# Is "Dawn" by Octavia E. Butler a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Dawn by Octavia E. Butler (Warner Books, New York, 1987) is identified by: First Warner Books hardcover with 'First Printing: May 1987' on the copyright page and a complete number line descending to 1; priced jacket on the front flap. The US Warner hardcover is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First Warner Books hardcover with 'First Printing: May 1987' on the copyright page and a complete number line descending to 1; priced jacket on the front flap
- Cover illustration by Enric, jacket design by Don Puckey
- First of the Xenogenesis (Lilith's Brood) trilogy
- Publisher imprint reads Warner Books, New York
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Octavia E. Butler |
| Publisher | Warner Books, New York |
| Year | 1987 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First Warner Books hardcover with 'First Printing: May 1987' on the copyright page and a complete number line descending to 1; priced… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First Warner Books hardcover with 'First Printing: May 1987' on the copyright page and a complete number line descending to 1; priced jacket on the front flap. Cover illustration by Enric, jacket design by Don Puckey. First of the Xenogenesis (Lilith's Brood) trilogy.

## Is this the true first?
The US Warner hardcover is the true first. Warner also issued a simultaneous trade paperback; the hardcover has collecting priority. The UK Victor Gollancz edition (1987) follows.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club printing is smaller, carries an unpriced 'Book Club Edition' jacket and a blindstamp on the rear board, and lacks the Warner 'First Printing: May 1987' line and number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Dawn* by Octavia E. Butler a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/dawn
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.