What happens when a community made up of writers and editors with unique perspectives come together to bring one larger work to life on the page?
An anthology is born: a collection of short pieces from a variety of authors and poets, all focusing on a single theme to build something bigger and stronger than the individual components. Creating an anthology feels like a small miracle, or even a big one, in today’s publishing world.
Writers, editors, and small presses are navigating a confusing publishing landscape these days. As with so many other art forms, AI is inserting itself into the industry, leaving writers and editors scrambling to figure out how and why real writing still matters. While there are no tried-and-true methods to know if a book is 100 percent AI-generated, a recent study highlights an alarming trend of its use among self-published books on Amazon. Up to 31 percent of new releases show evidence of this, and that percentage climbs significantly higher in certain genres, religious fiction, and nonfiction.
Alongside this trend, an increasing number of publishers are closing down or dramatically downsizing their editorial staff and publishing schedules. With the collapse of Small Press Distribution, and the recent closures of indie giants like Catapult, the future promises to be both very different from what we’re used to, and uncharted.
Lucky for us, the D.C. area continues to lead the way in the creation of collective art. Indie publishing powerhouses across the DMV are banding together to put out collections that focus on everything from queer futures to the fight against hunger. Anthologies are a great way to experience a variety of authors and writing styles, as well as connect with related events and workshops that act as a warm welcome to the local literary scene.
Over at the small press arm of 1455 Literary Arts, a northern Virginia-based literary organization that branched into book publishing in 2025, is building a catalog defined by accessibility and authenticity. Their first two standout titles showcase this mission: Young Poets Anthology: Voices of Hope, which gives a global platform to emerging writers under 21 and Women Writers Anthology: Voices on Silence, a collection of poetry and short stories this columnist was particularly excited to contribute to. Both books came out in the past few months, and both promise great things from 1455, continuing the organization’s dedication to spotlighting voices that traditional publishers frequently overlook.
No discussion of D.C. anthologies is complete without the Washington Writers’ Publishing House, the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary small press. WWPH has been on a tear with thematic collections lately, including its latest book, Capital Love, which hit shelves in May. Capital Love offers an uplifting, fiery collection of poetry and prose positioning love as an antidote to hate. It follows a formidable lineage of recent anthologies, including 2025’s Capital Queer: A Pride Celebration, which spotlighted LGBTQIA voices from across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and last year’s America’s Future: poetry & prose in response to tomorrow, a massive undertaking featuring 164 writers wrestling with a timeline that seems intent on stifling our creativity. WWPH will also release Volume 12 of the iconic Grace & Gravity anthology series. Themed “Grace in Justice” and slated for a 2027 release, the legendary showcase for women prose writers will be steered by series editor Caroline Bock and guest editor Melanie S. Hatter.
For fans of the genre, D.C.-based small press Neon Hemlock’s We’re Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction series continues to thrill us with short stories that lean in to literary writing that abandons realism in the very best, and queerest, ways. Publisher Dave Ring’s sharp, visionary editorial direction offers an accessible window into innovative speculative worlds. (I’ve never been much of a genre reader, but these anthologies are expertly written and fun—I’ve loved every one!) With a new volume landing next year and a stellar back catalog featuring major award winners, Neon Hemlock proves that queer world-building might just be driving the cutting edge of short-form fiction.
The brand-new indie publisher Night Ginkgo Press is making waves right in our backyard with Beltway: An Anthology of Writers from the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Published this past May, and edited by Llalan Fowler, Nick Rees Gardner, Lauren Woods, Andrew Bertaina, and Destini Price, the collection is a mosaic of stories, poems, and essays proving just how deep the DMV’s literary bench goes.
NatureCulture is a woman-owned literary organization that publishes books out of Massachusetts. But its new anthology, Turning Poetry Into Food: A Poetry X Hunger Anthology, was edited by DMV writers Hiram Larew and Christina Daub. Turning Poetry brings together a spectacular lineup of 50 poets seeking to raise awareness about rising food insecurity. Net proceeds for the collection will go to anti-hunger organizations including local food banks, groups providing emergency relief at home and abroad, and child nutrition programs.
Whatever you’re looking for, the DMV’s anthology scene proves that collective storytelling is thriving.
Sherry Turkle discusses her new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines, with bestselling author and Georgetown University linguistics professor Deborah Tannen. The book examines how relationships with AI chatbots are changing our understanding of empathy, attachment, and human connection. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Politics and Prose’s Wharf location. Free.
White House correspondent April Ryan leads a discussion with Georgetown Law professor Paul Butler and journalist Karen Attiah about race in America, current events, and the panelists’ recent books. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location. Free.
Celebrate 50 years of the Writer’s Center with a building-wide scavenger hunt, readings representing each decade of the organization’s history, and a buffet. Featured readers include Richard Peabody, Rose Solari, E. Ethelbert Miller, Angie Kim, Marisa Kashino, and Xochi Quetzali Cartland. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Writer’s Center. $40–$50.
Ansley Moon discusses her debut poetry collection, Register the Missing, with novelist Alice Stephens. The collection explores the experiences of adoptees from the Indian subcontinent, gender-based violence, and the erasure of girls worldwide. The virtual event starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9, hosted by Loyalty Bookstores. Free; RSVP required.
The Inner Loop spotlights Shelagh Powers Johnson’s debut short story collection, A History of Existing Life, in a virtual event featuring Johnson and author Michael Don. The collection explores relationships, memory, and the complexities of family life. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 via The Writer’s Center. Free; RSVP required for Zoom access.
Novelists D.C. Frost and Melanie S. Hatter discuss their new books, A Shadow of Jaguars and All the Pain We Endure, with journalist Saul Gonzalez. Frost’s crime novel follows a detective investigating a murder connecting Mexico City and Los Angeles, while Hatter’s novel explores family trauma, empathy, and healing in Washington, D.C. The event starts at 3 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location. Free.
Old Town Books celebrates the aforementioned local nonprofit publisher 1455 Books and its Women Writers Anthology, a collection of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction exploring the theme of silence. I (Hannah Grieco) will lead a short Q&A with editor and publisher Sean Murphy, followed by readings from several contributing authors. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Old Town Books. Free; RSVP required.
Diana Rojas discusses her novel, They Hold Grudges, with novelist Tamar Shapiro. The book explores family loyalty, buried accusations, and the consequences of keeping secrets when a long-standing family conflict resurfaces. The event starts at 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location. Free.
