Prize Stories 1985

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction.”—The Atlantic Monthly
 
The O. Henry Prize Stories 1985 gathers 21 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines.

Stories include:
Jane Smiley “Lily” (first prize, jointly awarded)
Stuart Dybek “Hot Ice” (first prize, jointly awarded)
Ann Beattie “In the White Night”
Helen Norris “The Quarry”
Susan Minot “Lust”
Claude Koch “Bread and Butter Questions”
Wright Morris “Glimpse into Another Country”
Louise Erdrich “Saint Marie”
R. C. Hamilton “Da Vinci Is Dead”
Joseph McElroy “Daughter of the Revolution”
Steve Heller “The Crow Woman”
Ward Just “About Boston”
Tobias Wolff “Sister”
Gloria Norris “Holding On”
Peter Cameron “Homework”
Ilene Raymond “Taking a Chance on Jack”
Eric Wilson “The Axe, the Axe, the Axe”
Joyce Carol Oates “The Seasons”
Rolaine Hochstein “She Should Have Died Hereafter”
Josephine Jacobsen “The Mango Community”
John Updike “The Other”
 
 
 

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