How to Identify a Poisoned Pen Press First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Modern copyright-page number line; first printing shows the full descending line ending in '1' and often a 'First Edition' statement.
• Many titles issued simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and a numbered library 'large print' — each format's first printing is set by its own number line.
• Post-2018 Sourcebooks-era titles follow Sourcebooks/Landmark copyright conventions (number line, 'First Edition').

Notable points & cautions

• Founded 1997 in Scottsdale AZ (associated with The Poisoned Pen bookstore); acquired by Sourcebooks in 2018 — pre- and post-acquisition copyright pages look different.
• Some titles were UK or original-market firsts reprinted by Poisoned Pen for the US (e.g., British Library Crime Classics distributed in the US) — those are first-thus/first US, not the world first.
• British Library Crime Classics reprints distributed by Poisoned Pen are reprints of vintage texts; the 'first edition' line refers only to that modern reissue.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Poisoned Pen Press, The Poisoned Pencil (YA), Now an imprint of Sourcebooks (Sourcebooks Landmark) since 2018. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Poisoned Pen Press book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Modern copyright-page number line; first printing shows the full descending line ending in '1' and often a 'First Edition' statement. Many titles issued simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and a numbered library 'large print' — each format's first printing is set by its own number line.

Does Poisoned Pen Press use a number line?

Many titles issued simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and a numbered library 'large print' — each format's first printing is set by its own number line.

Is a book-club edition a Poisoned Pen Press first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1997 in Scottsdale AZ (associated with The Poisoned Pen bookstore); acquired by Sourcebooks in 2018 — pre- and post-acquisition copyright pages look different.

What era does this cover?

This covers Poisoned Pen Press (1997-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.