by Manushag N. Powell (Author)

This book embraces periodicals across the first two-thirds of the eighteenth century to argue that this mode of writing, packed with humor and verve, originates the figure of the mass market author as a literary character. The author posits that, at the same time, periodicals harbor inescapable doubts as to whether such a character is sustainable.

Author Biography

Manushag N. Powell is assistant professor in the English Department at Purdue University. Her research interests are centered on the cultural history of literary forms and include early types of "genre" fiction writing, the periodical essay, and authors-as-characters.