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Anne of Green Gables (1908) is one of the most popular Canadian novels of all time. Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the novel tells the story of Anne Shirley —an imaginative orphan who is mistakenly sent to live with two elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert— and follows her adventures as she comes of age. The book was an immediate success upon publication. Since then, it has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and has been translated into at least 36 languages; it has also been adapted for the screen several times, for both cinema and television.
While Montgomery went on to write several sequels —including Anne of Avonlea (1909), Anne of the Island (1915), and Anne of Windy Poplars (1936) — Anne of Green Gables remains her most popular and widely read work. It was her first novel, as she had written only short stories until then. She began publishing short fiction in newspapers and magazines in 1897, and over the next decade wrote more than 100 stories.
Against this backdrop, it's not difficult to imagine Montgomery's excitement when, after finishing the manuscript of Anne of Green Gables in early 1907, she received a letter from the Boston publisher L. C. Page & Co. a few months later, expressing their willingness to publish her book. To share her big news, Montgomery wrote to Ephraim Weber, one of her regular correspondents, on 2 May 1907. Although she cautioned Weber not to expect too much ("Don’t stick up your ears now, imagining that the great Canadian novel has been written at last"), Montgomery may have suspected she had a hit on her hands.
Cavendish, P.E.I.,
Thursday,
May 2, 1907.
My dear Mr. W.:—
We are just in the middle of housecleaning! I fear that statement will be more or less wasted on a mere man. If it were made to a woman she would appreciate the compliment of my sitting down to write her after a day of it. For the past four days I’ve been scrubbing and whitewashing and digging out old corners and I feel as if all the dust I’ve stirred up and swept out and washed off has got into my soul and settled there and will remain there forever, making it hopelessly black and grimy and unwholesome. Of course I know it won’t but knowing is such a different thing from believing.
Well, I must simply tell you my great news right off! To pretend indifference and try to answer your letter first would be an affectation of which I shall not be guilty. I am blatantly pleased and proud and happy and I shan’t make any pretence of not being so.
Well, last fall and winter I went to work and wrote a book. I didn’t squeak a word to anyone about it because I feared desperately I wouldn’t find a publisher for it. When I got it finished and typewritten I sent it to the L. C. Page Co. of Boston and a fortnight ago, after two months of suspense I got a letter from them accepting my book and offering to publish it on the 10-per cent royalty basis!
Don’t stick up your ears now, imagining that the great Canadian novel has been written at last. Nothing of the sort. It is merely a juvenilish story, ostensibly for girls; [but] as I found the MS. rather interesting while reading it over lately I am not without hope that grown-ups may like it a little. Its title is Anne of Green Gables and the publishers seem to think it will succeed as they want me to go right to work on a sequel to it. I don’t know whether I can do that and make it worth while however.
The Page Co. is a good company. Not one of the top-notchers, of course, such as Harpers or Macmillans: but it has published several successful books by well-known authors, including Charles G. D. Roberts and Bliss Carman.
I signed the contract today; it is a fearsomely legal looking document allred seals and “saids” and “whereases.” There is only one clause in it I don’t altogether like. I have to bind myself to give them the refusal of all the books I may write for the next five years. The insertion of such a clause is rather complimentary, I suppose, but I’d rather not have to agree to it. However, I’ve done so and the rest is on the knees of the gods. I don’t suppose the book will be out before the fall.
While I’m on the “trade” subject I might as well finish with it. I’ve had several successes lately; formerly I would have been delighted over them but now they are quite cast in the shade by my big fish.
The Housekeeper, Minneapolis, have accepted [a] 20,000 word serial. I am to be paid the tenth of May. Don’t know what I will get but they pay well for short stories. I want you to see this story but it won’t be out till next year and they want my photo to publish in their prospectus! Ha-hum!
The Home Magazine, Indianapolis, published by the Reader Co., recently accepted a short story to be paid for on publication. This is a new place for me.
The Blue Book, Chicago, paid $20 for a short story. The editor also asked me to write a 12,000 word serial of mystery and adventure but I told him I couldn’t. I haven’t the knack of such stories so it’s no use my wasting time over them.
I got my check—for $35—from Gunters at last. They have another of my stories in their April number and I presume I shall have a hard time to get my cash also. I don’t intend to send them any more.
There, that’s enough about me and my doings. Now for your letter ....
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