9 Agents Representing Short Story Collections

Updated 8/28/23

It's easier to get a novel published than a short story collection. But interlocking short stories are increasingly being marketed as novels, so if you are a skilled short story writer you can find an agent to represent your work.

Before you submit your collection, I strongly recommend that you get some of your stories published in literary magazines. Having a track record will help, and prior publication will not harm your chances of getting a collection published. (However, you should avoid publishing in magazines that are online. If people can read your stories for free, why should they buy them?)

For where to publish short stories see:

325  Paying Markets for Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction

Mega-List of Speculative Fiction Magazines Accepting Submissions

18 Paying Markets for Humor 

14 Publishers Accepting Unagented Short Story Collections

IMPORTANT: These agents have listed Short Stories on their MSWL (manuscript wish list) profiles, however you should NEVER query an agent without checking the agency website first. Submission requirements change, and agents may close their lists, or switch agencies.

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Cecilia (Cece) Lyra (P.S. Literary Agency)

"I’m a sucker for short story collections, particularly those with a hypnotic, slice-of-life feel. THE OFFICE OF HISTORICAL CORRECTIONS by Danielle Evans and TELL ME WHO WE WERE by Kate McQuade are favorites of mine. Bonus points for voice-driven, idiosyncratic writing." Will re-open to queries on September 5, 2023.

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Renée Zuckerbrot Literary Agency

Renée Zuckerbrot founded the agency after working as an editor at Doubleday and Franklin Square Press/Harper’s Magazine. She is a member of the AAR and Authors Guild. She serves on PEN’s Membership Committee, and is a Board member of the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) and Slice Magazine. You can read an interview with Renée and her colleagues at Poets & Writers. See her top ten list of short stories at Storyville. 

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Reiko Davis (DeFiore and Company Literary Management)

She'd love to connect with promising writers of short fiction who are at work on a debut story collection and/or novel. "Novels are incredibly immersive, but the best short stories tend to stick with me longer, sometimes for years, and I remember their characters and small universes more clearly than even my favorite novels."

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Chad Luibl (Janklow and Nesbit) 

I tend to lean more toward darker tales and gritty settings, culture-crossing perspectives, structures that are a bit experimental (see David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas), and always narratives with a strong emotional core. Having lived in Poland and Hungary, I have a niche-interest in books that feel Eastern European in voice/perspective (or explore post-Soviet and Cold War themes), and I find anything that deals with exile and expatriation immediately arresting.

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Katie Grimm (Curtis Brown, Ltd.)

Most generally, I focus on adult literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, middle grade, and young adult fiction.  Across all genres and ages, I’ll always be interested in the darker and weirder side of the human condition as well as previously under- or misrepresented experiences and voices.

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Amanda Orozco (Transatlantic)

I’m drawn to short story collections because I love the freedom and flexibility there is in presenting a range of stories and experimenting with form. I also believe short stories take a high level of craft to pull off and can be more difficult in a lot of ways than writing a full novel, so I enjoy seeing the creativity and mastery that goes into short stories. I also feel that, with our shortening attention spans, they’re a refreshing way to experiment with and present amazing writing/storytelling in smaller doses. (Opens to queries in October)

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Ismita Hussain (Great Dog Literary)

I love a good Southern setting, anything related to Italy, and REALLY want to see some health/illness stories and #disabilityinclusion YA & New Adult- send me your romcoms, your fresh takes on classics, but please no SFF. Short story collections! I want to see ‘em.

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Kate Garrick (Salky Literary Management)

Kate looks for projects that demonstrate a clear confidence of intention and a willingness to engage with our changing world with humility and curiosity.

Danielle Chiotti (Upstart Crow)

She is seeking  upmarket commercial fiction. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view.