It is indeed true that the* Innocents Abroad* is a good example, or any
book of Twain's books sold by subscription, because there was an effort to
increase the volume of some books (with words and illustrations) so as to
increase the sale price.

In general, for all these matters it is best to start with the letters,
especially letters to his publishers (including magazine publishers).

See our website here
http://www.marktwainproject.org/homepage.html

which is keyword searchable. Letters to Elisha Bliss in 1868 and 1869 are
about *Innocents.*

Or see also our printed Volumes of *Mark Twain's Letters,* vol.l 1-6

And there is *Mark Twain's Letters to his Publishers,* ed. by Hamlin Hill
(1867)

There are also a number of articles and a couple books on Mark Twain as
Businessman.

Good luck!


Amanda Gagel, PhD
Associate Editor
Mark Twain Project
http://www.marktwainproject.org
<http://www.marktwainproject.org/homepage.html>
Bancroft Library
UC-Berkeley
510.664.9969

On Fri, Feb 9, 2018 at 8:54 AM, Harris, Susan Kumin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Thanks, Taylor!
>
> Susan K. Harris
>
>
> > On Feb 9, 2018, at 11:36 AM, Taylor Roberts <[log in to unmask]>
> =
> wrote:
> >=20
> > _Innocents Abroad_ (1869) seems a great place to look, since it was his
> > first book, and seems needlessly wordy in many places. Was he trying to
> > fill pages in order to hit the large size demanded by the subscription
> bo=
> ok
> > market?
> >=20
> > The prose of IA provides a useful contrast to his writing in other genres
> > at the same time, e.g., his letters, and articles for Buffalo Express,
> ar=
> e
> > more concise.
> >=20
> > Great idea, but I don't know if anyone has researched this!
> >=20
> > Take care
> > Taylor
> >=20
> >=20
> >> On Fri, Feb 9, 2018 at 10:45 AM, Harris, Susan Kumin <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote=
> :
> >>=20
> >> Twain/Lit people please note.  A friend asked me this question about
> >> studie=3D
> >> s of the relationship between Twain's writing style and his venues.  I
> >> thin=3D
> >> k it's a fascinating topic but not one I'm up on.  Can anyone help her?
> >>=20
> >>=20
> >> Reply to me via the Forum, and I'll buck the replies to her.  Thanks,
> >> every=3D
> >> one!  --susan harris
> >>=20
> >>=20
> >> Susan K. Harris
> >>=20
> >>=20
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: Shaker, Bonnie <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Sent: Friday, February 9, 2018 9:17 AM
> >> To: Harris, Susan Kumin
> >> Subject: Twain: pay-per-word and style?
> >>=20
> >> Hi Susan,
> >>=20
> >> I hope your post-conference time finds you well!
> >>=20
> >> I am preparing an article on the importance of studying the material
> >> contin=3D
> >> gencies of literary writing, and I wondered if Twain might provide a
> >> useful=3D
> >> example.
> >>=20
> >> Has there been work equating Twain's style or length of prose with the
> >> mate=3D
> >> rial conditions of production for sequel magazine installments paid by
> t=
> he
> >> =3D
> >> word? Or has this approach been debunked by scholars as a way to view
> >> Twain=3D
> >> 's writing? Do you have suggestions of work I should consult? (mine is
> n=
> ot
> >> =3D
> >> a piece on Twain, just American magazine writing in the 19th-c.).
> >>=20
> >> I will certainly conduct my own research, but for a North Star pointing
> =
> me
> >> =3D
> >> in a direction, I could think of no one better than you.
> >>=20
> >> Wishing you all the best,
> >> Bonnie
> >>=20
> >>=20
> >> Bonnie Shaker, Ph.D.
> >> Assistant Professor of English
> >> [cid:image002.jpg@01D3A18F.2E6088B0]
> >> Geauga Campus: 14111 Claridon-Troy Rd., Burton, OH 44021
> >> main: 440-834-4187
> >> direct: 440-834-3725
> >> www.kent.edu/geauga
> >>=20
>