# Is "James" by Percival Everett a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of James by Percival Everett (Doubleday, 2024) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line ending in '1'; ISBN 9780385550369; black paper-covered boards. US Doubleday hardcover (2024) is the true first; the novel won the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line ending in '1'
- ISBN 9780385550369; black paper-covered boards
- First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price and no later-printing line
- The book reprinted heavily and quickly, so true first printings are comparatively scarce
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Percival Everett |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2024 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line ending in '1' |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line ending in '1'; ISBN 9780385550369; black paper-covered boards. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price and no later-printing line. The book reprinted heavily and quickly, so true first printings are comparatively scarce.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday hardcover (2024) is the true first; the novel won the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Signed firsts are common because of an active signing tour.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings state a higher number in the line; verify 'First Edition' plus a full number line including '1' for the true first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *James* by Percival Everett a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/james
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.