# Is "Diplomatic Immunity" by Lois McMaster Bujold a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold (Baen Books, 2002) is identified by: Baen hardcover of 2002; the copyright page states 'First printing, May 2002' (Baen states first printing with month and year rather than 'First Edition') with a full number line ending in 1. US Baen hardcover (May 2002) is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Baen hardcover of 2002; the copyright page states 'First printing, May 2002' (Baen states first printing with month and year rather than 'First Edition') with a full number line ending in 1
- Bound in two-part grayish-blue boards with red metallic spine lettering, 311 pages, in a priced dust jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Baen Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lois McMaster Bujold |
| Publisher | Baen Books |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Baen hardcover of 2002; the copyright page states 'First printing, May 2002' (Baen states first printing with month and year rather than… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Baen hardcover of 2002; the copyright page states 'First printing, May 2002' (Baen states first printing with month and year rather than 'First Edition') with a full number line ending in 1. Bound in two-part grayish-blue boards with red metallic spine lettering, 311 pages, in a priced dust jacket.

## Is this the true first?
US Baen hardcover (May 2002) is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists and is distinct from the Baen trade first; the SFBC issue lacks the 'First printing, May 2002' statement and the number line ending in 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Diplomatic Immunity* by Lois McMaster Bujold a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/diplomatic-immunity
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.