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

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Heartfire by Orson Scott Card (Tor Books, 1998) is identified by: Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates) hardcover, ISBN 0-312-85054-9, bound in quarter brown paper over orange paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; collation [10], 11-301, [3] pages. The US Tor hardcover (1998) is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates) hardcover, ISBN 0-312-85054-9, bound in quarter brown paper over orange paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; collation [10], 11-301, [3] pages
- The copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line descending to 1
- The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed front-flap price (present, unclipped)
- Tales of Alvin Maker, Book V
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1998 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates) hardcover, ISBN 0-312-85054-9, bound in quarter brown paper over orange paper-covered boards with gilt… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates) hardcover, ISBN 0-312-85054-9, bound in quarter brown paper over orange paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; collation [10], 11-301, [3] pages. The copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line descending to 1. The first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed front-flap price (present, unclipped). Tales of Alvin Maker, Book V.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor hardcover (1998) is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists; distinguished by a blindstamped code on the lower rear board and the absence of a printed price on the dust jacket, versus the priced Tor trade jacket which states 'First Edition' on the copyright page.

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