# Is "The Falling Woman" by Pat Murphy a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Falling Woman by Pat Murphy (Tor Books, 1986) is identified by: Tor hardcover, octavo, in boards; first printing stated on the copyright page as 'First printing: November 1986' together with a full number line ending in 1; priced dust jacket. The US Tor 1986 hardcover is the true first edition, preceding the paperback.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor hardcover, octavo, in boards; first printing stated on the copyright page as 'First printing: November 1986' together with a full number line ending in 1; priced dust jacket
- The hardcover is the first form
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Pat Murphy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1986 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor hardcover, octavo, in boards; first printing stated on the copyright page as 'First printing: November 1986' together with a full… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor hardcover, octavo, in boards; first printing stated on the copyright page as 'First printing: November 1986' together with a full number line ending in 1; priced dust jacket. The hardcover is the first form.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor 1986 hardcover is the true first edition, preceding the paperback. The first printing carries the 'First printing: November 1986' line plus the number line ending in 1.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club edition was issued; it is typically identified by an unpriced or clipped jacket stating Book Club Edition and lacks the Tor 'First printing' line and number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Falling Woman* by Pat Murphy a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-falling-woman
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.