The points of issue
Bast novella; first appeared in the cross-genre anthology Rogues, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, published in hardcover by Bantam Spectra (Random House) on June 17, 2014. First printing carries a full number line.
Is this the true first?
The first publication of this text is within the Rogues anthology, not a standalone volume — collect the anthology first edition for the true first appearance.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No standalone first edition of this original text exists; the 2023 standalone The Narrow Road Between Desires is an expanded, rewritten version and is a different text.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Lightning Tree (novella, in Rogues) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Bast novella; first appeared in the cross-genre anthology Rogues, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, published in hardcover by Bantam Spectra (Random House) on June 17, 2014. First printing carries a full number line.
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. The first publication of this text is within the Rogues anthology, not a standalone volume — collect the anthology first edition for the true first appearance.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No standalone first edition of this original text exists; the 2023 standalone The Narrow Road Between Desires is an expanded, rewritten version and is a different text.
I have a first edition of The Lightning Tree (novella, in Rogues) — 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.