# Is "The Dragon Waiting" by John M. Ford a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford (Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster, New York, 1983) is identified by: First edition under the Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster imprint, 1983 (full title 'The Dragon Waiting: A Masque of History'); copyright-page number line / first-printing statement; quarter crimson cloth over charcoal boards stamped in silver; price on the jacket flap. The US Timescape/S&S hardcover is the true first; UK and paperback editions follow.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition under the Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster imprint, 1983 (full title 'The Dragon Waiting: A Masque of History'); copyright-page number line / first-printing statement; quarter crimson cloth over charcoal boards stamped in silver; price on the jacket flap
- World Fantasy Award winner
- Publisher imprint reads Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster, New York
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John M. Ford |
| Publisher | Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster, New York |
| Year | 1983 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition under the Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster imprint, 1983 (full title 'The Dragon Waiting: A Masque of History')… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition under the Timescape Books / Simon & Schuster imprint, 1983 (full title 'The Dragon Waiting: A Masque of History'); copyright-page number line / first-printing statement; quarter crimson cloth over charcoal boards stamped in silver; price on the jacket flap. World Fantasy Award winner.

## Is this the true first?
The US Timescape/S&S hardcover is the true first; UK and paperback editions follow. Confirm the Timescape imprint and the S&S number line.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club printing shows a rear-board gutter blindstamp and an unpriced jacket; confirm the Timescape imprint and the S&S number line for the trade first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Dragon Waiting* by John M. Ford a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-dragon-waiting
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.