Why Trees

“A brilliant, unexpected writer . . . Hannah Gold is giving the NYC creative class a treatment both brutal and tender in Why Trees, her genre-bending, almost irritatingly funny first collection of short stories . . . [as] if Tony Tulathimutte’s Rejection had a baby with Mary Gaitskill’s Bad Behavior.” —Lena Dunham

Accomplished critic Hannah Gold makes her fiction debut in this funny, wise, curious collection of stories exploring the glorious absurdities of life in New York City

“People suffering extreme emotional states can so easily fly under the radar in this city, don’t you find?”

Across the nine stories in Why Trees, New Yorkers find themselves spotlit on a beautiful, dysfunctional stage cluttered with artists, grifters, and eccentrics all attempting to secure increasingly scarce footholds for themselves before the curtains come down. A prolific night blogger for a feminist website uses her boyfriend as a writing chair. A reality TV family hailing from Soho meets their superfan. A journalist working for an insolvent local newsroom ventures out to an artists’ encampment on Ellis Island for one final scoop. These characters’ quests—for love, creative fulfillment, a steady paycheck, a sense of belonging—are only further complicated by the follies of city living: financial and emotional insecurity, vanity, propinquity, and pure chaos.

Precise but playful, wry but emotionally resonant, Why Trees introduces a charming, perceptive, original voice through these sharp and memorable portraits of characters performing for mercurial audiences, seeking connection, and straining against the boundaries that have been set for them.

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