GE to John Blackwood, Weymouth, 13 September 1859
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Weymouth, 13 September 1859
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Weymouth, 13 September 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1859-09-13
Place
Weymouth
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, Weymouth, 13 September 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: William Blackwood, II, 442.
East Street | Weymouth | September 13. 59.
My dear Sir
The very large sale of "Adam Bede" has necessarily modified my prospects as to the publication of my next book, and before troubling you with further manuscript, I want to tell you my thoughts on the subject.
I have now so large and eager a public, that if we were to publish the work without a preliminary appearance in the Magazine, the first sale would infallibly be large, and a considerable profit would be gained even though the work might not ultimately impress the public so strongly as "Adam" has done.
Now surely publication in Maga, in the case of a new writer concerning whose works there is some expectation and curiosity, would inevitably reduce what would otherwise be the certain demand for three-volumed copies. The Magazine edition would be devoured, and would sweep away perhaps 20,000 -- nay, 40,000 -- readers who would otherwise demand copies of the complete work from the libraries. To say the least, there is enormous risk that the sale of the completed novel would be diminished. Again, the book might be in some respects superior to Adam, and yet not continue in the course of periodical reading to excite the same interest in the mass of readers, and an impression of its inferiority might be spread before republication: -- another source of risk.
The large circulation of "Adam" renders the continual advertisement afforded by publication in a first-rate periodical -- an advertisement otherwise so valuable -- comparatively unimportant.
I don't at all know what are your views as to the amount you could afford to pay me for publishing in the Magazine -- I have no doubt you would do the utmost for me consistently with publishing rules -- but in my ignorance I am unable to believe that you would find it worth while to compensate to me for the inevitable subtraction from subsequent proceeds. I shall be much obliged to you if you will let me know precisely what arrangement you contemplate.
You see, I speak to you without circumlocution, and I am sure you will like that best. You know how important this money question is to me. I don't want the world to give me anything for my books except money enough to save me from the temptation to write only for money. Ever, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
We return to Wandsworth on Friday.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: William Blackwood, II, 442.
East Street | Weymouth | September 13. 59.
My dear Sir
The very large sale of "Adam Bede" has necessarily modified my prospects as to the publication of my next book, and before troubling you with further manuscript, I want to tell you my thoughts on the subject.
I have now so large and eager a public, that if we were to publish the work without a preliminary appearance in the Magazine, the first sale would infallibly be large, and a considerable profit would be gained even though the work might not ultimately impress the public so strongly as "Adam" has done.
Now surely publication in Maga, in the case of a new writer concerning whose works there is some expectation and curiosity, would inevitably reduce what would otherwise be the certain demand for three-volumed copies. The Magazine edition would be devoured, and would sweep away perhaps 20,000 -- nay, 40,000 -- readers who would otherwise demand copies of the complete work from the libraries. To say the least, there is enormous risk that the sale of the completed novel would be diminished. Again, the book might be in some respects superior to Adam, and yet not continue in the course of periodical reading to excite the same interest in the mass of readers, and an impression of its inferiority might be spread before republication: -- another source of risk.
The large circulation of "Adam" renders the continual advertisement afforded by publication in a first-rate periodical -- an advertisement otherwise so valuable -- comparatively unimportant.
I don't at all know what are your views as to the amount you could afford to pay me for publishing in the Magazine -- I have no doubt you would do the utmost for me consistently with publishing rules -- but in my ignorance I am unable to believe that you would find it worth while to compensate to me for the inevitable subtraction from subsequent proceeds. I shall be much obliged to you if you will let me know precisely what arrangement you contemplate.
You see, I speak to you without circumlocution, and I am sure you will like that best. You know how important this money question is to me. I don't want the world to give me anything for my books except money enough to save me from the temptation to write only for money. Ever, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
We return to Wandsworth on Friday.
Signature
George Eliot.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, Weymouth, 13 September 1859, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92756