The points of issue
Macmillan UK hardcover (published September 2002), priced jacket, number line ending in 1. A near-future prequel to the Commonwealth setting.
Is this the true first?
UK Macmillan hardcover (2002) is the true first; the US edition did not appear until years later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Misspent Youth a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Macmillan UK hardcover (published September 2002), priced jacket, number line ending in 1. A near-future prequel to the Commonwealth setting.
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 Macmillan hardcover (2002) is the true first; the US edition did not appear until years later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Misspent Youth — 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.