The O. Henry Prize Stories 2016

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2016 gathers twenty of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. The winning stories range in setting from Japan at the outset of World War II to a remote cabin in the woods of Wyoming, and the characters that inhabit them range from a misanthropic survivor of an apocalyptic flood to a unicorn hidden in a suburban house. Whether fantastical or realistic, gothic or lyrical, the stories here are uniformly breathtaking. They are accompanied by the editor’s introduction, essays from the eminent jurors on their favorites, observations from the winning writers on what inspired them, and an extensive resource list of magazines.

CONTENTS

"Irises," Elizabeth Genovise
"The Mongerji Letters," Geetha Iyer
"Narrator," Elizabeth Tallent
"Bonus Baby," Joe Donnelly
"Divergence," David H. Lynn
"A Simple Composition," Shruti Swamy
"Storm Windows," Charles Haverty
"Train to Harbin," Asako Serizawa
"Dismemberment," Wendell Berry
"Exit Zero," Marie-Helene Bertino
"Cigarettes," Sam Savage
"Temples," Adrienne Celt
"Safety," Lydia Fitzpatrick
"Bounty," Diane Cook
"A Single Deliberate Thing," Zebbie Watson
"The Crabapple Tree," Robert Coover
"Winter 1965," Frederic Tuten
"They Were Awake," Rebecca Evanhoe
"Slumming," Ottessa Moshfegh   
"Happiness," Ron Carlson
The Jurors on Their Favorites: Molly Antopol, Peter Cameron, Lionel Shriver
The Writers on Their Work
Publications Submitted

For author interviews, photos, and more, go to www.ohenryprizestories.com  

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