Business Is Good

Widely regarded as one of Americas great authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald led a life of drama and extravagance that often overshadowed his writing career. This book refocuses attention on how Fitzgerald viewed and approached the business of writing. Fitzgerald scholar James L. W. West III explores the writers professional life through personal letters, manuscripts, his business ledger, editions of his novels, and even a seven-year plan. In assessing these diverse materials, West reveals fascinating details about what led Fitzgerald to follow authorship as a calling, why he took on certain projects, how he managed his finances, and what influenced his writing style. Connecting Fitzgeralds career to his literary texts, West also provides new information on the development and publication history of some of Fitzgeralds most important works, such as The Great Gatsby and Jacobs Ladder. Throughout, West pays close attention to the delicate balance in Fitzgeralds career between money and literary respectability, commerce and art. A keen, engaging, and intimate look at Fitzgeralds day-to-day work of writing for a living, Business Is Good is a must-have for anyone who wants a better understanding of this American literary giant.