Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Sower is Octavia E. Butler's science fiction novel, first published by Four Walls Eight Windows in the United States in 1993. Set in a collapsing California from 2024, it follows a young woman with hyper-empathy who founds the Earthseed faith.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Four Walls Eight Windows, 1993
- First published
- Four Walls Eight Windows, 1993
- Series
- Earthseed
The first edition of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler was published in New York by Four Walls Eight Windows in 1993. We track 2 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Four Walls Eight Windows1993 Hardback · Earthseed 1 I own Parable of the Sower, Four Walls Eight Windows 1993 Log in to want this
Later and other editions
- Warner Books1995 Hardback · Earthseed 1 I own Parable of the Sower, Warner Books 1995 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Awards and honours
Setting and characters
- Set in
- California
- Genre
- epistolary novel, Afrofuturism, science fiction
Read next
- Followed by
- Parable of the Talents
In print
- Editions recorded
- 23 on Open Library, 17 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 9 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Octavia E. Butler
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How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
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Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Parable of the Sower?
The first edition of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler was published in New York by Four Walls Eight Windows in 1993.
How many editions of Parable of the Sower are there?
We track 2 editions of Parable of the Sower, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
What should I read after Parable of the Sower?
In order, it is followed by Parable of the Talents, according to Wikidata.
Where these facts come from
- Parable of the Sower (novel), Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Parable of the Sower (Q3823447), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 19 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.