12 Publishers Accepting Unagented Short Story Collections

Updated 4/3/25

Getting collections of short stories published is not as easy as publishing a novel. That does not mean it is impossible, but it does mean you have to publish your short stories in literary magazines first. (Very few publishers will take on collections from completely unpublished writers.)

The more prestigious literary magazines, like Ploughshares, will give you the greatest advantage, but they are hard to get into. Second tier magazines (those that pay for stories  - however little), are preferable over journals that either pay nothing, or have very few subscribers. Journals run by MFA departments of universities are quite desirable, even if they only make a token payment.

Here is a great resource for finding paying markets: 325 Paying Markets for Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction. And if you write speculative fiction go here for over 100 science fiction and fantasy markets. You should also check the Poets & Writers database, which contains circulation and payment information.

Remember to put your strongest story first! Most editors begin with the first story, so if you don't make a memorable impression with the first, they will never make it to the second.

Note: These publishers do not charge a  reading fee to submit manuscripts. However, there are a number of other presses that publish short story collections through annual competitions, for which there is an entry fee. (Those are not included in this list.) You can find a list of writing contests that do not charge entry fees here: Free Contests. 

________________________________


Black Bed Sheet Books 

Black Bed Sheet Books specializes in publishing fiction of a dark nature: Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Suspense, Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller. Accepting novels, novellas, short story collections. Black Bed Sheet Books has published over 80 authors. Advance: No information. Formats: Print and ebooks. Read guidelines here.

______________________

AM Ink

AM Ink publishes Biographies, Children’s Books, Novels and Short Story Collections. "We've published more than sixty titles, including bestsellers, as well as sold television rights, seen movies made from our books and our titles on hundreds of media outlets worldwide. All this has been done independently as a Mom and Pop small business in Western Massachusetts." Dark Ink is their horror imprint. Spooky Ink publishes themed kid’s books includes fun picture books for children and young adult novels. Submissions: Read submission guidelines here.

______________________

BlazeVOX [books]

BlazeVOX [books] is an independent small press publisher located in Buffalo, New York. To date, BlazeVOX has published 280 books and over 1000 writers in their online journal and other publishing outlets. They are seeking poetry, short stories, experimental fiction, literary criticism (including companions, studies and histories), women authors. They pay 10% royalties on fiction and poetry books, based on net receipts. This amount may be split across multiple contributors. No advance.  Submissions: Read guidelines HERE.

______________________

Manic D Press

Manic D Press is an American literary press based in San Francisco, California publishing fiction novels and short stories, poetry, and graphic novels. It was founded by Jennifer Joseph in 1984 as an alternative outlet for young writers seeking to bring their work into print. Manic D Press books are distributed throughout the US by Consortium, Last Gasp, and wholesalers including Ingram and Baker & Taylor; in the UK and EU by Turnaround PSL; in Canada by Publishers Group Canada; and throughout the world by Perseus. 

Submissions: Email submissions are preferred. Printed manuscripts are read twice a year, during the months of January and July ONLY. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, just let them know if your work has been accepted elsewhere or if (and where) it has been previously published. Read full guidelines HERE.

______________________

époque press

"As a new independent publisher we are seeking out strong new voices representing the very best in literary fiction. We publish adult literary fiction (novels and short story collections) and do not currently consider other genres such as children's fiction, poetry, memoir or fantasy." Read their submission guidelines here.

______________________

Tartarus

Tartarus is a small British independent press founded in 1990. They specialize in collectible hardback limited editions of literary supernatural/strange/horror fiction. They also publish paperbacks and ebooks. Tartarus has been the recipient of four World Fantasy Awards, and in 2010 received a "Stoker" from the Horror Writers Association. 

Submissions: Tartarus is looking for short story collections and novels of between 75,000 and 120,000 words. They are not interested in high fantasy, violent horror or young adult fiction. Electronic submissions should be sent to rosalieparker@btinternet.com as a Word or rtf attachment. Please send a synopsis or first two or three chapters/stories when first getting in contact. Additionally, they are now accepting single short story submissions for Strange Tales V. Please read full guidelines here.

Torrey House Press 

Torrey House Press publishes 8-12 books per year including literary novels, full-length short story collections, essay collections, creative nonfiction including literary journalism, and the occasional anthology and memoir. They are interested in well-crafted work with environmental, natural history, or natural landscape themes, and writing which explores the value of well-managed public lands and the transformative power of wilderness. THP does not currently accept submissions for poetry or books for children. Read guidelines HERE. Has submission periods.

Vine Leaves Press

Vine Leaves Press is looking for: novels (all genres accepted, but with a literary bent), book-length vignette collections, memoirs/biographies/autobiographies, creative nonfiction, and writing/publishing reference books, and short story collections. Read their submission guidelines here. Has submission periods.

Winding Road Stories

Winding Road Stories (WRDS) is a small press that publishes fiction, thriller, horror, nonfiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy, all aimed at adults, as well as young adult fiction. They are also open to novellas and short story collections in horror, mystery/thriller, science fiction and literary fiction. Read guidelines here.

______________________

Academic Presses

Arte Público Press

Arte Público Press, affiliated with the University of Houston, specializes in publishing contemporary novels, short stories, poetry, and drama based on U.S. Hispanic (Cuban American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and others) cultural issues and themes. Submissions: Arte Público uses an online submission form. See submission guidelines HERE.

______________________

Northwestern University Press 

Prestigious authors first published by Northwestern University Press have been the recipients of numerous prizes, including the Nobel Prize in Literature and the National Book Award. Publishes sixty books per year. Read submission guidelines HERE.

______________________

University of Nebraska Press 

Zero Street Fiction invites submissions of novels and short story collections, from LGBTQ+ authors new and established, that feature LGBTQ+ characters and/or themes. We are particularly interested in BIPOC authors, trans authors, and queer authors over 50. Zero Street is committed to literary fiction with commercial potential, and to providing marginalized authors opportunities for a wide readership in the trade fiction market. We are seeking literary fiction of all kinds, from stories of modern life to innovations on traditions of genre. Read submission guidelines HERE. Has submission periods.