How to identify a first printing
- 2000-2022 (Williams/La Rosa independent era): Standard small-press practice. A first printing is typically shown by a number line on the copyright page, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a '1' present = first printing). Some titles also carry a 'First edition' or 'First printing' statement. Where neither is present, a first printing is inferred from a matching copyright date and the absence of any later-printing notation.
- Junebug Books imprint (children's/regional): follows the same house number-line convention at the time of issue.
- 2022-present (University of Georgia Press ownership): NewSouth continues as a UGA Press imprint and follows university-press number-line practice (lowest digit present = printing); the copyright/imprint line reflecting UGA Press is the era tell.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 2000 in Montgomery, Alabama by H. Randall Williams (editor) and Suzanne La Rosa (publisher); focus on civil-rights, Alabama/Southern history, African American history, and regional literature.
- Acquired by University of Georgia Press in 2022; the imprint and copyright language is the reliable era tell.
- Known for civil-rights titles and the controversial 2011 NewSouth edition of 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
- Junebug Books was its children's/regional sub-imprint.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: NewSouth Books, Junebug Books (children's/regional imprint), FootPrint Press (earlier), University of Georgia Press (parent since 2022). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my NewSouth Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 2000-2022 (Williams/La Rosa independent era): Standard small-press practice. A first printing is typically shown by a number line on the copyright page, where the lowest digit present indicates the printing (a '1' present = first printing). Some titles also carry a 'First edition' or 'First printing' statement. Where neither is present, a first printing is inferred from a matching copyright date and the absence of any later-printing notation. Junebug Books imprint (children's/regional): follows the same house number-line convention at the time of issue.
Does NewSouth Books use a number line?
Junebug Books imprint (children's/regional): follows the same house number-line convention at the time of issue.
Is a book-club edition a NewSouth Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 2000 in Montgomery, Alabama by H. Randall Williams (editor) and Suzanne La Rosa (publisher); focus on civil-rights, Alabama/Southern history, African American history, and regional literature.
What era does this cover?
This covers NewSouth Books (2000-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.