# Is "Staying On" by Paul Scott a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Staying On by Paul Scott (William Heinemann, 1977) is identified by: First UK edition, William Heinemann, London, 1977. The Heinemann UK edition is the true first; the US William Morrow edition also appeared in 1977 and followed.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First UK edition, William Heinemann, London, 1977. 'First published 1977' stated on the copyright page, with no later impression line
- Original boards in dust jacket
- Winner of the 1977 Booker Prize; coda to the Raj Quartet
- Publisher imprint reads William Heinemann
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Paul Scott |
| Publisher | William Heinemann |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First UK edition, William Heinemann, London, 1977. 'First published 1977' stated on the copyright page, with no later impression line |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First UK edition, William Heinemann, London, 1977. 'First published 1977' stated on the copyright page, with no later impression line. Original boards in dust jacket. Winner of the 1977 Booker Prize; coda to the Raj Quartet.

## Is this the true first?
The Heinemann UK edition is the true first; the US William Morrow edition also appeared in 1977 and followed.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US Morrow edition carries a US imprint and is later within 1977. No prominent book-club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Staying On* by Paul Scott a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/staying-on
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.