Having been read by various literary works, not all of us think about how they are published.
Often, readers do not even suspect that the writers who created a genius novel or story have a hard time, because the publishers did not like their work for one reason or another, and they refuse to publish it.
In our article, you can learn about 10 significant novels that at first nobody wanted to print.
10. Herman Melville "Moby Dick"
The creator of one of the best works of American romanticism turned for help to Bentley & Son (an English publisher), which had a positive reputation.
However, the editor-in-chief refused the writer to publish his manuscript. He considered that the novel has no commercial potential. After this refusal, Melville faced many others and tried his luck again in where he turned for the first time.
The manuscript fell into the hands of another employee of the publishing house, he agreed to publish it, but the writer had to pay some costs for its release on his own.
9. Marcel Proust “Towards Svan”
This novel is included in the series of works “In Search of Lost Time”. Today, he is considered one of the best examples of modernist prose.
But when the author came to the Editions Gallimard publishing house with a proposal to print his work, he was refused. Also refused to publish his book and three other major French publishers.
Then Proust decided to print the novel at his own expense in 1913. The work was successful among readers.
His next book, Editions Gallimard, was printed without problems and did not fail, in 1919 the writer won the Goncourt Prize.
8. William Golding “Lord of the Flies”
The author of the allegorical novel Lord of the Flies was denied publication about 20 times. For example, one of the largest English publishers - “Penguin Books” left a rather rude review about the book, talking about its nonsense.
Not really believing in luck, the future winner of awards and awards in the field of literature sent his work to another publishing house, which not only undertook to print the novel, but also offered the author a contract.
7. Jack Kerouac “On the Road”
The novel, which later became a model of bit-generation literature, was repeatedly rejected by numerous publications, although its author was very upset after the refusal of an Alfred A. Knopf employee, since he wanted to print with them, everything changed after his meeting with Tom Ginsburg.
The head of Viking Press helped Kerouac edit the manuscript, which was printed in 1957.
Over time, the novel became one of the best-selling, repeatedly included in the lists by type: “100 best novels” according to versions of various magazines and other publications.
6. Vladimir Nabokov "Lolita"
The book has become one of the most significant in the work of Vladimir Nabokov. It was written in 1953, most publishers, including the Viking Press, immediately refused to print it, citing their refusal of fear of being in prison if they publish it.
In the end, it was released in 1955 by Olympia Press (publishing house in France), which was said to specialize in publishing erotic works and not of the best quality.
The novel aroused mixed perception, many literary critics tried to smash it to smithereens. But today the work has been appreciated in many countries, the author himself called it a serious book.
5. Francis Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
The fate of the novel The Great Gatsby was not easy. In 1923, the author showed the work to his friend, who was part-time and editor, he immediately showed the writer what needs to be corrected and brought to mind in the novel.
Work on the work was very painstaking. Finally, Charles Scribner’s Sons agreed to print it. After publication, he did not bring much glory to the author.
The book gained popularity and recognition after the death of Fitzgerald, when it was reprinted.
4. William Faulkner “Noise and Rage”
The fourth novel of William Faulkner was not published immediately. At first, the author requested that his work be published in Harcourt, which was published by many other literary figures, but was refused.
After that, the writer brought his creation to Jonathan Cape. The book was released by them in 1929. Further, the author signed a contract with this publisher and released four more of his works.
3. Ernest Hemingway "Fiesta (And the sun rises)"
The work was published in 1926 by Charles Scribner’s Sons, before which it was rejected by Peacock and Peacock.
Young Hemingway was lucky to meet Maxwell Perkins, who was the editor and friend of Fitzgerald. He was able to appreciate the book of a novice author, to come up with an interesting advertising campaign for it to please readers and be well-sold.
2. John Updike "Rabbit Run"
Employees of "Random House" did not put the work of Updike into print, believing that the actions in it excessively diverge from the real ones and look transcendent.
I did not like the work and Alfred A. Knopf, but its editors decided to release the book, advising the author to remove too frank scenes.
There were various reviews of the novel, for example, in Ireland it was banned, considering that it was propaganda of promiscuous sexual relations outside of marriage.
However, according to the version of Time magazine, the work was included in the 100 best from 1923 to 2005.
1. Anita Luz “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
Charles Scribner’s Sons in 1925 refused to publish Anita Luz’s novel, which by that time was an icon of feminism.
Then the writer attributed her work to their competitors, Boni & Liveright, which had previously published books by Theodor Dreiser and other famous authors.
The novel was published, the circulation was sold out in a matter of days, and in 1953 a film was released based on it, the main role in which was played by Marilyn Monroe.