The points of issue
Headline (Headline Feature), London, 1995 hardcover first edition; first printing carries a full number line; dust jacket art by Steve Crisp.
Is this the true first?
UK Headline hardcover is the true first; Laymon's mid-1990s novels appeared in Britain first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club and later printings lack the complete number line; a first printing shows the full line ending in 1 with jacket price intact.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Island a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Headline (Headline Feature), London, 1995 hardcover first edition; first printing carries a full number line; dust jacket art by Steve Crisp.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. UK Headline hardcover is the true first; Laymon's mid-1990s novels appeared in Britain first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club and later printings lack the complete number line; a first printing shows the full line ending in 1 with jacket price intact.
I have a first edition of Island — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.