Mary Mapes Dodge and 'St. Nicholas': The Development of a Philosophy and Practice of Publishing for Young People.
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| Title: | Mary Mapes Dodge and 'St. Nicholas': The Development of a Philosophy and Practice of Publishing for Young People. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Fuller, Lawrence B. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 39 |
| Publication Date: | 1984 |
| Document Type: | Opinion Papers Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Adolescent Literature, Authors, Childrens Literature, Editing, Intellectual History, Interpersonal Communication, Interpersonal Relationship, Literary Criticism, Literary Styles, Periodicals, Publishing Industry, Writing for Publication |
| Abstract: | The life of Mary Mapes Dodge, author of "Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates," a pioneer in the field of literature for children and adolescents during the nineteenth century, is recounted in this paper--from her childhood as the daughter of a well-connected but impecunious lecturer, scientist, and inventor through her later years as a widely admired literary figure. The paper focuses on four aspects of Dodge's lengthy career as an author and editor: (1) her development as a writer; (2) the evolution of her philosophy of writing for children, much of which she spelled out in a voluminous correspondence with Horace Scudder, the editor of "Riverside Magazine for Young People" to which she was a regular contributor; (3) her work as the founding and long term editor of "St. Nicholas," a magazine for children and young adults that embodied her philosophy; and (4) her efforts to develop a broad range of social and professional contacts with writers. The paper notes in particular her ability to work under pressure; her business skills; the diplomacy she employed to get reluctant authors to make changes in their manuscripts; her editorial relationships with famous writers such as Louisa May Alcott, Rudyard Kipling, and Samuel Clemens; and her willingness to lend money to authors short on cash, offer advice to fledgling writers, and find outlets for writers in appropriate publications. (RBW) |
| Entry Date: | 1985 |
| Accession Number: | ED251847 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The life of Mary Mapes Dodge, author of "Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates," a pioneer in the field of literature for children and adolescents during the nineteenth century, is recounted in this paper--from her childhood as the daughter of a well-connected but impecunious lecturer, scientist, and inventor through her later years as a widely admired literary figure. The paper focuses on four aspects of Dodge's lengthy career as an author and editor: (1) her development as a writer; (2) the evolution of her philosophy of writing for children, much of which she spelled out in a voluminous correspondence with Horace Scudder, the editor of "Riverside Magazine for Young People" to which she was a regular contributor; (3) her work as the founding and long term editor of "St. Nicholas," a magazine for children and young adults that embodied her philosophy; and (4) her efforts to develop a broad range of social and professional contacts with writers. The paper notes in particular her ability to work under pressure; her business skills; the diplomacy she employed to get reluctant authors to make changes in their manuscripts; her editorial relationships with famous writers such as Louisa May Alcott, Rudyard Kipling, and Samuel Clemens; and her willingness to lend money to authors short on cash, offer advice to fledgling writers, and find outlets for writers in appropriate publications. (RBW) |
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