The Editor's Relations with the Young Contributor (from Literature and Life) (ePub)

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was a prominent American literary figure, celebrated for both his extensive work as a novelist and critic and for his leading role in American letters during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Howells was a proponent of realistic fiction, serving as an advocate for the depiction of everyday American life with fidelity. This philosophy led him to be called 'The Dean of American Letters,' a title that acknowledged his influence in shaping American literature and literary standards of his time.

Howells penned numerous novels, including 'A Modern Instance' (1882), and 'The Rise of Silas Lapham' (1885), which earned him a reputation for portraying the challenges and nuances of social and moral issues within the framework of realism. His work often emphasized ethical conflicts and social critique, while maintaining a narrative accessibility that made his novels popular among a wide readership. In addition to his fiction, Howells also authored essays on literary theory, as exemplified in his book 'The Editor's Relations with the Young Contributor' (from 'Literature and Life'), where he offered insights and guidance to aspiring writers.

His tenure as editor of 'The Atlantic Monthly' further solidified his status as a literary gatekeeper, as he championed emerging writers and the realist movement. An extensive correspondent and a friend to authors such as Mark Twain and Henry James, Howells was deeply enmeshed in the literary culture of his day. His participation in literary circles, his critical essays, and his own fictional works, make him a central figure in the annals of American literature.