# Is "Earthfall" by Orson Scott Card a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Earthfall by Orson Scott Card (Tor Books, 1995) is identified by: Tor hardcover, New York, ISBN 0-312-93039-9. US Tor hardcover (February 1995) is the true first; the copyright page's own wording is 'First trade edition,' which precedes the signed/limited state and any later printing.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor hardcover, New York, ISBN 0-312-93039-9
- The copyright page states 'First trade edition: February 1995' (not 'First Edition') with a full Tor number line descending to 1
- Homecoming vol
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain its original printed price (any specific figure is not stated here)
- A signed limited issue also exists
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1995 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor hardcover, New York, ISBN 0-312-93039-9 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor hardcover, New York, ISBN 0-312-93039-9. The copyright page states 'First trade edition: February 1995' (not 'First Edition') with a full Tor number line descending to 1. Homecoming vol. 4. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its original printed price (any specific figure is not stated here). A signed limited issue also exists.

## Is this the true first?
US Tor hardcover (February 1995) is the true first; the copyright page's own wording is 'First trade edition,' which precedes the signed/limited state and any later printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club text appeared in the GuildAmerica/SFBC omnibus Homecoming: Earth, which combines Earthfall and Earthborn; the trade first is distinguished by the 'First trade edition: February 1995' statement and number line, features the club omnibus lacks.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Earthfall* by Orson Scott Card a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/earthfall
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.