How to identify a first printing
- Modern convention: copyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a descending number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1); the lowest number present indicates the printing — a first shows '1'.
- First printing has no additional printing/date notice beyond the stated first.
- Earliest Graywolf (late 1970s Port Townsend era) included letterpress/limited chapbooks with rear colophons — identified by limitation statement rather than a number line.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1974 by Scott Walker (with Kathleen Foster) in Port Townsend, WA — literally in space provided by Copper Canyon Press; relocated to Saint Paul, Minnesota (1984).
- Now a major nonprofit literary press (distributed via Macmillan/FSG): poetry, fiction, essays — Tracy K. Smith, Claudia Rankine's Citizen, Maggie Nelson's The Argonauts.
- Citizen (2014) went through many printings rapidly — number line is the practical way to separate first from later printings.
- Because of Macmillan distribution, later printings follow standard trade number-line conventions.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Graywolf Rediscovery, Graywolf Poetry / Graywolf Nonfiction Prize titles. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Graywolf Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Modern convention: copyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a descending number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1); the lowest number present indicates the printing — a first shows '1'. First printing has no additional printing/date notice beyond the stated first.
Does Graywolf Press use a number line?
First printing has no additional printing/date notice beyond the stated first.
Is a book-club edition a Graywolf Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1974 by Scott Walker (with Kathleen Foster) in Port Townsend, WA — literally in space provided by Copper Canyon Press; relocated to Saint Paul, Minnesota (1984).
What era does this cover?
This covers Graywolf Press (1974–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.