Please send twenty-five reprints from Chicago News. Is Houghton Mifflin going to insert this item as a folder into new publications? Knopf has done that for Hergesheimer. Long letter to come soon. W. S. C. [Stout #459]
Has many things to take up with him. Bill for corrections on proof has brought all this to a head. If Houghton Mifflin really valued her, wouldn't they absorb such costs? Three New York publishers have approached her recently. Houghton Mifflin has not used good reviews effectively to boost sales and has not been diligent about getting review copies out. One reviewer told her Houghton Mifflin seems unwilling to praise this book. Why are they reluctant to quote people who say things like "great writer"? Wishes they would advertise her as Knopf has Hergesheimer, but they do not seem to take a long-term interest in her books. Their stock of The Song of the Lark has dropped to eight copies and O Pioneers! to four. Hates to have books with two different publishers, but wants a press that will believe in her. Willa Cather [Stout #461]
Please try to get something quotable about her books from Hugh Walpole. Knopf would do this if he were publishing her next book. Leaving Friday [Oct. 10]. Willa S. C. [Stout #476]
Hopes he will be in New York before January 7. Please change the mustard-color binding of O Pioneers!. If the company doesn't want to bother with the book, how much would they want for the rights to it? Has agreed to let Knopf bring out a new edition of The Troll Garden in early spring. Will make sure it isn't at the same time as "Claude." P.S.: The Bookman ad was the only time they were willing to make bold claims for the quality of her books. Willa Cather [Stout #489]
Sending quotation from William Allen White. Please return it. Miss Lewis has had a relapse and they couldn't get a nurse. What is the doctor calling the bug he has? Sorry he didn't see Knopf. Viola Roseboro' has been telling her she can't find a copy of Ántonia. Stores in Chicago have been unable to get copies, and Brentano's says its order hasn't been filled. Willa Cather [Stout #495]
Has not seen Knopf for a while but has watched his advertising and decided to sign with him for "Claude." Decision based solely on publicity. Not a permanent commitment. Has not yet told Knopf. Greenslet seemed reluctant for her to write about the war or to write again about the West, and this book is primarily war and West. P.S.: Wants to write him personally before he leaves for Europe. [Stout #528]
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]
He may find this telegram from her publisher interesting. It's about the new novel. [Encloses copy of telegram from Alfred Knopf praising One of Ours, still in typescript.] Willa Cather [Stout #553]
Enclosing copy of Knopf's telegram praising the novel [ One of Ours ]. Willa Cather [Stout #554]
Thanks for the Italian cruets and for the book Mr. Knopf sent. Will be in on Fridays again. Willa Cather [Stout #567]
