The points of issue
First printing has the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page. Odd Thomas #4.
Is this the true first?
Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2008) is the true first; no limited or UK edition preceded it.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the number line and jacket price; early club copies also carried a dropped-text error in the opening line, later corrected.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Odd Hours a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page. Odd Thomas #4.
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. Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2008) is the true first; no limited or UK edition preceded it.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the number line and jacket price; early club copies also carried a dropped-text error in the opening line, later corrected.
I have a first edition of Odd Hours — 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.