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Late 20th Century Anthologies
A Resourceful Reading Project led by Professor Gillian Whitlock
  • Using the Data

    Professor Gillian Whitlock identified the proliferation and diversity of Australian anthologies published in the 1980s and 1990s. The following tables, which were compiled from the AustLit database, involve both short fiction anthologies and literary anthologies (anthologies which involve literary criticism). Poetry anthologies and mixed anthologies (short stories and poetry) were not included in the survey.

    The first table categorises the anthologies examined during the project (figures from the 1970s are included for comparative purposes), while the second provides an overview of Australian short story and literary anthologies published since the 1800s.

  • Using the Data

    Categories of Anthologies, 1980s & 1990s

    1970s1980s1990s
    Number of anthologies90300615
    Trade Publishers30%28%20%
    Regional focus11%18%30%
    National focus22%22%30%
    Woman-centred1.5%9%8%
    Multicultural5%6%9%
    Indigenous5%1.5%6%
    Woman/women editors16%40%40%
    Writing communities (guilds, collectives and fellowships)7%16%25%
    Young Adult5%4%16%
    Generational9%5%22%

  • Table of Anthologies

    DecadeTotal AnthologiesLiterary Anthologies
    1800-1899295
    1900-190993
    1910-1919132
    1920-192975
    1930-1939178
    1940-19493011
    1950-19592114
    1960-19696734
    1970-19799940
    1980-1989300104
    1990-1999615194
    2000-2008354174

    Note: Literary anthologies featured short fiction.

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