The points of issue
The original short-fiction 'Carrion Comfort' first appeared in the September/October 1983 issue of Omni magazine, before the expanded 1989 novel. This is a periodical appearance, not a book first edition.
Is this the true first?
For the novel, the true first is the 1989 Dark Harvest book; the 1983 Omni appearance is the first appearance of the shorter text only, noted for completists rather than as the novel's first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not applicable as a book; the magazine appearance is a periodical, not a book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Carrion Comfort (novella, original appearance) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The original short-fiction 'Carrion Comfort' first appeared in the September/October 1983 issue of Omni magazine, before the expanded 1989 novel. This is a periodical appearance, not a book first edition.
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. For the novel, the true first is the 1989 Dark Harvest book; the 1983 Omni appearance is the first appearance of the shorter text only, noted for completists rather than as the novel's first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not applicable as a book; the magazine appearance is a periodical, not a book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Carrion Comfort (novella, original appearance) — 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.