People she knows from Sweden and Norway have indicated possible interest there in translations of O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Could he take it up with publishers, perhaps enclosing a copy of Edward Garnett's article in last February's Atlantic? Is enclosing a list of the best people to write. He can get their attention by mentioning that reviewers have thought Thea Kronborg was modeled after Olive Fremstad. Please send three dozen copies of the advertising booklet for her to send to people who inquire. Finishing some short stories for Reynolds to place, but will start on the next book soon. Hopes he can come to New York to discuss the Scandinavian possibilities. Will have a phone in soon and send him the number. Might he be there next Thursday [Dec. 21] for dinner with the Hambourgs, S. S. McClure, and Harry Dwight? McClure will tell everyone about the war. Willa S. C. [Stout #375]
Has set aside "The Blue Mesa" to work on a novel with western setting about the same length as O Pioneers!. Is about half through the first draft. How late could she get manuscript in to have a fall publication date? May have it by end of May or middle of June. If a fall publication this year not possible, will probably set it aside and do more stories. Reynolds can get $700 each for them. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #382]
Will take $350 for the stories. Suggests he try "Little Annie" on McClure's and Everybody's. Did Smart Set reject "Scandal"? W. S. C. [Stout #391]
Will be back to Bank Street Oct. 10. Making good progress on the novel. Houghton Mifflin urging her to hurry. Sending a rough first draft of a story called "Explosives." Willa S. Cather [Stout #393]
Might sell "Little Annie" to this editor. [Retitled "Her Boss," the story was published in Smart Set, October 1919.] W. S. C. [Stout #416]
No, hasn't sold "Aphrodite," but has tried to. Sailing for France soon. W. C. [Stout #501]
Novel still not finished. Knopf may already have promised another magazine first look at the galleys. Which one is Reynolds talking to? Willa Cather [Stout #541]
Ideas in Boyd's editorial "A Revaluation," which proposed definitions of the novel, need to be stated more clearly. A true artist of literature knows his or her material sufficiently well to write literally, but does not write literally because art is metaphorical or suggestive. Details in writing are there to create effects and serve the end of the literary structure. [Stout #581]
Can't produce to order. If she does any short stories during the winter she will let him show his client. Willa Cather [Stout #656]
Send mail to the Hotel La Fonda, Santa Fe, N.M. Enjoying her trip. W. C. [Stout #789]
