Living by the Pen : Women Writers in the Eighteenth Century

Living by the Pen traces the pattern of the development of women's fiction from 1696 to 1796 and offers an interpretation of its distinctive features. It focuses upon the writers rather than their works, and identifies professional novelists. Through examination of the extra-literary context, and particularly the publishing market, the book asks why and how women earned a living by the pen. Cheryl Turner has researched and lectured widely in the field of eighteenth-century women's writing. Based On A Substantial Listing Of Novels, Authors And Publication Details From 1696 To 1796, Living By The Pen Traces The Pattern Of Growth Of Women's Fiction And Offers A Persuasive Explanation For The Remarkable Rise Of Women Writers During This Period. Professional Novelists Are Identified And The Book Breaks New Ground By Exploring This Aspect Of Women's Writing In Relation To The World Of Publishing. The Coverage Is Broad, Taking Into Account Seventeenth-century Antecedents, The Occupation Structure For Women, The Writers' Relationship With Their Publishers, Methods And Levels Of Payment, The Readership, Access To Women's Fiction Through Libraries And Magazines, And The Writers' Use Of Other Genres To Support Their Literary Careers.--jacket. 1. Earlier Interpretations Of The Development Of Eighteenth-century Women's Fiction -- 2. Seventeenth-century Foundations -- 3. The Growth Of Eighteenth-century Women's Fiction -- 4. Professional Authorship -- The Alternatives For Women -- 5. Women Novelists And Their Publishers -- 6. Professional Women Novelists -- Earning An Income -- 7. Access To Women's Fiction. Appendix A.a Catalogue Of Women's Fiction Published In Book Form 1696-1796 -- Appendix B.a Chronological List Of Women Authors 1696-1796. Cheryl Turner. Appendix A: A Catalogue Of Women's Fiction Published In Book Form 1696-1796. Appendix B: A Chronological List Of Women Authors 1696-1796. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 236-250) And Index. Living by the Pen traces the pattern of the development of women's fiction from 1696 to 1796 and offers an interpretation of its distinctive features. It focuses upon the writers rather than their works, and identifies professional novelists. Through examination of the extra-literary context, and particularly the publishing market, the book asks why and how women earned a living by the pen.

Cheryl Turner has researched and lectured widely in the field of eighteenth-century women's writing.

The author traces the pattern of growth of women's fiction between 1696 and 1796, and tries to find an explanation for the remarkable rise of women writers during this period. Attention is given to the occupation structure for women, writers' relationship with their publishers, methods and levels of payment, access to women's fiction through libraries and magazines, and the writers' use of other genres to support their literary careers Those interested in eighteenth-century women's fiction who turn to the secondary sources for the first time will probably be struck by the way in which (with conspicuous exceptions) these novelist have been squeezed into the margins and corners of our literary heritage. Examines how and why women earned a living publishing material, tracing the pattern of growth of women's fiction, occupation stucture, payment, and access to women's fiction. With comprehensive indexes this book is an invaluable resource. Based on a listing of novels, authors and publication details from 1696 to 1796, the study traces the pattern of growth of women's fiction and offers an explanation fot the rise of women writers as a group during this period