# Is "Living by Fiction" by Annie Dillard a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Living by Fiction by Annie Dillard (Harper & Row, 1982) is identified by: Harper & Row (New York) first edition, first printing: the copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with a complete number line descending to 1, dated 1982 (ISBN 0060149604), a 192-page hardcover in the original dust jacket. True first US edition of this work of criticism, published April 1982 by Harper & Row.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Harper & Row (New York) first edition, first printing: the copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with a complete number line descending to 1, dated 1982 (ISBN 0060149604), a 192-page hardcover in the original dust jacket
- The first-issue jacket carries the printed cover price on the front flap
- Dillard's book of literary criticism
- Publisher imprint reads Harper & Row
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Annie Dillard |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
| Year | 1982 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Harper & Row (New York) first edition, first printing: the copyright page states 'FIRST… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Harper & Row (New York) first edition, first printing: the copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with a complete number line descending to 1, dated 1982 (ISBN 0060149604), a 192-page hardcover in the original dust jacket. The first-issue jacket carries the printed cover price on the front flap. Dillard's book of literary criticism.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition of this work of criticism, published April 1982 by Harper & Row.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings and reprints exist; confirm the first by the stated 'FIRST EDITION' line together with the complete number line ending in 1 and the priced first-issue jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Living by Fiction* by Annie Dillard a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/living-by-fiction
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.