This is a novel book. The history of composition and publication of the three novels is similar. By this point in his career, Howells had devised the system of selling the serialization rights to his novels on the basis of an idea, a few sentences of description, or a brief summary of the theme or situation he intended to develop. The magazine would begin publishing the serial while Howells was writing it, and he would simultaneously compose future installments and correct proof for installments already set in type. As each monthly installment was set in type and sent to him for correction and revision, Howells returned a set of corrected proofs to the magazine and then sent another copy to David Douglas, his publisher in Edinburgh.
