Mainly a criticism of the editorial methods of leading American magazines.

Release date is 2018-05-19

The literary shop: In an old garret. The "Ledger" period of letters. Something about "good bad stuff." The early Holland period. Mendacity during the Holland period of letters. The dawn of the Johnsonian period. Woman's influence in the Johnsonian period. Literature: pawed and unpawed; and the crown-prince thereof. Certain things which a conscientious literary worker may find in the city of New York. "He trun up bote hands!" The conclusion of the whole matter -- And other tales: The poets' strike. Ancient forms of amusement. The sober, industrious poet, and how he fared at Easter-time. The two brothers; or, plucked from the burning. The story of the young man of talent. The society reporter's Christmas. The dying gag. "Only a type-writer." The culture bubble in Ourtown. Some thoughts on the construction and preservation of jokes. McClure's model village for literary toilers. Arrival of the Scotch authors at McClure's literary colony. The canning of perishable literature. Literary leaves by manacled hands. McClure's birthday at Syndicate Village. Literature by prison contract labor. Christmas Eve at the Syndicate Village.

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"The Literary Shop, and Other Tales" by James L. Ford is a collection of narratives written in the late 19th century. This work comprises essays and short stories that explore various aspects of life and literature, particularly focusing on the literary scene of the time, as well as the lives of those involved in it, including writers, editors, and the reading public. Through a mix of humor and critique, the author delves into the dynamics of literary production and consumption in a burgeoning literary marketplace, providing readers with insight into the period's cultural zeitgeist. The opening of the collection introduces readers to a narrator lying in an old garret, surrounded by the remnants of past literary works, memories evoked by old literary magazines, particularly the "New York Ledger". The narrator reflects on the influence of its proprietor, Robert Bonner, on the literature of his day, highlighting the simplicity and targeted nature of the publications that catered to the tastes of a wide audience. As the narrator reminisces about the nostalgic elements of the old garret—such as preserved newspapers and artifacts—he offers a critique of past literary conventions and reveals the complexities of editorial preferences, laying the groundwork for a larger discussion about the evolving landscape of literature and its production. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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