I'm a book collector, and I love collecting modern first editions. For hardcovers, finding copies of books that I want is almost never a problem. I can research the markings that identify first editions, and booksellers are generally "in the know" about what they have and what customers want.

But I've always had trouble with paperbacks. I remember going through hell a while back trying to track down some early Charlie Huston first-edition trade paperbacks. Mass market paperbacks in fine condition are even tougher.

Right now, I'm trying to find a first edition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which recently hit it big. Of course, I regret not grabbing one when it first hit the shelves, so now I'm resigned to finding one secondhand. But it's a first-edition ghost town out there: There are plenty of listings in the usual places, but zero detail about edition/printing information.

What's that about? Paperbacks are collectible. Where's the market for modern paperback-original first editions?

And can anyone spare a first edition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?

That just came out a couple weeks ago. There must be bookstores with first printings on the shelves. (??)

I think you'd be surprised. This thing has really caught fire, sorta under the radar. It went to later printings VERY quickly.

It is a small publisher. Must not have printed very many copies.

I guess I'll have to keep my eye out for one to put on eBay.

My local borders has a dozen copies all first editions.

Yes, but are they first printings? This is a tricky book, if I remember right. It's stated as a First Edition, but the "printing" number line might end at 5 or 9 or 17.

If they're really first/firsts, I'll PayPal you to grab one for me.
I'd even throw a few extra bucks on there for you.

Technically, virtually every novel is a first edition. The real question is: First printing? (Granted, almost every uses the terminology very loosely.)

Try eBay - you can find just about anything there (though you may not find the deal your looking for)

Funny you should say that. I did end up finding this on eBay, although it took a while to find an actual person (and not some faceless closeout distributor) who could examine the book for me. And I got a good price!

But the trade paperback collector's market is not what it should be.