King, Stephen. (as Richard Bachman).  THE RUNNING MAN.  NY:  Signet (a division of New American Library [NAL]), 1982.  1st edition. This book is a PBO (a paperback original, meaning that this paperback book is the true 1st edition).  With “First Printing, May, 1982” and number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 printed on the copyright, both of which indicate that this is the correct 1st edition, 1st printing.  This is NOT a book club book. This is NOT an ex-library book.

THE RUNNING MAN was the first of the Stephen King “Richard Bachman” books that were published.

Buyer beware:  there were multiple later printings of THE RUNNING MAN that were published in this exact paperback format and also in similar, but slightly different formats.  This is the real deal:  the true 1st edition, 1st printing.

SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE IMMEDIATELY TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THIS BOOK (as a paperback, there was no dust jacket issued with this book).

Stephen King is one of the best and most famous fiction writers in the world.  He may be the best-selling author of all time.  He is the author of such great and famous books as CARRIE (his 1st book), ‘SALEM’S LOT, THE SHINING, THE STAND, CUJO, FIRESTARTER, CHRISTINE, THE DARK TOWER:  THE GUNSLINGER (and the rest of the “Dark Tower” series), DESPERATION, PET SEMATARY, THE TOMMYKNOCKERS, IT, SKELETON CREW, NIGHT SHIFT, INSOMNIA, THE DEAD ZONE, NEEDFUL THINGS, MISERY, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, THE TALISMAN (with Peter Straub), EYES OF THE DRAGON, GERALD’S GAME, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, ROSE MADDER, CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF, FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT, NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES, THE GREEN MILE, THE RUNNING MAN (offered here), and many, many more.

 

Some of the awards and award nominations that Stephen King has been honored with:

 
1976:  ‘SALEM’S LOT.  World Fantasy Award nominee for Best Novel.
1978:  THE SHINING.  Gandalf Award nominee for Best Book-
           Length Fantasy.
1978:  ‘SALEM’S LOT.  American Library Association Award
           winner for Best Books for Young Adults.
1978:  THE SHINING.  Locus Award nominee for Best Fantasy Novel.
1979:  THE STAND.  Locus Award nominee for Best Novel.
1979:  “The Gunslinger.”  Locus Award nominee for Best Novelette.
1979:  THE STAND.  Gandalf Award nominee for Best Book-
           Length Fantasy.
1979:  THE STAND.  Balrog Award nominee for Best Novel.
1979:  THE STAND.  World Fantasy Award nominee for Best Novel.
1979:  NIGHT SHIFT.  World Fantasy Award nominee for Best
           Collection/Anthology.
1980:  “The Way Station.”  Nebula Award nominee for Best Novelette.
1980:  NIGHT SHIFT.  Balrog Award winner for Best Collection/
           Anthology.
1980:  Stephen is a Balrog Award nominee for Professional
           Achievement.
1980:  THE DEAD ZONE.  Balrog Award nominee for Best Novel.
1980:  Stephen King is the University of Maine Alumni Career
           Award winner.
1980:  Stephen King is the World Fantasy Convention Award
           winner.
1981:  FIRESTARTER.  Balrog Award nominee for Best Novel.
1981:  FIRESTARTER.  American Library Association Award winner
           for Best Books for Young Adults.

1981:  Stephen King is honored by being named a British Fantasy

         Society Award winner for Outstanding Contribution

         to the Genre.

1981:  “The Mist.”  Locus Award nominee for Best Novel.
1981:  “The Way Station.”  Locus Award nominee for Best Novelette.
1982:  CUJO.  Balrog Award nominee for Best Novel.
1982:  DANSE MACABRE.  Locus Award winner for Best Related
           Nonfiction Book.
1982:  DANSE MACABRE.  Hugo Award winner for Best Nonfiction.
1982:  FIRESTARTER.  New York Public Library Award winner for
           Best Books for the Teen Age.
1982:  Stephen King is Us Magazine Best Fiction Writer of the Year.
1982:  “Do the Dead Sing?”  World Fantasy Award winner for Best
           Short Fiction.
1983:  “Apt Pupil.”  British Fantasy Society Award nominee for Best
           Short Fiction.
1983:  “The Raft.”  Locus Award nominee for Best Novelette.
1983:  “The Breathing Method.”  World Fantasy Award nominee for
           Best Novella.

1983:  “Christine.”  The famous film directed by John Carpenter, Christine,“”

           based on the novel CHRISTINE, is a huge hit in movie theaters.

1986:  Stephen King is the Spokane Public Library Golden Pen
           Award winner.
1986:  SKELETON CREW.  Locus Award winner for Best Collection.
1987:  IT.  British Fantasy Society Award winner for Best Novel.
1987:  IT.  Locus Award nominee for Best Fantasy Novel.
1987:  MISERY.  Bram Stoker Award co-winner for Best Novel.
1987:  “The End of the Whole Mess.”  World Fantasy Award nominee
           for Best Short Fiction.
1988:  MISERY.  World Fantasy Award nominee for Best Novel.
1988:  “The Night Flier.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Long
           Fiction.
1988:  THE DARK TOWER II:  THE DRAWING OF THE THREE.
           Locus Award nominee for Best Novel.
1990:  “The Langoliers.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Long
           Fiction.
1990:  FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Best
           Collection.
1991:  NEEDFUL THINGS.  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best
           Novel.
1991:  THE DARK TOWER III:  THE WASTE LANDS.  Bram Stoker
           Award nominee for Best Novel.
1992:  THE DARK TOWER III:  THE WASTE LANDS.  Locus Award
           nominee for Best Novel.

1992:  Stephen King is honored by being named a World Horror

         Convention Grandmaster Award winner for Lifetime

         Achievement.

1993:  NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES.  Bram Stoker Award
           nominee for Best Collection.
1994:  INSOMNIA.  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Novel.
1995:  “Lunch at the Gotham Café.”  Bram Stoker Award winner for
           Best Long Fiction.
1995:  “The Man in the Black Suit.”  World Fantasy Award winner for
           Short Fiction.
1996:  THE GREEN MILE.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Best
           Novel.
1996:  “The Man in the Black Suit.”  O. Henry Award winner for Best
           American Short Story.
1997:  “Everything’s Eventual.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best
           Long Fiction.
1997:  DESPERATION.  Horror Guild Award winner for Best Novel.
1997:  DESPERATION.  Locus Award winner for Best Horror/Dark
           Fantasy Novel.
1998:  BAG OF BONES.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Best Novel.
1998:  “Autopsy Room Four.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best
           Short Fiction.
1999:  “Low Men in Yellow Coats.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee
           for Best Collection.
1999:  BAG OF BONES.  British Fantasy Society Award winner for
           Best Novel.
1999:  BAG OF BONES.  Locus Award winner for Best Dark Fantasy/
           Horror Novel.
1999:  “Storm of the Century.”  International Horror Guild Award
           winner for Best Television Episode.
2000:  “Riding the Bullet.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best
           Long Fiction.
2000:  “Riding the Bullet.”  International Horror Guild Award nominee
           for Best Long Story.
2000:  ON WRITING:  A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT.  Bram Stoker
           Award winner for Best Nonfiction.
2001:  ON WRITING:  A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT.  Locus Award
           winner for Best Nonfiction Book.
2001:  BLACK HOUSE.  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Novel.
2001:  “Riding the Bullet.”  Horror Guild Award winner for Best Long
           Story.
2001:  ON WRITING:  A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT.  Horror Guild
           Award winner for Best Nonfiction.
2002:  FROM A BUICK 8.  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Novel.
2002:  EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL.  Bram Stoker Award nominee
           for Best Collection.

2002:  Stephen King is honored by being named a Bram Stoker

         Award winner for Lifetime Achievement.

2002:  BLACK HOUSE.  Horror Guild Award winner for Best Novel.
2003:  THE DARK TOWER V:  WOLVES OF THE CALLA.  Bram
           Stoker Award nominee for Best Novel.
2003:  “Harvey’s Dream.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Short
           Fiction.
2003:  FROM A BUICK 8.  Horror Guild Award winner for Best Novel.
2003:  EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL.  Horror Guild Award winner
           for Best Collection.

2003:  Stephen King is honored by being named an International

         Horror Guild Living Legend Award winner for Lifetime

         Achievement.

2003:  Stephen King is honored by being named a National Book

         Foundation Medal winner for Distinguished Contribution

         to American Letters.

2004:  THE DARK TOWER V:  WOLVES OF THE CALLA.  Locus
           Award nominee for Best Fantasy Novel.
2004:  THE DARK TOWER VII:  THE DARK TOWER.  Bram Stoker
           Award nominee for Best Novel.
2004:  “Lisey and the Madman.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best
           Long Fiction.
2004:  “Kingdom Hospital.”  International Horror Guild Award nominee
           for Best Television Episode.
2004:  Stephen King is honored by being named a World Fantasy Award
         winner for Lifetime Achievement.
2005:  THE DARK TOWER VI:  SONG OF SUSANNAH.  Locus Award
           nominee for Best Fantasy Novel.
2005:  “The Things They Left Behind.”  Bram Stoker Award nominee
           for Best Long Fiction.
2005:  THE DARK TOWER VII:  THE DARK TOWER.  British Fantasy
           Society Award winner for Best Novel.
2005:  THE DARK TOWER VII:  THE DARK TOWER.  Quill Award
           nominee for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Novel.
2006:  LISEY’S STORY.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Best Novel.
2006:  CELL.  Quill Award nominee for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/
           Horror Novel.
2007:  Stephen King is honored by being named a Canadian Booksellers
         Association Award winner for Lifetime Achievement.
2007:  Stephen King is honored by being named a Mystery Writers of America
         Grand Master Award winner for Lifetime Achievement.
2009:  DUMA KEY.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Best Novel.
2009:  JUST AFTER SUNSET.  Bram Stoker Award winner for Superior
           Achievement in a Collection.
2009:  JUST AFTER SUNSET.  Alex Award winner for Fiction.
2009:  JUST AFTER SUNSET.  British Fantasy Award nominee for
           Best Collection.
2009:  DUMA KEY.  Black Quill Award winner for Best Dark Genre

           Novel of the Year:  Readers’ Choice.

2010:  UNDER THE DOME.  Locus Award nominee for Best
           Science Fiction Novel.
2010:  UNDER THE DOME.  British Fantasy Award (August
           Derleth Award) nominee for Best Novel.
2010:  “Morality.”  Shirley Jackson Award winner for Best
           Novelette.
2011:  FULL DARK, NO STARS.  Bram Stoker Award winner
           for Best Collection.
2011:  “1922.”  British Fantasy Award nominee for Best
           Novella.
2011:  FULL DARK, NO STARS.  British Fantasy Award
           winner for Best Collection.
2012:  “The Little Green God of Agony.”  Locus Award
           nominee for Best Novelette.
2012:  11/22/63.  Locus Award runner-up for Best Science
           Fiction Novel.
2012:  11/22/63.  World Fantasy Award nominee for Best
           Novel.
2012:  11.22.63.  British Fantasy Award nominee for Best
           Novel.
2012:  “Herman Wouk Is Still Alive.”  Bram Stoker Award
           winner for Best Short Fiction.
2014:  JOYLAND.  Locus Award nominee for Best Fantasy
           Novel.
2014:  DOCTOR SLEEP.  Locus Award nominee for Best
           Fantasy Novel.
2014:  DOCTOR SLEEP.  Bram Stoker Award winner for
           Best Novel.
2014:  DOCTOR SLEEP.  Phantastik Preis Award nominee
           for Best Foreign Novel.
2015:  REVIVAL.  Locus Award nominee for Best Fantasy
           Novel.
2016:  “Obits.”  Hugo Award nominee for Best Novelette.
2016:  THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS.  Shirley Jackson
           Award winner for Best Collection.
2018:  SLEEPING BEAUTIES.  (co-written with Owen King).
           Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best Novel.
2019:  THE OUTSIDER.  Locus Award runner-up for Best
            Horror Novel.
 

Clearly Stephen King is not only one of the greatest of all dark fantasy and horror writers in the world, he is also one of the greatest of all time.  He is the logical successor to Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.  And, he is also one of the greatest of all modern fiction writers, regardless of genre.

Clute, Nicholls THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE FICTION (1993):  “ . . . Stephen King is probably the most successful bestseller novelist in history . . . King’s pungent prose, his sharp ear for dialogue, his disarmingly laid-back, frank style, along with his passionately fierce denunciations of human stupidity and cruelty (especially to children), put him among the more distinguished of ‘popular’ writers . . . ”
 
Jones, Newman HORROR:  THE 100 BEST BOOKS (1988):  “ . . . Stephen King is arguably the most popular novelist in the history of American fiction and is indisputably the most successful horror writer of all time, with hundreds of millions of copies of his books in print . . . ”

Barron HORROR LITERATURE (1990):  “ . . . A discussion of Stephen King must be a dominant consideration in any analysis of contemporary dark fantasy . . . The essence of successful storytelling is solid plotting and the structural principles of King’s plots are remarkably effective.  His characters are believable, sympathetic, and thoroughly contemporary; his settings are realistic, his dialogue colloquial, his writing clear and vivid . . . In order for a horror novel to achieve best-seller status, it must touch subjects, themes, and attitudes of more general public concern than is usual in hardcore genre products, while also exploiting the characteristic appeal of the genre.  Stephen King has done this more efficiently and consistently than any other horror writer, past or present . . . ”

From the first page of the book:  “ . . . ONE AGAINST ALL . . . Killian was well-dressed, handsome, smiling and soft-spoken.  Ben Richards hated him at first sight.  ‘The Running Man is the biggest thing going on Free-Vee,’ Killian said.  ‘And I am its executive producer.’  ‘That’s really wonderful,’ Richards said.  ‘The program is one of the surest ways the Network has of getting rid of embryo trouble-makers such as yourself, Mr. Richards.  We’ve been on for six years.  We’ve had no survivals.  To be brutally honest, we expect to have none.’  ‘Then you’re running a crooked table,’ Richards said flatly.  Killian was more amused than angered.  ‘But we’re not.  You keep forgetting you’re an anachronism, Mr. Richards.  All those millions and millions of your fellow Americans won’t be rooting for you to get away.  Goodness, no!  They all want to see you wiped out, and they’ll help if they can.  The more messy the better . . . ‘ . . . THE RUNNING MAN . . . “

From the rear panel of the book:  “ . . . IT WAS THE ULTIMATE DEATH GAME IN A NIGHTMARE FUTURE AMERICA . . . Each night all Americans, whether they live in the vast polluted slums or the fortress-like enclaves of the rich, tune in to the nation’s favorite TV game show:  The Running Man . . . Each night they see if the contestant has succeeded in evading death at the hands of the Hunters as he tries to survive for thirty days and win the one-billion-dollar jackpot . . . The record for survival is eight days . . . But now a new contestant, Ben Richards, has set out to beat the brutal odds, beat the rigged game, beat the entire savage system.  He’s betting his life that he can . . . THE RUNNING MAN . . . “

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I grade books and dust jackets: fine, near fine, very good, good, fair, and poor. I describe all faults. If you sell books on EBAY (or anywhere else), it is de rigueur not to list 1st printings of book club books as 1st editions (unless they ARE the 1st edition, which occurs only occasionally); also, a 1st edition, 7th printing, is not a 1st edition. Ex-library books must be noted as such since generally they are of little value to the collector of 1st editions. Condition is also very important to those collectors. Books and dust jackets must be described in detail. In other words, it is incumbent upon the SELLER to know what is and is not a 1st edition. Mistakes can be made (and corrected), of course, but if you DON'T KNOW, don't try to sell a book as a 1st edition.

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A FINE paperback book without a dust jacket (of course).  The book is tight and square in its black and gray paperback binding.  There is no writing in the book; no bookplates; no remainder marks.  The book has no reader’s crease or creases on the spine, which is quite unusual for copies of this book.  There is a hint of tanning to the edges of the pages; hardly worth mentioning.  Usually copies of THE RUNNING MAN show up in poor to well-read condition.  Many times the book has tears, wrinkles, chips, torn pages, discoloration, etc.  That is not the case here.  This is the best copy of THE RUNNING MAN that I’ve come across in many years.

First editions of THE RUNNING MAN are quite scarce in this collectible condition.  At the time of this listing, this may be the nicest condition copy of a 1st edition of THE RUNNING MAN currently listed on EBAY.

A MUST FOR THE COLLECTOR OF IMPORTANT MODERN SCIENCE FICTION/HORROR FICTION 1st EDITIONS AND/OR THE COLLECTOR OF 1st EDITIONS MADE INTO FILMS AND/OR THE COLLECTOR OF STEPHEN KING 1st EDITIONS!


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Additional photos are available upon request.

I am continuing to list some of my best books (especially science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions) on EBAY not so much as auctions (due to the fact that EBAY charges quite a bit to list items for reserve auctions), but more along the lines of listing my “catalogue” of books that I have for sale. I'm not going to “give” these books away, but my opening bids and Buy-It-Now prices are usually a fair amount below market value. Furthermore, however, for certain scarce books in great condition, I do expect to get close to what they’re worth. Stay with me; I always have a number of important, collectible, cornerstone science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions listed. Many thanks!  All items are being offered for sale elsewhere; I reserve the right to end this listing early if this item sells elsewhere.

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Note:

I own the following two books:

Leckie, Anne.  ANCILLARY JUSTICE.  Subterranean
     Press, 2014.  1st limited edition.  (#2/500).

Leckie, Anne.  ANCILLARY MERCY.  Subterranean
     Press, 2016.  1st limited edition.  (#2/500).

I am looking for:

Leckie, Anne.  ANCILLARY SWORD.  Subterranean
      Press, 2015.  1st limited edition.  (#2/500).

I would like to round out this set by acquiring the #2/500
copy of ANCILLARY SWORD.  If anyone has this copy
and is willing to sell it on EBAY, I would be highly interested
in obtaining it so that all my copies would have matching
numbers.  Many thanks.
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Contact me if you’re looking for a particular title or titles.  I have thousands of books for sale that may or may not show up in my EBAY listings.

I am happy to set up flexible PAYMENT and/or HOLD PLANS for any book(s) that you bid on and win.

Shipping:  $4.00 for USPS Media Mail shipping.  $10.00 for USPS Priority Mail shipping.  Buyers who wish to have packages sent to addresses outside of the U.S. are required to pay for the postage necessary to send such packages.  Please note:  if you want something other than USPS Media Mail shipping, you must wait for me to send you an EBAY invoice or if you are a buyer outside of the United States, you must wait for me to send you an EBAY invoice.  You must be willing to pay for non-USPS Media Mail shipping charges or for international shipping charges.  I reserve the right to negate a purchase if you are unwilling to pay for the correct shipping charges either to an address in the U.S. or if  international shipping is required.  I am happy to set up flexible payment and layaway plans if these options make it easier for you to participate in bidding and winning. Please e-mail me if you have any questions. See my other auctions on EBAY for excellent science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions (and a few other items). I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions: award winners, cornerstone books, and generally recognized important books in the genre(s). I GUARANTEE THE CONDITION OF THIS BOOK; IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, SEND IT BACK!

If you prefer payment methods other than PayPal (as I do), I am happy to arrange for a different payment method for you.

Before you buy from others, check out their return policies and their guarantees and compare them to mine.  I stand behind all of my items FULLY.  Why deal with a seller who won’t guarantee their books, doesn’t have a return policy, or doesn’t correctly describe the edition or condition of their book(s)?

OTIUM SINE LITTERIS MORS EST ET HOMINIS VIVI SEPULTURA.