# Is "Eragon (Inheritance Cycle 1) — self-published" by Christopher Paolini a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Eragon (Inheritance Cycle 1) — self-published by Christopher Paolini (Paolini International LLC, 2002) is identified by: TRUE FIRST: self-published edition in original pictorial paper wrappers under the Paolini International LLC imprint, Livingston, Montana; cover art (Saphira's eye) and interior maps drawn by the author; back-of-book author's note to readers asking them to spread the word; an unabridged text roughly 20,000 words longer than the later Knopf edition (ISBN 0966621334). The 2002 self-published Paolini International wrappers edition is the true first and the scarce collectible; the 2003 Knopf hardcover is the first commercial trade edition but a revised (shorter) second edition of the work.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- TRUE FIRST: self-published edition in original pictorial paper wrappers under the Paolini International LLC imprint, Livingston, Montana; cover art (Saphira's eye) and interior maps drawn by the author; back-of-book author's note to readers asking them to spread the word; an unabridged text roughly 20,000 words longer than the later Knopf edition (ISBN 0966621334)
- Printed in 2001, dated 2002; often signed, as the family hand-sold copies
- Publisher imprint reads Paolini International LLC
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Christopher Paolini |
| Publisher | Paolini International LLC |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Children's / illustrated |
| Key point | TRUE FIRST: self-published edition in original pictorial paper wrappers under the Paolini… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
TRUE FIRST: self-published edition in original pictorial paper wrappers under the Paolini International LLC imprint, Livingston, Montana; cover art (Saphira's eye) and interior maps drawn by the author; back-of-book author's note to readers asking them to spread the word; an unabridged text roughly 20,000 words longer than the later Knopf edition (ISBN 0966621334). Printed in 2001, dated 2002; often signed, as the family hand-sold copies.

## Is this the true first?
The 2002 self-published Paolini International wrappers edition is the true first and the scarce collectible; the 2003 Knopf hardcover is the first commercial trade edition but a revised (shorter) second edition of the work. Distinguish carefully — the Knopf is far more common.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The 2003 Knopf hardcover is a different, revised edition, not the true first. Confirm the 'Paolini International LLC' wrappers, the author's back-of-book note, and the longer text for the genuine self-published first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Eragon (Inheritance Cycle 1) — self-published* by Christopher Paolini a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/eragon-inheritance-cycle-1-self-published
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.