what does the numbering on the inside of a novel mean?

[interested]

for example

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

also how do you find out an editor guidelines

[Medievalist]

for example

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

That indicates the printing of a particular edition. In general terms, a new date on the copyright means it's a new edition. Sometimes the printing date is written out, especially in older books:

(c) 1989 reprinted 1990
This printing 1993.

also how do you find out an editor guidelines

Writer's Market, or the publication/publisher's web site.

[victoriastrauss]

The numbers represent the number of printings of a particular edition. The numbers disappear in accordance with the number of reprints. So if you buy a book and the numbering starts at three, that means it's the third printing.

- Victoria

[James D. Macdonald]

The reason the numbers disappear with subsequent printings:

Back in the days when books were printed from solid metal plates, they'd cast all the numbers there at the time of first printing. Afterward, each time they went back to press, they'd file off a number. (Otherwise they'd have to make a new plate for the copyright page for each new press run to reflect the printing.)

[maestrowork]

You learn something new on AW every day.