Prize Stories 1992

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction”—The Atlantic Monthly
 
The O. Henry Prize Stories 1992 gathers 20 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines.

Stories include:
Cynthia Ozick “Puttermesser Paired” (first prize)
Lucy Honig “English as a Second Language”
Tom McNeal “What Happened to Tully”
Amy Herrick “Pinocchio’s Nose”
Murray Pomerance “Decor”
Joyce Carol Oates “Why Don’t You Come Live With Me It’s Time”
Mary Michael Wagner “Acts of Kindness”
Yolanda Barnes “Red Lipstick”
David Long “Blue Spruce”
Harriett Doerr “Way Stations”
Perri Klass “Dedication”
Daniel Meltzer “People”
Ken Chowder “With Seth in Tana Toraja”
Alice Adams “The Last Lovely City”
Frances Sherwood “Demiurges”
Antonya Nelson “The Control Group”
Millicent Dillon “Lost in L.A.”
Kent Nelson “The Mine from Nicaragua”
Ann Packer “Babies”
Kate Braverman “Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta”
 
“What readers can put their trust in is the ability of William Abrahams . . . to amass a selection of the finest short stories published in America.”—New York Times Book Review

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