How to identify a first printing
- Trade first: copyright-page number line with '1' present and no later printings listed (standard modern-trade convention; no documented Night Shade-specific number-line quirk, so treat as the generic default)
- Signed/limited states: where issued, confirm via the signed limitation sheet/colophon stating the run size and number. Night Shade did produce some signed first states and deluxe issues of its collected-edition projects, but a documented pattern of BOTH numbered AND lettered states for early titles is unverified — do not assume a lettered state exists without seeing the limitation statement
- Match against ISFDB/dealer bibliographic records for the specific title, since Night Shade limited-state practice was inconsistent across titles rather than a uniform house standard
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1997 by Jason Williams (San Francisco); known for reviving classic weird fiction via the 5-volume Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith and the Collected Fiction of William Hope Hodgson, and for launching Paolo Bacigalupi (debut novel The Windup Girl, 2009, Hugo/Nebula winner)
- CORRECTION: 'Glen Cook reissues' is misattributed — the Black Company omnibus reissues (Chronicles of the Black Company, etc.) were published by Tor / Tom Doherty Associates, NOT Night Shade. Night Shade's only notable Cook title was 'The Best of Glen Cook' (2019), a Skyhorse/Start-era collection, not an independent-era reissue
- After the 2013 financial collapse (precipitated in part by the demise of Borders) the imprint was acquired and continued under Skyhorse/Start Publishing; post-2013 printings carry different distribution/imprint language, and the independent-era (1997-2013) firsts are the collectible ones
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Night Shade Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Night Shade Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Trade first: copyright-page number line with '1' present and no later printings listed (standard modern-trade convention; no documented Night Shade-specific number-line quirk, so treat as the generic default) Signed/limited states: where issued, confirm via the signed limitation sheet/colophon stating the run size and number. Night Shade did produce some signed first states and deluxe issues of its collected-edition projects, but a documented pattern of BOTH numbered AND lettered states for early titles is unverified — do not assume a lettered state exists without seeing the limitation statement
Does Night Shade Books use a number line?
Signed/limited states: where issued, confirm via the signed limitation sheet/colophon stating the run size and number. Night Shade did produce some signed first states and deluxe issues of its collected-edition projects, but a documented pattern of BOTH numbered AND lettered states for early titles is unverified — do not assume a lettered state exists without seeing the limitation statement
Is a book-club edition a Night Shade Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1997 by Jason Williams (San Francisco); known for reviving classic weird fiction via the 5-volume Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith and the Collected Fiction of William Hope Hodgson, and for launching Paolo Bacigalupi (debut novel The Windup Girl, 2009, Hugo/Nebula winner)
What era does this cover?
This covers Night Shade Books (1997–present (independent era 1997–2013)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.