The points of issue
US first edition: HarperCollins, New York, 2001, with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; 2,500 copies were signed and carry a gold 'signed first edition' sticker on the jacket. UK first edition: HarperCollins, London, 2001, first-publication statement with a number line including 1.
Is this the true first?
UK and US HarperCollins editions appeared in autumn 2001 with no firmly established precedence; collectors treat both as first editions.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the printed jacket price and the complete number line, and are typically smaller with cheaper binding.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Coldheart Canyon a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US first edition: HarperCollins, New York, 2001, with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; 2,500 copies were signed and carry a gold 'signed first edition' sticker on the jacket. UK first edition: HarperCollins, London, 2001, first-publication statement with a number line including 1.
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. UK and US HarperCollins editions appeared in autumn 2001 with no firmly established precedence; collectors treat both as first editions.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club copies lack the printed jacket price and the complete number line, and are typically smaller with cheaper binding.
I have a first edition of Coldheart Canyon — 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.