O. Henry Award
Annual American prize recognizing outstanding short stories, published each year as the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories anthology and named for short story writer O. Henry.
Overview
The O. Henry Award is an annual literary prize that recognizes excellence in short fiction. It honors short stories first published in magazines in the United States and Canada in English. The award takes its name from William Sydney Porter, the American short story writer better known by his pen name O. Henry, celebrated for his economy of language and surprise endings. For readers and writers alike, the award highlights notable achievement in the short-story form.
Selection and the annual anthology
Each year a group of editors and guest jurors compiles a selection of the finest stories, which are gathered in a single volume published as the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories. That annual anthology presents what its editors consider the twenty best stories from qualifying magazines in the U.S. and Canada, offering a snapshot of contemporary short fiction and a convenient entry point for readers, teachers, and librarians. For more details about eligibility and selection procedures see official award information.
History and naming
The award is named for O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), whose reputation as a master of the short tale made his name an apt eponym. Over the decades the structure of recognition has varied: the prize has sometimes emphasized ranked winners and at other times focused on the annual collected selections. Contemporary presentations tend to foreground the anthology and the chosen stories rather than a single monetary first prize. Background and archival material can be explored at resources such as author biographies and publisher notes available online.
Importance and uses
The O. Henry Award is regarded as one of the more prestigious honors for short fiction in North America. Inclusion in the anthology can raise a writer's profile, help secure teaching adoptions, and introduce readers to a range of emerging and established voices. Libraries and creative-writing programs commonly use the yearly volume as a teaching aid and a way to track trends in contemporary storytelling. Sample anthologies and past lists are often cited in literary studies; a catalog of editions and contributors can be consulted at publication records.
Notable facts and distinctions
- The formal name of the prize is the O. Henry Award, though many refer to the collected volume as the O. Henry Prize Stories.
- Eligibility is generally limited to stories published in English in U.S. and Canadian periodicals.
- For current submission windows, recent jurors, and bookstore listings see the publisher and sponsoring organizations at sponsor pages.
Questions and answers
Q: What is the O. Henry Award?
A: The O. Henry Award is an award given to recognize especially good short stories, named after American short story author O. Henry.
Q: How often is the O. Henry Award given?
A: The O. Henry Award is given annually.
Q: What is the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories?
A: The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories is a yearly book that includes the top twenty short stories written in English from magazines in the United States and Canada.
Q: What is the award officially called?
A: The award is officially called The O. Henry Award.
Q: Were there previously first, second, and third place winners?
A: Yes, until recently there were first, second, and third prize winners.
Q: Who is O. Henry?
A: O. Henry was an American short story author who the award is named after.
Q: What types of stories does the O. Henry Award recognize?
A: The O. Henry Award is given for especially good short stories.
Author
AlegsaOnline.com O. Henry Award Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/143539