My First Book (1894) is a collection of reminiscences by some of the
leading fiction writers of the Victorian era. Beginning with a heartfelt
introduction by English humorist Jerome K. Jerome, the collection
includes reflections by such literary titans as Robert Louis Stevenson,
Rudyard Kipling, and Arthur Conan Doyle. "It rose to my lips to answer
him that it was not always the books written very, very well that
brought in the biggest heaps of money [...] But something about the
almost baby face beside me, fringed by the gathering shadows, silenced
my middle-aged cynicism." In his brilliant introduction, Jerome recalls
a scenario that will be familiar to writers at any stage in their
career. A young and ambitious artist seeks the advice of an older
mentor. The mentor longs to warn the writer about the difficulties of
obtaining success, but knows that to do so would risk breaking the
essential innocence necessary for making art. Conscious of this dynamic,
the contributors to My First Book endeavor to demystify the writing
process as well as the trajectory of their own careers by sharing with
readers how their first major works came into being. Heartfelt,
humorous, and ultimately honest, their reflections remain invaluable to
writers from all walks of life. With a beautifully designed cover and
professionally typeset manuscript, this edition My First Book is a
classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
