The points of issue
New English Library (UK) paperback original, 1985. There is no 1985 hardcover; the first hardcover edition came from Kinnell (UK) in 1992. First printing carries the NEL 1985 first-publication statement with no later reprint dates listed.
Is this the true first?
The NEL UK paperback original is the true first. The North American Paper Jacks paperback and the 1992 Kinnell UK hardcover both came later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A paperback original, so book club hardcovers are not a concern. Do not mistake the 1992 Kinnell hardcover for the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Beware! a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: New English Library (UK) paperback original, 1985. There is no 1985 hardcover; the first hardcover edition came from Kinnell (UK) in 1992. First printing carries the NEL 1985 first-publication statement with no later reprint dates listed.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The NEL UK paperback original is the true first. The North American Paper Jacks paperback and the 1992 Kinnell UK hardcover both came later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A paperback original, so book club hardcovers are not a concern. Do not mistake the 1992 Kinnell hardcover for the first edition.
I have a first edition of Beware! — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.