The points of issue
Avon paperback original, 1981; copyright page states First Avon Printing. Vampire epic set in Los Angeles.
Is this the true first?
PBO; Dark Harvest issued the first hardcover in 1991, a limited edition of 500 numbered copies signed by McCammon and artists Charles and Wendy Lang.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
N/A (PBO).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of They Thirst a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Avon paperback original, 1981; copyright page states First Avon Printing. Vampire epic set in Los Angeles.
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. PBO; Dark Harvest issued the first hardcover in 1991, a limited edition of 500 numbered copies signed by McCammon and artists Charles and Wendy Lang.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
N/A (PBO).
I have a first edition of They Thirst — 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.