The points of issue
Atheneum first edition, 1976, with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Priced dust jacket. Young-adult novel; published in the UK by Gollancz as 'A Very Long Way from Anywhere Else.'
Is this the true first?
US Atheneum first edition is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition is distinguished by a blind stamp on the rear board and a jacket lacking a printed price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Very Far Away from Anywhere Else a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Atheneum first edition, 1976, with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Priced dust jacket. Young-adult novel; published in the UK by Gollancz as 'A Very Long Way from Anywhere Else.'
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. US Atheneum first edition is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition is distinguished by a blind stamp on the rear board and a jacket lacking a printed price.
I have a first edition of Very Far Away from Anywhere Else — 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.