# Is "Bite" by Richard Laymon a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Bite by Richard Laymon (Headline, 1996) is identified by: Headline, London, 1996 hardcover first British edition; first printing carries a full number line; jacket art by Steve Crisp. UK Headline hardcover is the true first; US editions followed later.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Headline, London, 1996 hardcover first British edition; first printing carries a full number line; jacket art by Steve Crisp
- Publisher imprint reads Headline
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Laymon |
| Publisher | Headline |
| Year | 1996 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Headline, London, 1996 hardcover first British edition; first printing carries a full number line; jacket art by Steve Crisp |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Headline, London, 1996 hardcover first British edition; first printing carries a full number line; jacket art by Steve Crisp.

## Is this the true first?
UK Headline hardcover is the true first; US editions followed later.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club and reprint copies lack the full number line; require the complete line and priced jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Bite* by Richard Laymon a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/bite
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.