O. Henry Award

O. Henry Award. The O. Henry Award is one of the most prestigious annual American honors given to short stories of exceptional merit. Established in 1919, the award commemorates the masterful short fiction of William Sydney Porter, who wrote under the famous pen name O. Henry. For over a century, the prize has served as a vital barometer for the evolving art of the short story in American literature, anthologizing winning works and introducing readers to seminal voices across generations. Its annual collections, often published by major houses like Doubleday and Anchor Books, have become essential archives of 20th-century literature and 21st-century literature.

History and establishment

The award was founded in 1919 by the Society of Arts and Sciences in New York City, shortly after the death of William Sydney Porter in 1910. Its creation was directly inspired by Porter's prolific output and his enduring popularity, particularly for stories featuring twist endings and empathetic portraits of everyday life in locales like New York City. The inaugural series was edited by Blanche Colton Williams, a professor at Hunter College, who helped establish its scholarly and literary credibility. Early volumes were published by Doubleday & Company, cementing a long-standing relationship with a major American publisher. The award's history reflects broader trends in American publishing, surviving the Great Depression and adapting to changing literary tastes over the decades, while consistently aiming to honor the spirit of its namesake's narrative ingenuity.

Selection process and criteria

The selection process has traditionally involved a panel of distinguished editors or jurors, often including notable authors, critics, and academics from institutions like The New Yorker or Columbia University. Stories are considered from a wide array of sources, including commercial magazines like The Atlantic Monthly, literary journals such as The Paris Review, and increasingly from online publications. The primary criterion is literary excellence, with jurors evaluating elements like character development, narrative structure, prose style, and emotional impact. There are no restrictions on theme or subject matter, allowing the annual collection to represent a diverse cross-section of contemporary American experience. The process is anonymous, with jurors reading submissions without knowledge of the author's identity to ensure the focus remains solely on the quality of the fiction.

Notable winners and stories

The roster of winners includes a veritable who's who of American literature, from early giants to contemporary luminaries. Early honorees included Sherwood Anderson, Dorothy Parker, and William Faulkner, whose story "Barn Burning" was selected. The mid-century saw awards for Truman Capote, John Cheever, Flannery O'Connor, and Saul Bellow. Later decades recognized the work of Alice Munro, Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, and Raymond Carver. Notable individual stories that received the prize include "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, a landmark in American Gothic fiction, and "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates. The award has also been instrumental in highlighting emerging talents, such as T. Coraghessan Boyle and Andrea Barrett, early in their careers.

Impact and legacy

The award has exerted a profound influence on the American literary landscape by validating the short story as a serious and vital art form. Its annual anthology, often used in classrooms at universities like University of Iowa and Stanford University, has introduced generations of students to the finest examples of the genre. By consistently featuring stories from both established masters and new voices, it has helped shape the canon of short fiction and provided a career-defining accolade for many writers. The prize's legacy is intertwined with the history of major literary institutions, including the PEN America and the National Book Awards, contributing to a broader ecosystem of literary recognition. Its endurance underscores the ongoing cultural importance of concise, powerful storytelling in the tradition of its namesake.

Administration and publication

Administration of the prize has shifted among various entities over its long history. After its founding by the Society of Arts and Sciences, stewardship later passed to editors and publishers directly involved in the annual anthology. For many years, the series was closely associated with Doubleday and later Anchor Books, an imprint of Random House. The editorial duties have been held by a succession of notable literary figures, including Herschel Brickell and William Abrahams. The winning stories are collected and published each year in a dedicated volume, typically titled *Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards*. These publications are distributed widely, available in bookstores and libraries across the United States, and have been frequently reviewed in major outlets like The New York Times Book Review.

Category:American literary awards Category:Short story awards Category:1919 establishments in the United States