Prize Stories 1986

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious award for short fiction.”—The Atlantic Monthly

The O. Henry Prize Stories 1986 collects 19 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. The 1986 winning story is Alice Walker’s “Kindred Spirits,” which profiles a young African-American woman after her divorce from her white husband. A Special Award for Continuing Achievement is given to Joyce Carol Oates for “Master Race” that narrates a shocking of a sexual assault in Germany. Other stories include:

Stuart Dybek “Pet Milk”
Greg Johnson “Crazy Ladies”
John L’Heureux “The Comedian”
Joyce R. Kornblatt “Offerings”
Ward Just “The Costa Brava, 1959”
Peter Meinke “Uncle George and Uncle Stefan”
Bobbie Anne Mason “Big Bertha Stories”
Merrill Joan Gerber “‘I Don’t Believe This’”
Gordon Lish “Resurrection”
Peter Cameron “Excerpts from Swan Lake”
Alice Adams “Molly’s Dog”
Deborah Eisenberg “Transaction in a Foreign Currency”
Anthony DiFranco “The Garden of Redemption”
Jeanne Wilmot “Dirt Angel”
Elizabeth Spencer “The Cousins”
Irvin Faust “The Year of the Hot Jock”
Stephanie Vaughn “Kid MacArthur”

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