The points of issue
Gollancz UK hardcover (2007), copyright page stating first publication in Great Britain in 2007 by Gollancz with a complete number line including 1; priced dust jacket. Issued alongside a simultaneous trade paperback; the hardcover is the collectible first. First editions carry the original title The Prefect.
Is this the true first?
UK Gollancz hardcover (2007) is the true first; the novel was later retitled Aurora Rising for reissue, so copies under that title are not firsts.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Prefect (later 'Aurora Rising') a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Gollancz UK hardcover (2007), copyright page stating first publication in Great Britain in 2007 by Gollancz with a complete number line including 1; priced dust jacket. Issued alongside a simultaneous trade paperback; the hardcover is the collectible first. First editions carry the original title The Prefect.
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. UK Gollancz hardcover (2007) is the true first; the novel was later retitled Aurora Rising for reissue, so copies under that title are not firsts.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of The Prefect (later 'Aurora Rising') — 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.