How to identify a first printing
- Small literary press (poetry, and via its imprints fiction and nonfiction): first printings show the original copyright year with no later-printing statement; modern titles often state 'first edition.'
- Imprint titles (Buckrider Books, James Street North Books, Poplar Press) follow the parent copyright-page convention.
- Small runs mean most titles are single printings; verify absence of reprint notes.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1982 in Hamilton, Ontario, by poets Heather Cadsby and Maria Jacobs; originally a poetry-only press. Noelle Allen purchased the company in 2007 and expanded its scope to fiction, nonfiction, and translation.
- Buckrider Books (described by the press as its 'outlaw imprint,' headed by Paul Vermeersch) marks the move into literary fiction and nonfiction and is a useful era/imprint tell for dating a title.
- Lower-profile house; conventions follow typical modern small-press practice but are not documented in standard collecting references.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Wolsak and Wynn, Buckrider Books (literary fiction/nonfiction imprint), James Street North Books, Poplar Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Wolsak and Wynn book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Small literary press (poetry, and via its imprints fiction and nonfiction): first printings show the original copyright year with no later-printing statement; modern titles often state 'first edition.' Imprint titles (Buckrider Books, James Street North Books, Poplar Press) follow the parent copyright-page convention.
Does Wolsak and Wynn use a number line?
Imprint titles (Buckrider Books, James Street North Books, Poplar Press) follow the parent copyright-page convention.
Is a book-club edition a Wolsak and Wynn first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1982 in Hamilton, Ontario, by poets Heather Cadsby and Maria Jacobs; originally a poetry-only press. Noelle Allen purchased the company in 2007 and expanded its scope to fiction, nonfiction, and translation.
What era does this cover?
This covers Wolsak and Wynn (1982-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.