# Is "Song of Kali" by Dan Simmons a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Song of Kali by Dan Simmons (Bluejay Books, 1985) is identified by: Bluejay Books hardcover, 1985, Simmons's first novel. The US Bluejay 1985 hardcover is the true first, Simmons's debut.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Bluejay Books hardcover, 1985, Simmons's first novel
- The first printing states First Bluejay Printing: November, 1985 on the copyright page; black cloth with gilt spine titles, jacket priced as issued
- Won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (presented 1986)
- Publisher imprint reads Bluejay Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dan Simmons |
| Publisher | Bluejay Books |
| Year | 1985 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Bluejay Books hardcover, 1985, Simmons's first novel |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
Bluejay Books hardcover, 1985, Simmons's first novel. The first printing states First Bluejay Printing: November, 1985 on the copyright page; black cloth with gilt spine titles, jacket priced as issued. Won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (presented 1986).

## Is this the true first?
The US Bluejay 1985 hardcover is the true first, Simmons's debut. It had a small run and is scarce. Bluejay also issued the title in paperback as a secondary state.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No major book-club issue is recorded. Reprints by other publishers are not the first. Confirm the Bluejay imprint and the First Bluejay Printing: November, 1985 statement on the hardcover copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Song of Kali* by Dan Simmons a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/song-of-kali
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.