Riseball

A fierce, moving, and funny coming-of-age novel about estranged sisters who must play on the same softball team after one of them comes out as transgender, from New York Times bestselling and Stonewall award-winning author of One of the Boys.

Last year, Josie was the most promising young pitcher in the state—now she’s just the girl who had a breakdown on the mound and came out as trans. At a new school, away from her overbearing dad and his oppressive expectations, Josie is ready for a fresh start. But when she chokes at baseball tryouts, failing to make the team, a friend convinces her to try softball instead.

Amy has spent her entire life in Josie’s shadow. Despite—or maybe because of—her father’s obvious favoritism, Amy has become one of the best softball pitchers in New York. She doesn’t care that Josie is new to school or newly out; softball is Amy’s thing.

While Josie struggles to fit in and adjust to a new sport, Amy wrestles with deep-rooted resentment and worsening symptoms of PCOS. And when Josie's place on the team causes backlash, both sisters’ softball careers are put into jeopardy. Can Josie and Amy look beyond their fraught past to protect the game they both love, or will old wounds tear them even further apart?

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