The points of issue
Arbor House hardcover with priced jacket; copyright page carries no indication of a later printing.
Is this the true first?
US Arbor House hardcover (1987) is the true first; the UK edition followed in 1988.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC edition: blind stamp on rear board, no price on jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Wyrms a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Arbor House hardcover with priced jacket; copyright page carries no indication of a later printing.
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 Arbor House hardcover (1987) is the true first; the UK edition followed in 1988.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
SFBC edition: blind stamp on rear board, no price on jacket.
I have a first edition of Wyrms — 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.