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Frank Norris Collection, Accession 6905, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Deposit 1962 Nov 14
Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
[Informs Reynolds of his intention to sell the rights to his stories " From Dawn to Dark-Fighting " and " Surrender " to the Century Company . ]
[Replies to Richards' letter with mention of Norris' book Moran and McTeague ; chides him for inadvertently changing the title of Moran ; thanks him for an invitation to London . ]
[Promises to send copy of Blix ; mentions completion of The Heroine , which will be published after serialization "somewhere"; says he is excited about material for a series of 3 novels based on the subject of American wheat; guesses that this project will take 3-4 years.]
[Tells him that Samuel Sidney McClure is syndicating one of his stories which will be called A Man's Woman in the book publication (handled by Doubleday and McClure Co. ); wonders if Richards would put this book on his list for publication in England ; inquires about the success of Moran and McTeague in England , also about the royalties he might expect from their sales; requests critics' reviews of his book published.]
[Thanks him for 2 volumes that have not arrived yet; says he is curious if the book sells as well as the reviews indicate; speaks about an unpublished novel, Vandover and the Brute . ]
[Says he is glad to know that McTeague is well received by English critics; wonders if Richards might consider taking over Blix , which is in the hands of failing English branch of Harpers ; wonders about serialization of Blix , and also of his last novel A Man's Woman , in England , before publishing in book form; says a royalty of 10% is not satisfactory; asks for a better offer; requests the contracts for Moran and McTeague . ]
[Gives him specific ideas for the printer regarding A Man's Woman ; requests copies of the English edition of Blix and and A Man's Woman . ]
[Thanks him for copy of Blix ; hopes that the publisher (Richards) will improve the cover design for A Man's Woman , although he does not mean to interfere; hopes a secondary title will be omitted from A Man's Woman ; says he was not pleased to see the subtitle "Love Idyll" under Blix . ]
[Alludes to the fact that to date he has received only one statement for Moran from Richards' firm; says he would like to know how the books McTeague and Blix have done; says he would, finally, love to see some money.]
[Discusses the possibility of an editor's position for him with Doubleday and Page but cannot promise anything; looks forward to his visit.]
[Complains that his statements and pecuniary settlements are now almost a year overdue; says his letters have been ignored; realizes that the English publication of his books has not been a financial success for the firm, but expects royalties just the same; threatens to find another publisher if the matter is not cleared up.]
[Says he is willing to have A Woman's Man run in a London paper if he gets $100; announces the publication of The Octopus and brings up the possibility of an English publication.]
[Says he is encouraged and honored to see his work reviewed in the important magazine Arena . ]
[Acknowledges receipt of a letter and check for 48 pounds; mentions proofs of The Pit , and its serializing.]
[Verifies receipt of a manuscript.]
[Proposes that he write an adventure novel in the style of Moran of the Lady Letty ; says it could be serialized in Everybody's and help the magazine along; expresses concern over Mrs. Norris' illness.]
[Gives suggestions on how to alter a manuscript slightly, to make it a great story for Everybody's ; urges Cosgrave to read the proofs of The Squid quickly, as the book has to be out by March 15.]
[Discusses serializing, dramatizing and translation of an unknown work; requests a contract if all is agreeable.]