The points of issue
London: Headline, 1991. Copyright page states First published in Great Britain in 1991 by Headline Book Publishing PLC, with a complete number line running down to 1. ISBN 0747204071.
Is this the true first?
The UK Headline hardcover is the true first; Laymon had no US hardcover market at this time and the US edition appeared only years later as a Leisure paperback.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
UK book club (BCA) reprints of Laymon's Headline titles exist: they carry a BCA imprint rather than the Headline ISBN and number line, and the jacket lacks a printed price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of One Rainy Night a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: London: Headline, 1991. Copyright page states First published in Great Britain in 1991 by Headline Book Publishing PLC, with a complete number line running down to 1. ISBN 0747204071.
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. The UK Headline hardcover is the true first; Laymon had no US hardcover market at this time and the US edition appeared only years later as a Leisure paperback.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
UK book club (BCA) reprints of Laymon's Headline titles exist: they carry a BCA imprint rather than the Headline ISBN and number line, and the jacket lacks a printed price.
I have a first edition of One Rainy Night — 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.