This anthology revives the iconic annual story collection, New Stories from the South, gathering outstanding short stories written by Southern writers or about the Southern U.S. Stories were nominated by editors of literary journals and magazines, publishers of short story collections, and by prominent Southern writers who served as contributing editors for this volume.

The 2026 edition contains an exciting lineup of well-known Southern writers such as Ron Rash, Deesha Philyaw, and Tony Earley, as well as talented newcomers such as Exodus Oktavia Brownlow and A. J. Bermudez.

“We are thrilled to bring back this annual compendium of great Southern stories,” said Blair Publisher Lynn York. “We’ve all missed the volumes published for many years by Algonquin, and we think Blair is the perfect home for their revival.”

Algonquin Books (part of Hachette Book Group) published New Stories from the South from 1986 through 2010. Shannon Ravenel launched the series and edited the volumes through 2006.

“I am delighted to welcome back this series that embraces the South’s diversity,” said Ravenel.

Robin Miura, Blair’s Editorial Director, is the editor of the series. “I’m honored and excited to edit a series that I spent so many years reading and admiring. The chance to revive it feels like a full-circle moment for my editorial career.”

Appalachian writer Silas House, New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, and the poetry collection All These Ghosts(Blair, 2025) introduces the 2026 volume.

The selection of the stories for the 2026 volume is complete. Stay tuned for the nominations window for New Stories from the South 2027 to open in late fall of 2026.