Prize Stories 1996

For the past three decades, William Abrahams has  selected the O. Henry Award winners. Building on  a tradition that spans over three quarters of a  century, The O. Henry Awards has been "widely  regarded as the nation's most prestigious awards  for short fiction" (The Atlantic  Monthly). Every year, Abrahams has chosen a  diverse group of stories and writers to creat a  collection that includes perennial favorites as well  as an increasing number of lesser known writers,  many of whom have gone on to become seminal voices  in current American fiction. Prize  Stories 1996 is both William Abrahams's  thirtieth anniversary as Editor of this landmark  collection and his last, which gives this collection a  special resonance. The twenty or more stories  selected for this honor each yhear are culled from a  broad range of American magazines both large and  small, offering the reader the full sweep and variety  of today's fiction. As in previous years,  Prize Stories 1996 concludes with a  contributors' notes section including comments by the  writers on the inspirations behind their stories,  providing readers with a unique entrÚe into the  writers' creative processes. Representing the  excellence of contemporary fiction writing, these stories  demonstrate the continuing strenghth and vitality  of the American short story.

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