Intention

From National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree and author of Such Good Work and Calling Ukraine (“The funniest tragedy I’ve ever read” —Garth Greenwell), a tense portrait of connection and coincidence

How many lives can collide over the course of a single spring day? In Intention, Lichtman’s quietly electrifying third novel, a chance encounter sets in motion a chain of reckonings that exposes the fault lines between art, ethics, and responsibility.

Birgitta is a celebrated mystery writer whose career was launched by a novel drawn from a real family’s tragedy—and whose account of that book’s publication has become part of her public legend. Noah is a journalist assigned to interview her about her efforts to support Ukrainians amid political crisis. When they meet, admiration and suspicion intermingle: Noah is dazzled by Birgitta’s elegance and success but questions both the ethics of her work and the story she tells about how her defining book came to be published; Birgitta, in turn, bristles at Noah’s judgments about her privilege and moral authority, while feeling diminished by family life. Their brief exchange reverberates throughout the day, unsettling assumptions each holds about goodness, guilt, and what it means to do the “right thing.”

Told in alternating perspectives, Intention traces the nearly invisible turns of fate that pull people toward—or away from—one another. With intelligence, restraint, and moral clarity, Lichtman examines the liberties writers take with real lives, and whether acts of generosity can ever fully redeem past harm. At once witty and grave, Intention is a novel of regret and accountability—a mature, searching work that captures how quickly, and irrevocably, everything can change.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs