PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2011

The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2011 contains twenty unforgettable stories selected from hundreds of literary magazines. The winning tales take place in such far-flung locales as Madagascar, Nantucket, a Midwestern meth lab, Antarctica, and a post-apocalyptic England, and feature a fascinating array of characters: aging jazzmen, avalanche researchers, a South African wild child, and a mute actor in silent films. Also included are essays from the eminent jurors on their favorite stories, observations from the winners on what inspired them, and an extensive resource list of magazines.
 
Your Fate Hurtles Down at You
Jim Shepard
 
Diary of an Interesting Year
Helen Simpson
 
Melinda
Judy Doenges
 
Nightblooming
Kenneth Calhoun
 
The Restoration of the Villa Where Tibor Kálmán Once Lived
Tamas Dobozy
 
Ice
Lily Tuck
 
How to Leave Hialeah
Jennine Capó Crucet
 
The Junction
David Means
 
Pole, Pole
Susan Minot
 
Alamo Plaza
Brad Watson
 
The Black Square
Chris Adrian
 
Nothing of Consequence
Jane Delury
 
The Rules Are the Rules
Adam Foulds
 
The Vanishing American
Leslie Parry
 
Crossing
Mark Slouka
 
Bed Death
Lori Ostlund
 
Windeye
Brian Evenson
 
Sunshine
Lynn Freed
 
Never Come Back
Elizabeth Tallent
 
Something You Can’t Live Without
Matthew Neill Null
 
For author interviews, photos, and more,  go to www.ohenryprizestories.com 
 
A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to support the PEN Readers & Writers Literary Outreach Program.
 

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