First Editions

First edition? How to you know? Well let me tell you! Every book, be it mass market, or hard cover, has a string of numbers at the bottom of the page that follows the title page. The title page is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s usually where I sign, along with the title and author, and publishing info. But it’s the one following it where all the disclaimers are that you’ll find the edition number. The numbers at the bottom count down from 10 to 1 in the first editions, 10 to 2 in the second editions, 10 to 3 in the third editions, and so on. After the 10th edition, they start over from 20 to 11.

Sometimes I can tell by the feel of the book and the yellowing of the pages if it’s a first edition and I take an extra moment in the signing line to lovingly flip the page to check it out. I’m right about 90% of the time. The other 10% I’m usually way off and the book has just been loved to near death and the owner and I have a laugh and I usually find out it’s been dropped in the tub or passed around to fifteen people. (which I love even more). So first editions mean something to me, yes, especially DEAD WITCH WALKING, the only one I really look for. There weren’t a whole lot of them released in comparison to a release now, and I only spot one or two in the entire two weeks that I’m out.

The only reason I bring it up today is that I know first editions are important to some of you guys as well, be it mass market or hard cover, and I’ve got a few titles that the first edition will soon be hard to find. Right now, I’m guessing it’s probably 50/50 that the EVER AFTER you find on the shelf or order from Amazon is a first edition. I started seeing 2nd editions in the lines even before tour was over, but Nicola’s still has them, having stocked up before I left. I can sign it, too, if you ask in the comment box when ordering. http://www.nicolasbooks.com/book/9780061957918

And even more rare as a first edition will be THE HOLLOWS INSIDER. This is the Hollows world book, the one that glows in the dark. The one that I pulled my hair out over. The one I lived in fear for six months for because I had stepped over the line of expectation and I didn’t know if my editor was going to go for. (She did, and I’d love her for that if nothing else.) The one that is a real and solid expression of my commitment and love for what I do. (And I will NEVER do this again.) I’m surprised that they haven’t been pulled already, but I got notice today that trade paperbacks will soon take their place. You can still get the first edition hard covers from any store as far as I know, though they might have to ship it in, but again, Nicola’s has them, and if you ask in the comment box when ordering, I will drop in and sign the glow in the dark hard cover for you before they ship them out. http://www.nicolasbooks.com/book/9780061974335