How to identify a first printing
- 1973-c.1995 (founders Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning, Oakland): self-help and clinical psychology workbooks; the copyright page states the printing and copyright year, and early editions often lack number lines. Identify by the earliest copyright year and the absence of a later-printing statement.
- c.1995-present: standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); the copyright page typically states a printing or edition with year. Heavily revised clinical workbooks (for example The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, in print across many editions since 1980) require matching the specific edition statement, not just the line.
- general: Context Press (ACT and behavior analysis, Steven C. Hayes lineage) and Impact Publishers titles follow New Harbinger conventions under their own imprint names.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1973; the dominant US publisher of evidence-based self-help and clinical psychology (CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness workbooks). Employee-owned.
- Identification tell: flagship workbooks run through many revised editions across decades, so the edition statement is essential alongside the number line.
- Context Press (acquired 2008) is the academic ACT/behavior-analysis imprint; Instant Help Books was acquired in 2007; Impact Publishers and Non-Duality Press were acquired in 2015.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: New Harbinger, Reveal Press, Context Press (acquired 2008; ACT/behavioral), Impact Publishers (acquired 2015), Instant Help Books (children/teens, acquired 2007), Non-Duality Press (acquired 2015). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my New Harbinger Publications book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1973-c.1995 (founders Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning, Oakland): self-help and clinical psychology workbooks; the copyright page states the printing and copyright year, and early editions often lack number lines. Identify by the earliest copyright year and the absence of a later-printing statement. c.1995-present: standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); the copyright page typically states a printing or edition with year. Heavily revised clinical workbooks (for example The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, in print across many editions since 1980) require matching the specific edition statement, not just the line.
Does New Harbinger Publications use a number line?
c.1995-present: standard number line, with the lowest number present indicating the printing (a '1' present means a first printing); the copyright page typically states a printing or edition with year. Heavily revised clinical workbooks (for example The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, in print across many editions since 1980) require matching the specific edition statement, not just the line.
Is a book-club edition a New Harbinger Publications first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1973; the dominant US publisher of evidence-based self-help and clinical psychology (CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness workbooks). Employee-owned.
What era does this cover?
This covers New Harbinger Publications (1973-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.