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46 / John S. Phillips John Sanborn Phillips (1861–1949) cofounded McClure’s Magazine with S. S. McClure in 1893. In early Feb­ ru­ ary 1898, Phillips offered Norris a position in New York City with the magazine and their syndicate that sold short stories to newspapers. Thus began their working relationship, which also included Norris ’s involvement in the operations of the book publishing firm of Doubleday & McClure Co. That relationship ceased at the end of 1899, when Norris chose to take a more promising position with the newly formed book publishing firm of Doubleday, Page & Co. Despite Norris’s decision to ally himself with the new venture, Phillips seems to have harbored no ill will toward Norris: his wife,­ Jennie Beale Peterson Phillips (1867–?), years later, on No­ vem­ ber 23, 1952, told Hart, “I remember Frank Norris perfectly, his genial manner and what an interesting conversationalist he was.” Source: John S. Phillips to Franklin D. Walker, letter, April 18, 1932, Franklin Dickerson Walker Papers, BANC MSS C-­ H 79, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berke­ ley. My dear Mr. Walker: I rec’d the pages from your book ms. & also a letter from Mr. Norris.66 Reading the scattered pages gives me little idea of the tone or trend of the biography. I fear I can be of little help. I have made a few corrections in the copy—inessential no doubt. It would be necessary for me to write many pages about Frank Norris & his life here & the McClure office, the work he did there in the book dept (Double­ day & McClure Co.), the writing he did on books-­ to-­ be to give life & color to the period. This I cannot do. In those two years we brought out 3 books of his, Moran, McTeague & Blix. He was writing much of the time; merely seeing the books through the press is something of a job in itself. You say he finished Moran & wrote Blix.67 I am not sure, but I have an idea that both were either finished or near completion when he reached New York. Certainly he handed in McTeague very early. After we Part 4. Professional Years / 189 had brought out this novel (held up by Double­ day’s hesitancy because of the realistic contents) Frank gave me the ms. of “The Brute.”68 Not only Double­ day but most of us were doubtful about publication. I sent the ms. over to William Heinemann, the English publisher of McTeague. But even the continental-­minded Heinemann, who recognized its remarkable qualities , would not risk publication. After Frank’s death the ms. was found by Charles Norris, who apparently had never heard of it, & published it with D. P. & Co. some fifteen years ago. There had been such a change in the­ sensitiveness or tolerance of readers that it did not appear to shock readers , as we & Heinemann feared it might back in ’99. It was late in ’98 or perhaps in ’99 that Frank gave me a big chunk of The Octopus to read. We talked of a “Trilogy of Wheat”: (1) Octopus (“Squid”), (2) Pit, (3) “Bread” (labor, poverty, ­ hunger).69 In the meantime we sent Frank with the distinguished illustrator & printer W. J. Glackens to Cuba.70 Frank returned with plenty of notes & some interesting loot; Glackens with a rich lot of sketches. But the interest in that war died a natural death in a comparatively short time, & there was little demand for the material. You see Frank did after all a lot of work & had some interesting experiences in that year & those quarters. His concern was well founded in that period. The separation of McClure & Doubleday, & the adherence of Frank to the latter, is an intricate story which I could not tell in brief space. After the separation arrangement was made, & we started the book publishing firm of McClure, Phillips & Co., I took my family to Italy on account of my health. It was during my absence that Frank made the connection with Doubleday. I had no intention of writing so long a letter when I sat down at the desk. I doubt if there is anything of use to you. Yours truly, John S. Phillips ...

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