# Is "Making an Elephant: Writing from Within" by Graham Swift a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Making an Elephant: Writing from Within by Graham Swift (Picador, 2009) is identified by: Essays/memoir (Swift's first non-fiction). UK Picador (2009) is the first edition; US Knopf followed in 2009.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Essays/memoir (Swift's first non-fiction)
- Hardback in boards with gilt spine lettering; full number line; dust jacket with UK price
- Publisher imprint reads Picador
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Graham Swift |
| Publisher | Picador |
| Year | 2009 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Essays/memoir (Swift's first non-fiction) |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Essays/memoir (Swift's first non-fiction). Hardback in boards with gilt spine lettering; full number line; dust jacket with UK price.

## Is this the true first?
UK Picador (2009) is the first edition; US Knopf followed in 2009.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions are stated on the copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Making an Elephant: Writing from Within* by Graham Swift a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/making-an-elephant-writing-from-within
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.