One of my favorite trends in literature is the creation of anthologies, or what I like to refer to as collaborative fiction. When authors find that their ideas and writing styles vibe, the logical next step is to bring their creative genius together to create amazing works of literature. It gives you the opportunity to explore many different worlds and perspectives without picking up another book. Plus, it’s exciting to see how your favorite authors work in short story format, and you might also find new authors whose work you enjoy!
Here are some amazing collaborative books that you should definitely check out. And if I missed your favorite anthology or multi-authored novel, let me know in the comments!
Zombies Vs Unicorns
It’s a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? This all-original anthology edited by Holly Black (Team Unicorn) and Justine Larbalestier (Team Zombie) makes strong arguments for both sides in the form of spectacular short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths—for good and evil—of unicorns, and half show the good (and really, really badass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan.
Our Story Beings
From award-winning author Elissa Brent Weissman comes a collection of quirky, smart, and vulnerable childhood works by some of today’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators—revealing young talent, the storytellers they would one day become, and the creativity they inspire today.
Feral Youth
Ten teens are left alone in the wilderness during a three-day survival test in this multi-authored novel edited by award-winning author Shaun David Hutchinson.
Eat the Sky, Drink the Ocean
Nineteen contributors from India and Australia—including Printz Award–winning author Margo Lanagan and New York Times bestsellers Justine Larbalestier and Samhita Arnir—team up to create a “rare treat of speculative literature” in this groundbreaking feminist collection that “bursts with imagination” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
Sometimes We Tell the Truth
In this contemporary retelling of The Canterbury Tales, a group of teens on a bus ride to Washington, DC, each tell a story—some fantastical, some realistic, some downright scandalous—in pursuit of the ultimate prize: a perfect score.
Violent Ends
In a one-of-a-kind collaboration, seventeen of the most recognizable YA writers—including Shaun David Hutchinson, Neal and Brendan Shusterman, and Beth Revis—come together to share the viewpoints of a group of students affected by a school shooting.
Tales From a Shadowhunter Academy
The New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling collection of short stories chronicling the adventures of Simon Lewis as he trains to become a Shadowhunter is now available in print with ten brand-new comic illustrations!