intention when I had my cover made, so I'll have to have it updated (Amazon doesn't like extra words in titles unless it's on the cover.

01-11-2016, 02:07 PM	#8
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	I just read your little short story. Amazingly you do have potential. I still think collection will work better than anthology. I have seen Sherlock Holmes collections and the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes but never a Sherlock Holmes Anthology. I also do not think you should call them part 1 or episodes as they are complete stories. Now in a full size book, your first two chapters might have been tolerable. They were a bit boring and seemed to drag on. Since I was expecting a mystery or a thriller, I wanted some action. As to the actual story, it was pretty good except for the narrator interrupting to give an opinion. Since the stories are so short, I would advise you get several more written and put them all in one book. Call it "Adventures of the Right Hand Man." I think with good marketing, you might make it.

01-11-2016, 02:19 PM	#9
webbdesigns Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2016 Device: none	Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it.

01-12-2016, 08:04 AM	#12
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	Actually, I thought "Amazingly you do have potential." did come over as a bit condescending , though that wasn't what was being complained about. As far as I can see, Cinisajoy's input, aside from that lapse, have all been excellent and aimed at being helpful. According to the OED, "anthology" was originally a "collection of flowers of verse [...] by various authors" that has since been "extended to other literary collections". Notice that the common word in all these definitions is "collection". Without explicit qualification, "collection" does not imply any relationship between the items in the collection. It does not, technically, deny a possible relationship, and anthologies are often put together using stories matching some theme, but the common inference remains: the pieces are not otherwise related. If you want people reading the title to assume the book contains a collection of unrelated stories then use "anthology". If that's not what you want then choose some other phrasing.

01-12-2016, 08:16 AM	#13
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	As to the real question of the OP: If each episode stands well on its own (albeit with the need to read them in order) then splitting the collection into multiple volumes is probably fine, and would work well with the idea that you might make the first one free or much cheaper. If, however, the over-arching story is a significant part of each episode, and reading order is critical, I would be inclined to put them together in one volume. To do otherwise risks alienating your readers.

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