The points of issue
Signet paperback original, catalog number AE1508; copyright page states First Printing, May, 1982. Published as by Richard Bachman with no mention of King.
Is this the true first?
Paperback original; no earlier hardcover exists. Fourth Bachman title; Thinner (1984) followed before the pseudonym was publicly exposed in 1985.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not applicable; later printings are identified on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Running Man a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Signet paperback original, catalog number AE1508; copyright page states First Printing, May, 1982. Published as by Richard Bachman with no mention of King.
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. Paperback original; no earlier hardcover exists. Fourth Bachman title; Thinner (1984) followed before the pseudonym was publicly exposed in 1985.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not applicable; later printings are identified on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of The Running Man — 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.