Please send newspapers that printed letters from France. Will have a volume of poems published in the spring. Would like to borrow a Lincoln directory to get addresses to send advertising circulars. Willa S. Cather [Stout #79]
Has been called to New York. Please advise what journals might review the book of poems. Hopes McClure's bodes well. W. S. C. [Stout #83]
As a result of Dorothy's having written to her [Cather's] mother, has had the first letter from her that she could bear to read in two years. They may yet make peace. Isabelle and Edith away on a fishing trip to West Virginia. Sarah Harris has written denouncing the "animalism" of April Twilights—must be crazy. Is tired from parties and work. Is Mrs. Canfield painting? Has she read "The Better Sort" [volume of short stories by Henry James, pub. 1903]? Very complex and obscure. Willie [Stout #85]
Sorry for the tactless letter. Still not used to having to reject things. Glad she likes April Twilights. Thinks "The Palatine," published in McClure's the previous summer, is better than poems in the book. Suggests Zoë study Miss Guiney's work as a model of richness combined with restraint. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #152]
Sorry she has discovered that book of bad poetry. She shouldn't waste good money buying a copy. W. S. C. [Stout #232]
Interested in her new efforts in play production. Looking forward to seeing her piece [probably "Did It Really Happen?"] in Smart Set. What is she going to do with the Spoon River poet in her anthology? [The "anthology" was a series by Akins published from Feb. 19 to Aug. 13, 1915, in Reedy's Mirror, St. Louis. The series was to have been published in book form but was not until 1994, under the title In the Shadow of Parnassus: A Critical Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, edited by Catherine Parke.] He is beneath comment. P.S.: Sending some poems not in April Twilights. Novel finished and being set in type. W. S. C. [Stout #415]
Appreciated her interesting comments on One of Ours. Most critics wanted her to repeat Ántonia, though only two reviewers had liked it [ Ántonia ] when it was new. Has been delayed by work on proofs of new edition of April Twilights, so won't have Thanksgiving at home after all. Leaves tomorrow. Willa Cather [Stout #650]
Has seen doctor she recommended and likes him. Manuscript is ready to pick up. Please send proofs of April Twilights as soon as possible. W. S. C. [Stout #665]
Enclosing ridiculous letter from Hettie Skeen, trying to fake literary awareness. Is almost well from her cold. Will dine at the Knopfs' on Monday with Myra Hess, pianist. "Claude" still selling well. New edition of April Twilights beautifully and expensively done. Willie [Stout #668]
Had to postpone sailing until April, so will be here when April Twilights comes out. Looking forward to seeing it. Willa Cather [Stout #682]
