We are thrilled about next year’s short story and poetry collections. Each one bringing their own bite-sized world building and delivering a huge punch in a concise way. If you’re a fan of these lyrical and luxurious reads, make sure you add these to your 2025 TBR.

Save Me, Stranger by Erika Krouse (1/21)

From Edgar Award-winning author Erika Krouse, Save Me, Stranger is a striking collection of stories about characters at life’s turning points. From a runaway in gang territory to a haunted bed-and-breakfast, these tales explore humor, heartbreak, and the resilience of the human spirit. With sharp wit and emotional depth, Krouse delivers unforgettable moments of connection and redemption.

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Everlasting Spring : 101 Poems for Every Season of Life by Sonya Matejko (1/21)

From poet Sonya Matejko, the voice behind @aforceofnurture, Everlasting Spring offers a heartfelt collection for every stage of life’s journey. Divided into four sections, it explores chasing dreams, embracing change, overcoming challenges, and growing into your best self—encouraging readers to honor their unique pace through life’s ever-changing seasons.

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The Black Fantastic: 20 Afrofuturist Stories (2/4)

This cutting-edge collection features 20 groundbreaking short stories celebrating Black identity, community, and imagination. Showcasing the best in contemporary Afrofuturist fiction, it includes Hugo, Nebula, and Stoker award winners alongside emerging talents. From horror to sci-fi, these genre-defying tales redefine Black speculative fiction for a new era.

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Autopsy (of an Ex-Teen Heartthrob): (poems of rage, love, sex, and sadness) by Avan Jogia (2/11)

In Autopsy,  Avan Jogia delivers a sharp, acidic poetry collection exploring fame, love, rage, and sadness. Reflecting on his rise as a teen idol in the early days of social media, he dissects the absurdity and pitfalls of celebrity culture. With raw honesty and vivid imagery, Jogia examines ego, idolatry, and the universal search for healing and love.

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Smother by Rachel Richardson (2/18)

Award-winning poet Rachel Richardson confronts the existential losses of climate change while exploring the resilience required to survive. Through vivid poems about record-breaking fires, motherhood, and grief, she navigates themes of environmental destruction and the female body’s vulnerabilities. Yet, these are not poems of despair—they are a defiant call to resist, rebuild, and find hope amid the burn scars.

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Show Don’t Tell: Stories by Curits Sittenfeld (2/25)

Curtis Sittenfeld, acclaimed author of Eligible and Romantic Comedy, returns with a brilliant collection of stories exploring marriage, friendship, and ambition. With her signature humor and insight, she brings characters to life, including a reunion with Prep’s Lee Fiora. These compelling tales showcase why Sittenfeld is beloved for both her novels and short fiction.

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The Art of Falling in Love Again by Franny Arrieta (3/18)

The Art of Falling in Love Again is the heartfelt second poetry collection from Franny Arrieta, exploring heartbreak, healing, and the resilience to love again. Known for her relatable words and soothing tone, Franny takes readers on a journey through the raw emotions of pain, self-discovery, and hope. This collection is a powerful reminder that even in the depths of brokenness, love has the power to find us once more.

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I Am the Arrow: The Life and Art of Sylvia Plath in Six Poems by Sarah Ruden  (3/25)

Acclaimed translator Sarah Ruden offers a fresh perspective on Sylvia Plath’s poetry, revealing her towering ambition and mythmaking genius. Through close readings of six iconic poems, Ruden explores Plath’s ability to reimagine experience and map the nature of existence itself. Stripping away the distractions of Plath’s life story and polarized opinions, Ruden makes a compelling case for her place in the literary canon.

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A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay (4/1)

A Little Daylight Left is Sarah Kay’s long-awaited second collection, exploring life’s most vulnerable transitions with courage, curiosity, and humor. Through her signature wit and wisdom, Kay invites readers to face heartbreak, fear, and uncertainty while celebrating what makes us human. This collection is a blueprint for embracing life’s beauty, even in its hardest moments.

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Late to the Search Party: Poems by Steven Espada Dawson (5/6)

Late to the Search Party is a raw and haunting debut poetry collection by Steven Espada Dawson, exploring family, addiction, belonging, and loss. Chronicling his half-immigrant Mexican American family’s fractures—from his missing brother to his dying mother—Dawson reflects on what it means to be left behind. With vivid, ethereal language, this collection is a poignant meditation on love, grief, and the ties that both bind and break us.

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I Hope You Remember by Josie Balka (5/13)

The debut poetry collection from viral TikTok poet Josie Balka, explores themes like love, nostalgia, jealousy, and hope. With over eighty poems—some viral hits and others brand new—Josie captures the raw emotions of body image, family, and self-discovery. Her clear, powerful prose will leave you reflecting on life’s complexities and longing for the beauty in its fleeting moments.

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