Prize Stories 1993

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

Established in 1918 as a memorial to the master of the short story genre, O. Henry, Prize Stories has long been recognized as the premier forum for the contemporary story. The volume for 1993 carries forth the time-honored literary tradition in 23 selections as original and varied as the current trends in short fiction. The top prize for 1993 is awarded to Thom Jones’s “The Pugilist at Rest,” which explores the interior depths of depression through the eyes of Vietnam vet and former Marine boxing champion. Other stories in this collection include:

Andrea Lee “Winter Barley”
William F. Van Wert “Shaking”
Joyce Carol Oates “Goose-Girl”
Charles Eastman “Yellow Flags”
Cornelia Nixon “Risk”
Rilla Askew “The Killing Blanket”
Antonya Nelson “Dirty Words”
John H. Richardson “The Pink House”
Diane Levenberg “A Modern Love Story”
John Van Kirk “Newark Job”
Alice Adams “The Islands”
Stephen Dixon “The Rare Muscovite”
Lorrie Moore “Charades”
Kate Wheeler “Improving My Average”
Peter Weltner “The Greek Head”
C. E. Poverman “The Man Who Died”
Jennifer Egan “Puerto Vallarta”
Charles Johnson “Kwoon”
Linda Svendsen “The Edger Man”
Daniel Stern “The Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka: A Story”
Josephine Jacobsen “The Pier-Glass”
Steven Schwarz “Madagascar”

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