LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY: II
On a rainy night in May 1905, Maud began writing the story of Anne. Many delays were caused by Maud's responsibilities, so she thought about plot and dialogue while doing dishes, laundry and working in the post office. She wrote the story by hand in the kitchen or her bedroom. Maud knew if she could bring the story together it would change her life.
It took Maud months to write Anne's story. In October 1905, she knew it was ready to submit to a publisher. She typed the manuscript and sent "Anne of Green Gables," to a carefully chosen publisher. It was returned immediately.
The rejection didn't discourage Maud. She sent the manuscript off to another publisher. Again it was rejected. In fact, "Anne of Green Gables," was rejected by five different publishers. Maud began to be discouraged. Possibly the only work she would ever have published was poems and short stories.
Maud stored, "Anne of Green Gables," in a hatbox in an old cupboard. One day she would revise it to a short story as she had originally planned.
"Anne" slipped from Maud's mind as she diligently wrote poems, short stories and a hymn about PEI. Months later she came across "Anne" while cleaning out the cupboard. She read it and became very excited. She would submit it again. Maud bundled up the manuscript and mailed it ot L.C. Page & Company. This time the book was accepted for publication. Maud's dream had been realized.
On June 20, 1908, a package arrived. It was a copy of "Anne of Green Gables." Maud wrote in her diary, "My first book. Not a great book, but mine, mine, mine... Anne is as real to me as if I had given birth." Maud hoped "Anne" would be a success. It was - beyond her wildest dreams. It immediately soared to "best seller."
Maud became famous. Canada's governor-general and the British Prime Minister loved it. Mark Twain sent her a fan letter.
L.C. Page & Company gave Maud a choice. They would either pay her a lump sum of $500. for the book, or she could collect royalties. Wisely, Maude chose royalties. Her first check was in the amount of $1,730 - a huge amount for that era.
L.C. Page insisted that Maud turn "Anne" into a series. She found writing the second book a very difficult task. She had not planned on writing another "Anne" book. The publisher insisted it be written quickly.
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