Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women.

Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1868. The novel is published in two volumes. Part One sells out its initial printing of 2,000 copies in two weeks and Alcott is asked to write Part Second, which is published in 1869. It has never been out of print since. Success for Alcott comes after editor James Fields had discouraged her from pursuing a writer career and told her to stick to her teaching, and after publisher Thomas Niles had suggested that she write a book for girls. Although Alcott goes on to become a popular and well-paid author, she had once written in her journal, “Never liked girls, or knew many, except my sisters.”