09 Jun Does Third-Person Voice Works Better for A Non-Fiction Anthology?
We take great pleasure in working with writers, encouraging them to craft stories around a central theme, which we publish as thoughtfully curated anthologies. In a recent collection, the personal narratives revealed each writer’s grit, empathy, innovation, and impact. Every story was a celebration in itself, written with hope of inspiring others.
And yet, how we tell them is just as important as what we tell, especially if the stories are about one’s grit and success.
We advised to write stories extolling personal passions, vision, ambition and success in the third -person.
Why third-person? Why not write in first-person, since they lived it, own it, and are credited for it? It’s a valid question — one that deserves a thoughtful response.
Let us explain why we’re encouraging a third-person narrative format, especially in the context of this collective anthology.
First-Person Works for Autobiographies, not much for short stories in an Anthology
An autobiography is a solo act — one voice, one perspective, one journey. It allows room for self-reflection, internal monologue, and the personal ‘I’. Readers come expecting the subject’s own voice.
But an anthology with multiple voices risks sounding cluttered or repetitive if each contribution uses the ‘I’ voice. In a first-person anthology, multiple “I did this” or “I felt that” entries can inadvertently feel like a series of self-promotions, even when written with humility.
The third-person format, on the other hand, creates an editorial distance that allows each contributor’s impact to shine without sounding self-congratulatory. It helps readers focus on the story and the impact — not just the storyteller.
Third-Person Builds Credibility
Think about how biographies or profiles in reputed media are written. Whether it’s Time’s 100 Most Influential People, or TED Speaker profiles — they’re almost always in third person. Why? Because third-person creates an aura of credibility, as if an observer — not the subject — is affirming the achievements.
This format lends itself to a tone of independent recognition, which readers often perceive as more trustworthy.
Readers Read Differently in a Collection
When reading an anthology, readers shift from one story to the next, often in a single sitting. A uniform third-person tone acts as a stabiliser across voices. It allows us, as editors and readers, to enjoy the diversity of experiences without jolts in narrative style.
With first-person entries, some stories may feel overly emotional, others overly factual, depending on writing style — making the reading experience inconsistent or uneven.
But What About Authenticity?
Some of you feel that writing in the first person is more authentic, that it gives your story a personal voice. And you’re absolutely right — it does. That’s why we’re working closely with each contributor to ensure that the third-person narrative still carries your voice, spirit, and values — without compromising readability or balance across the book.
You are, of course, be fully credited for your story. And a foreword or contributor bio can always carry a short quote in your own words — allowing readers to hear you directly.
More Practical Reasons to Choose Third Person
- Easier editing: Third-person narratives are easier to tighten, edit, and structure without affecting the ‘voice’.
- Avoids repetition: First-person stories tend to include similar reflections — “I realised…”, “I struggled with…” — across multiple stories. Third-person lets us shape varied storytelling approaches.
- Better pacing: The third-person narrative helps maintain momentum, reducing indulgent detours that can occur when writing in the first person.
It’s Not Suppression, It’s Framing
This is not about muting your voice — it’s about curating many powerful voices in a way that readers can truly absorb and appreciate. The stories are still by the respective writers, and they have full input on how they are portrayed. Our job as editor and publisher is to frame them in the most impactful and engaging way possible.
For Those Still Unsure…
If you’re deeply attached to first-person style, let’s have a conversation. We’re open to making small accommodations — perhaps including a short quote in first person within the third-person structure. We’re here to co-create, not impose.
But as your publisher, our responsibility is also to ensure that the final book doesn’t just hold good stories — but that it holds together as a good book.
Let’s not worry about who’s saying it. Let your story speak.
Let your work echo through pages that read not like a resume — but like a legacy.
Until next time!
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