I want to start submitting a few how to articles I've written to some article directories and have a few questions. Are you typically allowed to have anchor text links in your Article? Should I submit one article to several different directories? Do I have to create an account for most directories or can I submit anonymously?
Some allow it. Others do not (I choose not to allow it in mine to avoid the spammers that like to use 37 links within a 400 word article body ). It's best just to assume that they will not allow it and plan on placing links in the "about the author" sections that almost all article directories have and allow links. Also, the number of links allowed varies from site to site. All allow at least one...three seems to be a common max...and some allow however many you can fit (goarticles is the best example of this). No harm in submitting to many different article directories. Any decent article directory will require you to register (otherwise the spam would be outrageous). But you don't necessarily have to use your real name as the author. In fact, few people do. Best of luck.
Most article directories will allow anchor text links (2 or 3) in resource box or author bio area. EveryQuery's name should be EveryAnswer, he answered all other queries you had