Never-published Vonnegut short stories to be released this year

A collection of never-before published short stories by Kurt Vonnegut, who died in 2007, will be released in an anthology later this year, according to the writer's longtime publisher.

Delacorte Press announced Friday, that Look at the Birdie —  containing 14 stories — will be out in November.

"These are 14 exceptionally intricate short pieces by an author whose voice we miss immensely. Taken together, they give the reader a clear sense of Kurt Vonnegut's development into one of the most beloved and original American writers of all time," said editor Nita Taublib, who put the collection together with Kerri Buckley.

Fans of the writer — who died at the age of 84 — can also look forward to a collection of unpublished essays and a book of letters.

In addition, the publishing house will re-issue 15 Vonnegut titles this year including Slaughterhouse-Five, Mother Night, Galapagos and The Sirens of Titan.

Vonnegut, who suffered severe depression all his life, is considered by many in literary circles to be a key influence in shaping 20th-century American literature.

He often mixed dark humour with tragedy and elements of social commentary, science fiction and autobiography.

"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations," Vonnegut once told a gathering of psychiatrists.