Can a mod feature this blog on the Forums page?

I agree that anthos can be the place for experiments, for trying out the unusual, for giving yourself space. They certainly have been for me. Why else would I've made my first ever entry a quasi film script retelling of a kind of mediaeval fairy tale? 👀🤨😄 The Bard's Tale is still around, if you feel curious. Another theme brought forth Willpower, a story of love denied against a backdrop of Alzheimer's which remains a story of which I am most proud.

Having said all that, if a HEA romance grabs you - great. There's always the freedom to make of a theme whatever you will. 

Anthologies for me, are a way to experiment as well. Following a theme and interpreting it has always been fun, although I am bad with writing deadlines. It is a way for newer people to push their storytelling towards a deadline and learning how to deal with all of those nerves. My first anthology was decades ago, and I remember being nervous, it was the first standalone story I wrote that was listed as a collective with other authors. Anthologies are decent for learning and expression, if you're like me and only write one general genre or two, then participating in the anthologies gives you an excuse to branch out. Instead of committing to a larger project, they provide you with an avenue to challenge yourself without stretching yourself long-term. Also, I am not a poetry writer at all, but I participated with a few poems and that allowed me to be more comfortable writing in general, just because I got feedback on those works. Nothing can be more personal than a poem and if you want to dive headfirst and break down that door and try poetry the Anthologies themes can be helpful for that. 

You can also springboard ideas, even failed anthologies, into some longer commitment pieces. Some of my better ideas, fresher ideas, have come from failed anthology attempts. Some of them are short stories, some became a series or something I've written to full blown novel length. "Standing in Shadows," "Sarah's Joey," and "Force of Nature," were all failed Anthology attempts. 

I have some 'failed' attempts still sitting and recently I went back and reread one of them and I was like, damn that's some really good writing. I had to triple check to see if I was the original author... because I used to Beta read for a few people and I needed to make sure it wasn't one of theirs. I was that blown away by it and I had forgotten all about it, but it never would have been put to paper if I hadn't been trying to write for an anthology. 

People who don't get into anthologies because they're afraid they will never meet the deadline - just participate and see where it leads. It could lead to something special that will cement yourself here on GA and writing in general.

Also, your story gets looked at by some damn good volunteer editors and you can use their edits as springboards in learning more about editing and story structure in general. 

For readers it is bonus content from some of their favorite authors, if they participate. For people looking for something new to read from someone you don't already follow, they're good to get into and get a feel for their story telling. Most of my reading on here for fun have been via anthologies.

This year marks my second attempt at anthologies, and while the deadline can be a nuissance, I found it to be a breath of fresh air. Given a theme to work with, it's invigorating to interpret it in your own way. The anthology also presents opportunities you wouldn't expect.

This year, I'm fortunate to co-write with one of my favorite authors on the site, and it's been an absolute blast. Being allowed to play in someone else's universe is truly a privilege and a pleasure. If every year's anthology offers a new adventure like this one, I'll participate until the end of my days.

11 hours ago, Krista said:

Also, your story gets looked at by some damn good volunteer editors and you can use their edits as springboards in learning more about editing and story structure in general. 

This. ⬆ Whether or not you are fortunate enough to have a regular editor, having someone else look over your work is an education. Yes, you might not agree with everything, but it makes you think. I've learned plenty that way. 

I read the anthologies as a way to evaluate authors I haven't read before and to see what he authors I have read are doing with the theme.

Since deadlines are my nemesis, I haven't submitted a story to anthologies, but I certainly appreciate the concept and the results. 

As a fulltime grandpa and husband, I don't have much time to write, but I refuse to give up reading and commenting!

I've never submitted anything for the anthologies, mainly because I'm thick and can't get my head around the full process to post one. I've got something that I'd like to submit for the current one but I'm still unsure on how to go about it. I understand how to forward a submission to @Valkyrie, it's the process after that I can't get my head round (like I said I'm thick like that, lol)