The points of issue
Ace 1978, illustrated throughout by Esteban Maroto with a Boris Vallejo cover. Issued both as an illustrated trade paperback and as a hardcover; the paperback is in pictorial wrappers.
Is this the true first?
Ace issued the title in 1978 in both an illustrated paperback and a hardcover. These appear to be simultaneous issues, so the paperback should not be described as the sole true first; collectors distinguish the two formats rather than treating one as preceding the other.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No separate book club edition identified for the 1978 Ace illustrated issues.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Magic Goes Away a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace 1978, illustrated throughout by Esteban Maroto with a Boris Vallejo cover. Issued both as an illustrated trade paperback and as a hardcover; the paperback is in pictorial wrappers.
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. Ace issued the title in 1978 in both an illustrated paperback and a hardcover. These appear to be simultaneous issues, so the paperback should not be described as the sole true first; collectors distinguish the two formats rather than treating one as preceding the other.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No separate book club edition identified for the 1978 Ace illustrated issues.
I have a first edition of The Magic Goes Away — 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.