New cover is fine. Leaves for Durango on Friday [August 6]. Uncertain where she'll be the next few weeks. Willa Cather [Stout #318]
Stores in Lincoln say they are unable to get copies. One has never heard of the book or the poster either. W. S. Cather [Stout #326]
Thinks the ad is unexciting. Why not quote some of the really live statements in reviews? Has redone the ad proposing some other quotations. [Encloses example.] Has sent her Nation to Will Owen Jones for reprint. Willa Cather [Stout #329]
Has written to McClure about providing a sketch, but he is away in Texas. Will try to write the article for Book News if he will send more specific instructions. Let Mr. Scaife know about the quotable reviews in the Boston Advertiser and the New Bedford Standard. P.S.: Wondering if it will be reviewed in the Atlantic. Willa Cather [Stout #330]
Sending H. L. Mencken's article [in Smart Set January 1916?]. Has he seen Hugh Walpole's article in Bookman? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #348]
Enclosing the story she had told him about. Hopes he doesn't object to an indirect method of narration. Appreciates his review of The Song of the Lark. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #355]
True, the story suggests Lillian Nordica, though there are only two specifics that resemble her life, the shipwreck and the dispute over the will. Yes, her last husband, George Young, is still alive. Let her know by mail if he is going to be in town, as she has had her telephone disconnected. P.S.: Truly doesn't see how Young could object to the story. Willa S. Cather [Stout #358]
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]
Is at home on Fridays in February, four to seven. [Stout #381]
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]
