Featured Author

Jennifer Brown Banks

Jennifer Brown Banks is a columnist, popular feature writer, and award-winning poet. Her work has been widely published regionally, nationally and internationally--- online and in print  publications.

Her short stories and poems have been published in 8 different anthologies, including Simon and Schuster's Chocolate for a Woman's Heart Series, and the upcoming Grab That Tiger by the Tail! by Keen Publications.

She teaches creative writing at the Discovery Center in Chicago, IL..

Banks is a member of the Chicago Writers Association, and is president and founder of Poets United to Advance the Arts and she is listed in Marquis Who's Who.     


      8 AWESOME ADVANTAGES TO ANTHOLOGIES!
    (NUMEROUS PERKS FOR A FRACTION OF THE WORK)

Have you taken a visit to your local bookstore lately? Chances are, if you have, you’ve been bombarded by the vast array of anthologies, for every age group and
just about every theme.  These quick-reads are tremendously popular, and provide excellent avenues for writers to get exposure for their work.  And I should know!

A few weeks ago, I was notified that my submission had been accepted for publication in yet another anthology!  This makes my eighth.

For those who might not be familiar, an anthology is a collection of literary works—short stories, poems, and/or commentary, comprised of different authors and targeted to varied audiences.

 

Some of the most popular are Chicken Soup for the Soul and Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart series.

Since my first experience with Simon and Schuster, about seven years ago, I’ve been hooked!  And here’s why.   




OFTEN OVERLOOKED ADVANTAGES:

1.    PRESTIGE BY ASSOCIATION—With my first project, not
only was I paid a sweet fee, I was able to add a
publishing credit by a major player (Simon and
Schuster) to my resume, and be affiliated with women
who had world wide acclaim.  Their “Chocolate” series
reflected the works of truly talented women across the
globe--- radio personalities, noted psychologists,
accomplished authors, relationship experts, and others
I considered way out of my league!

2.    A SISTERHOOD OF SORTS--- An unexpected benefit of
being a contributor to the various anthologies, is the
sisterhood that develops from sharing a common
experience with women that you later become friends
and writing buddies with.  Authors who have “been
there and done that” and who cheer your future
successes.

3.    THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AND DINE AT REDUCED
RATES—Last year, I was privileged to have my story
about being chosen to audition for the Chicago Bulls’
Cheerleading Squad, published by Nubian Images.  To
promote the book and do signings, group tours have
been scheduled to New York, California, Detroit and
other places that I might not have ever otherwise
traveled due to the expense involved.


4.    UNLIMITED NETWORKING POTENTIAL--- Recently, while
working on a book proposal for a new book, I had
absolutely no idea where I would send my manuscript.
A quick E-mail to a fellow contributor produced a
couple of big name contacts in the industry that could
make the difference in my writing career.

5.    RECIPROCAL LINK EXCHANGE—Which increases your
online presence.  What this means is that for each
person in the series that has a web page, if they are
agreeable, you can have your site and bio listed.-

6.    MASS DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR WORK.  Whereas
self-published titles may only be able to be placed in
local, small bookstores, anthologies are distributed
worldwide in major book chains.

7.    COLLECTIVE PROMOTION--- This translates into
unlimited publicity potential, for less work (with
each sister promoting the book within her own
circles)—and remember, there is “strength in numbers.”

8.    PAY THAT OFTEN EXCEEDS THAT OF A COMPARABLE FEATURE
ARTICLE.  For example, Chicken Soup series typically
pays 300 per submission for your work, and some
anthologies pay as much as $500.00 to the top
contributor.


ALL ANTHOLOGIES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that all anthologies are not created equal.  Do your homework
before submitting to the many contests and calls for writers.  A general rule that I always operate by is
that there should never be a fee involved for participation, nor a purchase required for inclusion.


The objective for any savvy writer is to be paid for their sweat equity, unless it’s a charitable cause.