5 - The novel

Summary

Readers in this country have a decided and strong preference for works (especially fiction) in which a single and connected story occupies the whole volume, or number of volumes, as the case may be.

–Harper and Brothers to Poe, June 1836

Discouraged from publishing his “Tales of the Folio Club” with Philadelphia's largest publisher, Edgar Allan Poe turned to New York's. The year before Poe came to Gotham, he corresponded with one of its foremost literary figures as well as its leading publisher. Just as he had sought John Pendleton Kennedy's assistance to place the collection of tales with Carey, Lea, and Blanchard, Poe sought James Kirke Paulding's help to place the book with the Harpers. Paulding had established his literary reputation three decades before with Salmagundi, an essay collection he wrote with Washington Irving, and continued it through his satirical yet good-hearted Letters from the South and such historical novels as Koningsmarke; or, Old Times in the New World. Starting in 1834, the Harpers began issuing a collected edition of Paulding's writings, a projected twelve- or fifteen-volume set. Poe did not know Paulding personally, but his employer, Thomas W White, had corresponded with him. Poe contacted him through White and convinced him to take possession of his manuscript and to bring it to the Harpers' attention. Paulding was aware of the critical notices in the Southern Literary Messenger and admired Poe's literary abilities; he did not mind doing a favor for the younger man.