Books in the The O. Henry Prize Collection series

So many great novels in the Western canon began as mere magazine stories. In this amazing collection, editor William Abrahams brings the best literature that periodicals had to give during 1995. These prize winning stories will not only entertain but give a glimpse into the mindset of the mid-nineties.

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction”—The Atlantic Monthly   The O. Henry Prize Stories 1990 gathers 20 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. Stories include: Leo E. Litwak “The Eleventh Edition” (first prize) Peter Matthiessen “Lumumba Lives” (second prize) Lore Segal “The Reverse Bug” (third prize) Joyce Carol Oates “Heat” Carolyn Osborn “The Grands” James P. Blaylock “Unidentified Objects” Jane Brown Gillette “Sins Against Animals” Julie Schumacher “The Private Life of Robert Schumann” Joanne Greenberg “Elizabeth Baird” Alice Adams “1940: Fall” T. Coraghessan Boyle “The Ape Lady in Retirement” Marilyn Sides “The Island of the Mapmaker’s Wife” David Michael Kaplan “Stand” Meredith Steinbach “In Recent History” Claudia Smith Brinson “Einstein’s Daughter” Felicia  Ackerman “The Forecasting Game” Reginald McKnight “The Kind of Light That Shines on Texas” Bruce Fleming “The Autobiography of Gertrude Stein” Devon Jersild “In Which John Imagines His Mind as a Pond” Janice Eidus “Vito Loves Geraldine”   “One of the most welcome signs of the literary spring is the appearance of the annual O. Henry Awards collection.”—Los Angeles Times

The O. Henry Prize Stories 1991 collects 20 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. “The Sandstone Farmhouse” by John Updike, which tells of a difficult relationship of a son and his mother over 50 years, takes the coveted top prize. The other stories in this collection are: Joyce Carol Oates “The Swimmers” Sharon Sheehe Stark “Overland” Martha Lacy Hall “The Apple-Green Triumph” Wayne Johnson “Hippies, Indians, Buffalo” Perri Klass “For Women Everywhere” Helen Norris “Raisin Faces” Patricia Lear “Powwow” Charles Baxter “Saul and Patsy Are Pregnant” Sylvia A. Watanabe “Talking to the Dead” T. Alan Broughton “Ashes” Diane Levenberg “The Ilui” Ursula K. Le Guin “Hand, Cup, Shell” Alice Adams “Earthquake Damage” Charlotte Zoë Walker “The Very Pineapple” Ronald Sukenick “Ecco” Dennis McFarland “Nothing to Ask For” Millicent Dillon “Oil and Water” Marly Swick “Moscow Nights” Thomas Fox Averill “During the Twelfth Summer of Elmer D. Peterson” “This collection is both meritorious and diverse. The work ranges from plainly written stories brimming with resonant significance to full-blown extravaganzas. . . . Recommended.”—Library Journal

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction”—The Atlantic Monthly   The O. Henry Prize Stories 1992 gathers 20 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. Stories include: Cynthia Ozick “Puttermesser Paired” (first prize) Lucy Honig “English as a Second Language” Tom McNeal “What Happened to Tully” Amy Herrick “Pinocchio’s Nose” Murray Pomerance “Decor” Joyce Carol Oates “Why Don’t You Come Live With Me It’s Time” Mary Michael Wagner “Acts of Kindness” Yolanda Barnes “Red Lipstick” David Long “Blue Spruce” Harriett Doerr “Way Stations” Perri Klass “Dedication” Daniel Meltzer “People” Ken Chowder “With Seth in Tana Toraja” Alice Adams “The Last Lovely City” Frances Sherwood “Demiurges” Antonya Nelson “The Control Group” Millicent Dillon “Lost in L.A.” Kent Nelson “The Mine from Nicaragua” Ann Packer “Babies” Kate Braverman “Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta”   “What readers can put their trust in is the ability of William Abrahams . . . to amass a selection of the finest short stories published in America.”—New York Times Book Review

“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”

“Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction.”—The Atlantic Monthly   The O. Henry Prize Stories 1994 gathers 21 of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines.   Stories include:Alison Baker “Better Be Ready ‘Bout Half Past Eight” (first prize) John Rolfe Gardiner “The Voyage Out” (second prize) Lorrie Moore “Terrific Mother” (third prize) Stuart Dybek “We Didn’t” Marlin Barton “Jeremiah’s Road” Kelly Cherry “Not the Phil Donahue Show” Elizabeth Cox “The Third of July” Terry Bain “Games” Amy Bloom “Semper Fidelis” Michael Fox “Rise and Shine” David McLean “Marine Corps Issue” Elizabeth Graver “The Boy Who Fell Forty Feet” Susan Starr Richards “The Hanging in the Foaling Barn” Janice Eidus “Pandora’s Box” Judith Ortiz Cofer “Nada” Mary Tannen “Elaine’s House” Dennis Trudell “Gook” Helen Fremont “Where She Was” Elizabeth Oness “The Oracle” Katherine L. Hester “Labor” Thomas E. Kennedy “Landing Zone X-Ray”  

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.

Established in 1918 as a memorial to O. Henry, this annual literary tradition has presented a remarkable offering of stories over its 76-year history. O. Henry first-prize winners have included Dorothy Parker, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, John Cheever, John Updike, and Cynthia Ozick as well as some lesser know writers such as Alison Baker and Cornelia Nixon. Many talented writers who were unknown when first chosen for an O. Henry Award later went on to become seminal voices of contemporary American fiction. Representative of the very best in contemporary American fiction, these are varied, full-bodied fictional creations brimming with life--proof of the continuing strength and variety of the American short story.

Established in 1918 as a memorial to O. Henry, this annual literary tradition has presented a remarkable offering of stories over its seventy-seven-year history. O. Henry first-prize winners have included Dorothy Parker, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, John Cheever, John Updike, and Cynthia Ozick, as well as some lesser-known writers such as Alison Baker and Cornelia Nixon. Many talented writers who were unknown when first chosen for an O. Henry Award later went on to become seminal voices of contemporary American fiction. Representative of the very best in contemporary American fiction, these are varied, full-bodied fictional creations brimming with life--proof of the continuing strength and variety of the American short story.

The seventy-ninth anniversary of this annual collection of short stories "widely regarded as the nation''s most prestigious awards for short fiction." (The Atlantic Monthly).Edited and with an introduction by Larry Dark1999 Top-Prize Selection Jury: Sherman Alexie, Stephen King, Lorrie MooreEstablished in 1918 as a memorial to O.Henry, this esteemed annual collection has presented a remarkable collection of stories over the years. Recently, Series Editor Larry Dark has incorporated some exciting changes: a magazine award, the eligibility of stories from Canadian magazines, a list of fifty Honorable Mention stories, an expanded listing of publications consulted, and a celebrity author top-prize jury.Representing the very best in contemporary American and Canadian fiction, Prize Stories 1999: The O.Henry Awards is a superb collection of twenty inventive, full-bodied short stories brimming with life--proof of the continuing strength and variety of the genre.

An Anchor OriginalThe 80th anniversary edition of "the nation''s most prestigious awards for the short story."--The Atlantic MonthlyEstablished early in the last century as a memorial to O. Henry, throughout its history this annual collection has consistently offered a remarkable sampling of contemporary short stories. Each year stories are chosen from large and small literary magazines and a panel of distinguished writers is enlisted to award the top prizes. The result is a superb collection of twenty inventive, full-bodied stories representing the very best in American and Canadian fiction.

Established early in the last century as a memorial to O. Henry, throughout its history this annual collection has consistently offered a remarkable sampling of contemporary short stories. Each year, stories are chosen from large and small literary magazines, and a panel of distinguished writers is enlisted to award top prizes. The result is a superb collection of seventeen inventive, full-bodied stories representing the very best in American and Canadian fiction. And in celebration of this distinguished literary form, Prize Stories 2001 a Special Award for Continuing Achievement is presented to Alice Munro.FIRST PRIZEMARY SWANThe DeepSECOND PRIZEDAN CHAONBig MeTHIRD PRIZEALICE MUNROFloating BridgeFRED G. LEEBRONThat WinterT.CORAGHESSAN BOYLEThe Love of My LifeJOYCE CAROL OATESThe Girl with the Blackened EyeDAVID SCHICKLERThe SmokerANTONYA NELSONFemale TroubleELIZABETH GRAVERThe Mourning DoorPICKNEY BENEDICTZog-19: A Scientific RomanceRON CARLSONAt the Jim BridgerLOUISE EDRICHRevival RoadWILLIAM GAYThe PaperhangerDALE PECKBlissMURAD KALAMBow DownGEORGE SAUNDERSPastoraliaANDREA BARRETTServants of the Map

Established early in the last century as a memorial to the great American short story master O. Henry, throughout its history this annual collection has consistently offered a remarkable sampling of contemporary short stories. Each year, stories are chosen from large and small literary magazines, and a panel of distinguished writers is enlisted to make the final selection. The result is a superb collection of inventive, full-bodied stories representing the very best in American and Canadian fiction.

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2017 contains twenty breathtaking stories—by a vibrant mix of established and emerging writers—selected by the series editor from the thousands published in literary magazines over the previous year. The collection includes essays by the three eminent guest jurors on their favorite stories, observations from the winning writers on what inspired them, and a comprehensive resource list of the many magazines and journals, both large and small, that publish short fiction.  “Too Good To Be True,” Michelle Huneven“Something for a Young Woman,” Genevieve Plunkett“The Buddhist,” Alan Rossi“Garments,” Tahmima Anam“Protection,” Paola Peroni“Night Garden,” Shruti Swamy“A Cruelty,” Kevin Barry“Floating Garden,” Mary La Chapelle“The Trusted Traveler,” Joseph O’Neill“Blue Dot,” Keith Eisner“Lion,” Wil Weitzel“Paddle to Canada,” Heather Monley“A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness,” Jai Chakrabarti“The Bride and the Street Party,” Kate Cayley“Secret Lives of the Detainees,” Amit Majmudar“Glory,” Lesley Nneka Arimah“Mercedes Benz,” Martha Cooley“The Reason Is Because,” Manuel Muñoz“The Family Whistle,” Gerard Woodward“Buttony,” Fiona McFarlaneThe jurors this year are David Bradley, Elizabeth McCracken, and Brad Watson.For author interviews, photos, and more, go to www.ohenryprizestories.com

The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2012 gathers twenty of the best short stories of the year, selected from thousands published in literary magazines. These remarkable stories explore the boundaries of the imagination in settings as various as an army training camp in China, the salt mines of Detroit, a divided Balkan town, and the eye of a hurricane. Also included are essays from the eminent jurors on their favorite stories, observations from the winners on what inspired them, and an extensive resource list of magazines.

Since its establishment in 1919, the O. Henry Prize stories collection has offered an exciting selection of the best stories published in hundreds of literary magazines every year. Such classic works of American literature as Ernest Hemingway’s The Killers (1927); William Faulkner’s Barn Burning (1939); Carson McCuller’s A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud (1943); Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery (1949); J.D. Salinger’s For Esme with Love and Squalor (1963); John Cheever’s The Country Husband (1956) ; and Flannery O’Conner’s Everything that Rises Must Converge (1963) all were O. Henry Prize stories. An accomplished new series editor--novelist and short story writer Laura Furman--has read more than a thousand stories to identify the 20 winners, each one a pleasure to read today, each one a potential classic. The O. Henry Prize Stories 2003 also contains brief essays from each of the three distinguished judges on their favorite story, and comments from the prize-winning writers on what inspired their stories. There is nothing like the ever rich, surprising, and original O. Henry collection for enjoying the contemporary short story.The Thing in the Forest A. S. Byatt The Shell Collector Anthony Doerr Burn Your Maps Robyn Jay Leff Lush Bradford Morrow God’s Goodness Marjorie Kemper Bleed Blue in Indonesia Adam Desnoyers The Story Edith Pearlman Swept Away T. Coraghessan Boyle Meanwhile Ann Harleman Three Days. A Month. More. Douglas Light The High Road Joan Silber Election Eve Evan S. Connell Irish Girl Tim Johnston What Went Wrong Tim O’Brien The American Embassy Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Kissing William Kittredge Sacred Statues William Trevor Two Words Molly Giles Fathers Alice Munro Train Dreams Denis Johnson