Summer reading: ‘Anthropology of an American Girl’
Hilary Thayer Hamann earned a cult following after she self-published her debut novel, “Anthropology of an American Girl,” in 2003. The book did so well that she submitted it to editors in the mainstream publishing world four years later. Speigel & Grau significantly edited and re-published the 600-page book this spring and the book has been getting rave reviews ever since.
Hamman’s editor, Cindy Speigel, says she would have published the book back in 2003. She hopes that other writers won’t take such a “heroic approach” to getting their work in print. She’d rather authors let publishers and editors do their jobs, so that writers can concentrate on writing.
Hamman and Speigel both say that the newly edited version makes a better book, and makes the story of an teenage American girl worthy of high literary praise rather than just another addition to already bursting chick-lit shelves at the bookseller.
The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!