The points of issue
Penguin Press imprint on the title page; a complete number line including 1 on the copyright page identifies the first printing; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. Debut story collection.
Is this the true first?
The US Penguin Press hardcover (2014) is the true first; the book won the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction. First-issue jackets predate any award seal or banner.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition is a concern. Confirm a complete number line ending in 1 and an unclipped first-issue jacket without an award seal.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Redeployment a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Penguin Press imprint on the title page; a complete number line including 1 on the copyright page identifies the first printing; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. Debut story collection.
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 US Penguin Press hardcover (2014) is the true first; the book won the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction. First-issue jackets predate any award seal or banner.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition is a concern. Confirm a complete number line ending in 1 and an unclipped first-issue jacket without an award seal.
I have a first edition of Redeployment — 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.