Anthologies are a great way to get your work published and to reach a wider audience. Here are some reasons why you should wait until closer to the anthology submission deadline to submit.

1. You’ll have more time to revise your work. When you submit your work early, you’re not giving yourself enough time to revise it and make it the best it can be. By waiting until closer to the deadline, you’ll have more time to get feedback from beta readers, editors, and other writers. This will help you to identify and fix any problems with your work, and it will make your story more polished and professional. This also prevents multiple resubmissions to make corrections, which lessen acceptance chances.
2. You’ll have more time to promote your work. The closer you submit to the deadline, the more time you’ll have to promote your work. This is because you’ll have more time to share your story on social media, reach out to other writers, and build buzz around your work. So if you wait until closer to the deadline, you’ll be more likely to get your work noticed.
3. You’ll have less time to wait for a response. Waiting can be extenuating, especially when it comes to story submissions. By waiting until closer to the submission deadline, you’ll save yourself additional anxiety.
4. Your work is more memorable. Acquisition editors recall the most recent story they’ve read with the most clarity. By submitting closer to deadline, your story will be among the last batch read before acceptance letters are finalized. This tends to give it a greater impact.

Ultimately, the decision of when to submit to anthologies is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer. Consider your individual circumstances and goals, and choose the approach that best suits you.