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Letter 23.
It was very good of you to answer my questions so promptly.
The overtures regarding my new book have come through Mr. Walter H. Page (who wanted me to give my last novel to Houghton and Mifflin). He writes me, confidentially, that Mr. Doubleday is to withdraw his publishing interests from Mr. McClure, and that the firm will henceforth be "Doubleday, Page, & Co." Do you know anything of this arrangement? Mr. Page has shown a great deal of interest in my book, but as a publisher, I have no knowledge of either Mr. Doubleday or himself. As a rule I do not like new firms, but I should be glad to hear what you think of the matter. Mr. Page tells me that it (the house) will "devote itself to you interests—literary and financial," and "be willing to make any reasonable arrangement with you that you may wish," as well as look after my books that are now "in the hands of the receiver of Harper & Brothers." This of course is confidential, as I am upon very friendly terms with Mr. Page. What I do want to know is the standing, financial and otherwise, of the new firm.
Indeed, I thank you very much for your willingness to serve the new book. If I do not give it to the Messrs. Harper, I shall certainly be only to[o] glad to have you do what you can for me—though as I know Mr. Page personally of course it will not be courteous for me to send anyone else to consult with him.
As for the others—Macmillan, Scribners, & the rest, I should like to learn their attitude with regard to my work. At any rate, the novel goes to Mr. Heinemann, through you, as did the other.
It is a book about Virginia, & so vastly different from my former works, that I suppose it will both please and disappoint. It is not historical in the conventional sense, & it is not romantically exciting, but it is a good, sound, solid, true-to-life kind of novel.
I am afraid I shan't be in New York this winter—I am working too hard, and the weather here is too glorious to forego. Thanking you for your letter,
Very sincerely yours,
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