Anthology and Multi-Author Book Printing
Anthologies, literary magazines, and multi-author collections printed with flexible formats and contributor copy support.
Why Print Your Anthology With Us
Contributor Copy Runs
Short-run printing accommodates contributor copies alongside retail inventory without overproduction.
Multiple Formats
Softcover, hardcover, and spiral binding suit literary anthologies, academic collections, and literary magazines.
Recurring Publications
Adjust print quantities each issue for literary magazines and annual anthologies based on subscriber count and event needs.
Color and B&W Options
Black-and-white for text collections, full-color for anthologies with artwork, photography, or mixed-media content.
Origin Books prints anthologies, literary magazines, and multi-author collections in softcover, hardcover, and spiral-bound formats in runs of 25 to 5,000 copies. Short-run printing supports the variable page counts, contributor copy requirements, and recurring publication schedules common to anthology projects.
Recommended Specifications
Literary Anthologies
- Binding: Softcover (perfect bound)
- Page count: 150—400 pages
- Interior: Black-and-white on 60lb uncoated paper
- Paper color: Cream or white
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches or 6 x 9 inches
- Cover: Matte lamination
Softcover perfect binding suits most literary anthologies --- fiction collections, poetry anthologies, and essay compilations. Matte lamination matches the standard finish in independent literary publishing.
Academic Anthologies
- Binding: Hardcover (case bound) or softcover (perfect bound)
- Page count: 200—500 pages
- Interior: Black-and-white on 60lb or 70lb uncoated paper
- Trim size: 6 x 9 inches
- Cover: Matte lamination
Hardcover binding provides shelf durability for academic anthologies placed in university and research libraries. Softcover works for course adoption where cost to students matters.
Literary Magazines and Annual Publications
- Binding: Softcover (perfect bound) or spiral
- Page count: 40—150 pages
- Interior: Black-and-white or full color
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 6 x 9 inches, or 8.5 x 11 inches
- Cover: Matte or gloss lamination
Annual publications and literary journals benefit from short-run printing. Editors adjust print quantities each issue based on subscriber count and event needs.
Origin Books requires a minimum of 32 pages for softcover, 24 for hardcover, and 20 for spiral binding.
For the full selection of paper options and weights, see Paper and Materials.
Pricing
Three cost factors distinguish anthologies from single-author books:
- Page count variation. Anthologies range from 40-page literary journals to 400-page collected works. Higher page counts increase per-unit cost.
- Contributor copies. Most editors provide contributor copies as part of the submission agreement. A 20-contributor anthology with two copies each adds 40 books to the print run before retail or event inventory.
- Color content. Anthologies that include artwork, photography, or mixed-media content require full-color pages, which add approximately $0.08—$0.15 per page compared to black-and-white.
For a 6 x 9 softcover with a black-and-white interior:
| Pages | 100 copies | 250 copies | 500 copies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | $6.72/book | $6.07/book | $5.57/book |
| 300 | $10.38/book | $9.61/book | $8.95/book |
The pricing calculator shows exact per-book pricing for any combination of specifications. No account required. Orders of 100 or more books ship free.
For a full breakdown of all publishing costs beyond printing, see Cost to Self-Publish a Book.
Cover and Premium Features
- Matte lamination produces the standard cover finish for literary anthologies and journals.
- Gloss lamination suits anthologies with photographic or art-focused covers.
- Foil stamping applies metallic foil to titles or series names on hardcover academic editions.
- 3D Spot UV adds raised, glossy texture to selected cover elements.
Origin Books offers these options on every order at any quantity.
Design and File Preparation
Multi-author collections require coordination across contributors:
- Consistent formatting for all contributed pieces (font, margins, headings)
- Table of contents listing all contributors and page numbers
- Contributor bios (typically in back matter)
- Copyright and permissions acknowledgments for reprinted work
- Front matter (title page, copyright, editorial note) and back matter (contributor notes, index) count toward the page total
Origin Books offers cover design starting at $89 and interior design starting at $399. See Design Services for tier details.
For editors preparing files independently, Origin Books provides templates and a spine width calculator. Full specifications are in the file preparation guide.
Selling Your Anthology
Direct sales. Sell directly through your own website, at events, or through bookstores. Readings, launch events, and literary festivals are primary sales channels for anthologies. Each contributor’s audience expands the book’s reach.
Retail and library distribution. Each format requires its own ISBN for retail and library channels. Academic anthologies benefit from library placement. See the Distribution Guide for channel details and the ISBN guide for purchasing.
Recurring publications. Literary magazines and annual anthologies adjust print quantities each issue. Short-run printing supports subscriber-based ordering without overcommitting inventory.