Women in the Literary Market 1800-1900

Sin and Sensation
horizontal rule
By the 1860s, publishing opportunities for women were expanding as never before. Much of this expansion arose from the growing dominance of the novel. In 1825, only around 25 new novels were published in Great Britain; by 1850, the total was about 100; by 1864, it was more than 300; and in 1874, 644 new novels appeared.

Thanks to new developments in publishing–such as publication in parts, cheap one-volume reprints, and subscription circulating libraries–a successful novelist might now command a huge audience. And since novels lacked the high-cultural status that would have made entrée into the field difficult for them, an increasing number of women were encouraged to try their hands at writing a best seller.

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introduction
early role models
entering the literary market
learned poets
getting into print
charlotte bronte and george eliot
sin and sensation
new women
education
journalism
activism
L.T. Meade
the three volume format
credits
home
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