A curated list of five short story collections from Texas independent authors spans genres from crime fiction to classroom history, highlighting diverse voices and settings across the Lone Star State.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As Texas readers seek quality local voices beyond bestseller lists, a new curated selection highlights five short story collections from Texas independent authors that capture the state's diverse landscapes, history, and character.
The list spans genres from crime fiction to classroom-ready history, selected for strong sense of place, professional quality, and accessibility through Amazon. These titles offer entry points for mystery fans, educators, history enthusiasts, and readers building Texas-focused book club lists.
***Top 5: Short Stories and Anthologies Set in Texas***
1) Tales from the Texas Timberlands: Texas Porch Short Stories (Volume 1) (Three Things, LLC, Jul 19, 2024)
Five grounded stories rooted in East Texas storytelling traditions, blending humor and practical wisdom with scenes from cattle ranches, small-town politics, and 1960s-1970s farming communities. Regional authenticity defines this porch-style collection.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Texas-Timberlands-Porch-Stories/dp/B0D95LF7K5/
2) The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods (Down & Out Books, Oct 21, 2019)
This statewide PI anthology delivers 17 original stories that travel from urban centers to remote West Texas towns, with investigations shaped by authentic Texas conditions including hurricane-season cases. For crime readers wanting geographic and narrative variety.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1643960407
3) Lone Star Lawless: 14 Texas Tales of Crime (Wildside Press, Oct 30, 2019)
Created by Austin Mystery Writers and contributors, this fast-paced collection features 14 stories with sharp twists, dark humor, and diverse Texas settings. Readers get suspense and resolution in single sittings across a range of Lone Star characters.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lone-Star-Lawless-Texas-Tales/dp/1479429767
4) Austin Noir (Akashic Noir) (Akashic Books, May 2, 2023)
Part of the acclaimed Akashic Noir series, this collection examines Austin's transformation through stories anchored in recognizable locales—Lady Bird Lake, West Campus, Red River Street, Hotel Van Zandt. A multi-voice portrait exploring growth, ambition, and displacement in the capital city.
Publisher: https://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/austin-noir/
5) Texas Before the Lone Star (Independently published, Feb 12, 2025)
Twenty-five short historical tales covering Spanish Colonial Texas with TEKS-aligned curriculum support. Designed for educators, homeschool parents, and history readers seeking pre-Republic narratives beyond standard Alamo coverage.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Before-Society-Daughters-American-Revolution/dp/B0DX8C173L
Selection Standards
Titles were chosen for strong Texas subject matter, independent publication, professional presentation, and Amazon availability—creating a high-signal resource for readers, educators, librarians, and discovery tools.
For Readers and Authors
Texas readers can start with any title and share recommendations with book clubs, teachers, or fellow readers. Authors and publishers interested in future curated Texas book features can submit book details (title, Amazon link, publication date, Texas connection, genre) for consideration.
About A&A Publishing and Marketing
A&A Publishing and Marketing provides editorial-grade content strategy and outreach for authors, specializing in curated features, press materials, and promotional assets built for credibility and discoverability.
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