Unless you are a well-known author, it is not easy to publish a collection of essays but it is still possible. There are many places where you can publish individual essays such as: themed anthologies, newspapers, literary magazines, professional journals, and trade journals. However, to sell an entire collection requires you to be market savvy. Many authors wonder how they can generate interest for their short essays among agents and editors.

Publication credits: If you have ever published essays in well-known literary journals, you should include the publication credits from these journals in your query letters. It is highly recommended for you to build publication credits before you start approaching agents and editors with unpublished essays. Unless you have many newsworthy experiences, there is a limited market for your essay collections. You also have a better chance if you have proof that your work has mass appeal.

You should investigate local places where you can publish your essays in order to build publication credits. Some of the places include: newsletters, newspapers, etc. There are also specialty publications that might be willing to take personal essays. Such places include bookshops and coffee houses. You should start publishing locally but the ultimate goal should be getting your essays published nationally. By publishing personal essays in a national magazine, you significantly increase the chances of your collection being accepted by an agent or editor.

Theme: One of the best things that you can do to your essay collections is to give them a common theme. It does not matter what theme you choose but you should make sure that the theme has a wide audience. Some themes include: religion, humor, culinary art, etc. Themes that are unique also get a lot of attention and people like to read about highly unusual real-life experiences. However, even if you have a great and unique theme, you should back it up with great writing. How can you find literary agents and editors that work with collections of essays?

Do research, a lot of it: One of your first stops should be local bookstores and libraries. You should study the essay collections in those places and especially non-fiction areas such as travel, parenting, or cooking. You should find out who published these collections and also find out the type of essays that are selling well. You should not forget to check the acknowledgment sections of essay collections because authors usually mention their agents or editors.

You should study book reviews and buy essay compilations in order to learn where they were published. Also make sure that you join networks of fellow essay writers to get information about where to find agents and editors for your collection.

You can also search the web for agents who accept essay collections. There are thousands of resources in brick-and-mortar bookstores as well as on the Internet. Carefully look at listings of literary agents and make a note of the ones you would want to represent you. If you are short on time, subscribe to literary journals to get connected with the literary agents listed.