The points of issue
Story collection. Baen mass-market paperback original, published November 1988; first printing per the number line on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
The US Baen paperback original (November 1988) is the true first edition of this collection.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Threats and Other Promises a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Story collection. Baen mass-market paperback original, published November 1988; first printing per the number line on the copyright page.
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 Baen paperback original (November 1988) is the true first edition of this collection.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None.
I have a first edition of Threats and Other Promises — 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.