# Is "Shatterday" by Harlan Ellison a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Shatterday by Harlan Ellison (Houghton Mifflin, 1980) is identified by: The true first printing states "First Edition, December 1980" at the head of the copyright page (Houghton Mifflin, Boston). US Houghton Mifflin first hardcover is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The true first printing states "First Edition, December 1980" at the head of the copyright page (Houghton Mifflin, Boston)
- Collection of stories including the title novella, with cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon
- First-state dust jacket does NOT carry the George R. R. Martin blurb (that quotation appears on later jacket states/printings) and retains its original printed price on the flap
- Publisher imprint reads Houghton Mifflin
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Harlan Ellison |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
| Year | 1980 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The true first printing states "First Edition, December 1980" at the head of the copyright page (Houghton Mifflin, Boston) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The true first printing states "First Edition, December 1980" at the head of the copyright page (Houghton Mifflin, Boston). Collection of stories including the title novella, with cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon. First-state dust jacket does NOT carry the George R. R. Martin blurb (that quotation appears on later jacket states/printings) and retains its original printed price on the flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Houghton Mifflin first hardcover is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks the printed jacket price, shows a blind-stamp on the rear board, and does not carry the "First Edition, December 1980" statement.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Shatterday* by Harlan Ellison a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/shatterday
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.