was originally serialised in the journal

, after Charles Dickens, the journal’s editor, wrote to Lytton to enquire whether he might be interested in contributing “a tale” (Brown, 157). Although offering his latest story idea initially to Blackwood, with whom he had published exclusively in the past, the publisher could not match Dickens’ offer; and so, ultimately, Lytton would agree to a rate of £1500 for the serial rights, with an additional £1200 for two year exclusivity in volume form to Sampson Low, Son & Co., plus £300 for US serialisation. With this impressive sum agreed,

began serialisation in August 1861, the week after the final instalment of

was published.

Lytton was, however, fraught with concern

1984 words

Citation: Flynn, Hayley. "A Strange Story". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 October 2022 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=6957, accessed 23 November 2024.]