A song of Ice and fire discussion (spoilers incl A Dance with Dragons)

[fool-ish]

I haven't read the last one Valarya and unless, by a stroke of luck I spot a second hand version, I won't be reading it until March when it comes out in paperback..that's gonna test my patience for sure!

What are these other books? I've missed something here! Short stories you say, does that mean they are part of an anthology type thing or can they be bought as stand alone books?