I think of "venue" in terms of a lecture hall, not a literary market. But that is because my income is based on writing for the lecture and stage, not the publisher. I agree that the subscription era created ideal conditions for padding, both to increase book revenue and as a cross-marketing strategy. IA is a great starting point, but I submit that anywhere you find repetition and "stuffed" sentences during that period, you will uncover evidence of writing for the subscription market. Now I will have to reread post-Webster titles to verify my premise unless others here can chime in with additions and corrections. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 9, 2018, at 11:33 AM, Taylor Roberts <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> _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 book
> market?
> 
> 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, are
> more concise.
> 
> Great idea, but I don't know if anyone has researched this!
> 
> Take care
> Taylor
> 
> 
>> On Fri, Feb 9, 2018 at 10:45 AM, Harris, Susan Kumin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>> Twain/Lit people please note.  A friend asked me this question about
>> studie=
>> s of the relationship between Twain's writing style and his venues.  I
>> thin=
>> k it's a fascinating topic but not one I'm up on.  Can anyone help her?
>> 
>> 
>> Reply to me via the Forum, and I'll buck the replies to her.  Thanks,
>> every=
>> one!  --susan harris
>> 
>> 
>> Susan K. Harris
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> 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?
>> 
>> Hi Susan,
>> 
>> I hope your post-conference time finds you well!
>> 
>> I am preparing an article on the importance of studying the material
>> contin=
>> gencies of literary writing, and I wondered if Twain might provide a
>> useful=
>> example.
>> 
>> Has there been work equating Twain's style or length of prose with the
>> mate=
>> rial conditions of production for sequel magazine installments paid by the
>> =
>> word? Or has this approach been debunked by scholars as a way to view
>> Twain=
>> 's writing? Do you have suggestions of work I should consult? (mine is not
>> =
>> a piece on Twain, just American magazine writing in the 19th-c.).
>> 
>> I will certainly conduct my own research, but for a North Star pointing me
>> =
>> in a direction, I could think of no one better than you.
>> 
>> Wishing you all the best,
>> Bonnie
>> 
>> 
>> 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
>>