The points of issue
US Ministry of Whimsy Press trade paperback original, 1997 (ISBN 1-890464-02-3); small-press first edition distributed through small-press channels. Chapman's debut novel.
Is this the true first?
The US Ministry of Whimsy 1997 trade paperback original is the true first. Winner of the Philip K. Dick Award for 1997 (presented 1998). A scarce small-press item.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition; later reissues and the ebook are reprints, not true firsts.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Troika a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Ministry of Whimsy Press trade paperback original, 1997 (ISBN 1-890464-02-3); small-press first edition distributed through small-press channels. Chapman's debut novel.
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 Ministry of Whimsy 1997 trade paperback original is the true first. Winner of the Philip K. Dick Award for 1997 (presented 1998). A scarce small-press item.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition; later reissues and the ebook are reprints, not true firsts.
I have a first edition of The Troika — 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.