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

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler (Seven Stories Press, 2005) is identified by: Seven Stories Press hardcover, New York, 2005, Butler's final novel. US Seven Stories hardcover (October 2005) is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Seven Stories Press hardcover, New York, 2005, Butler's final novel
- The copyright page states 'First edition, October 2005' and carries a full number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (line must end in 1)
- Publisher's boards in a white pictorial dust jacket, which should retain its original printed price (any specific figure is not stated here)
- Publisher imprint reads Seven Stories Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Octavia E. Butler |
| Publisher | Seven Stories Press |
| Year | 2005 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Seven Stories Press hardcover, New York, 2005, Butler's final novel |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Seven Stories Press hardcover, New York, 2005, Butler's final novel. The copyright page states 'First edition, October 2005' and carries a full number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (line must end in 1). Publisher's boards in a white pictorial dust jacket, which should retain its original printed price (any specific figure is not stated here).

## Is this the true first?
US Seven Stories hardcover (October 2005) is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book-club edition exists; the club issue is distinguished from the trade first by the absence of the 'First edition, October 2005' statement and full number line, and typically lacks the printed jacket price.

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