Harlan Ellison is jealous
If short stories are a lesser known form of literature (and an underappreciated one), it has everything to do with its marketing. Supposedly, it doesn't sell. Whatever. Short story collections still see the light of day in this era, even with the big, corporate "traditional" publishers. They're not just bunched up stories, but they are a cohesive object, often featuring recurring characters and often setting a follow-up novel. That gives another layer of depth to the form, as it creates an universe with several stories to tell about it. I'm always excited to read short story collections for that very reason. The nominees have created the richest, most immersive narrative universes through short stories collected in one volume. Here they are...
