The points of issue
Stated FIRST EDITION on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1; Little, Brown imprint, New York. Subtitle on the title page reads A Novella and Stories. This is Moody's first story collection (the title novella plus stories).
Is this the true first?
The US Little, Brown hardcover of 1995 (ISBN 0316579297) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No widely seen book-club issue; later trade paperbacks are reprints, not the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Ring of Brightest Angels Around Heaven a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Stated FIRST EDITION on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1; Little, Brown imprint, New York. Subtitle on the title page reads A Novella and Stories. This is Moody's first story collection (the title novella plus stories).
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 US Little, Brown hardcover of 1995 (ISBN 0316579297) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No widely seen book-club issue; later trade paperbacks are reprints, not the first edition.
I have a first edition of The Ring of Brightest Angels Around Heaven — 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.