The points of issue
First printing has the copyright page stating A Bantam Book / December 2007 with the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.
Is this the true first?
Bantam US trade hardcover (November 2007) is the true first; the Charnel House limited followed in March 2008.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club and large print club editions were issued simultaneously; they lack the number line and jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Darkest Evening of the Year a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the copyright page stating A Bantam Book / December 2007 with the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.
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. Bantam US trade hardcover (November 2007) is the true first; the Charnel House limited followed in March 2008.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club and large print club editions were issued simultaneously; they lack the number line and jacket price.
I have a first edition of The Darkest Evening of the Year — 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.