# XII: Of Publishing: With an Unlikely Appendix explained — The Cream of the Jest > Chapter companion for The Cream of the Jest by James Branch Cabell. ## What happens Kennaston completes 'The Audit at Storisende' and submits it to publishers, who praise its literary quality but reject it for commercial reasons. After many rejections, the Baxon-Muir Company accepts it, renames it 'Men Who Loved Alison,' and publishes it. A controversy over indecency in the novel sparks public interest, leading to commercial success and cultural fads, though the book is eventually forgotten by the general public. ## Themes in this chapter ### Art and Illusion Kennaston's struggle to publish his art highlights the tension between artistic integrity and the illusions of commercial success. ### Disillusionment and Cynicism Kennaston becomes disillusioned with the publishing industry, which prioritizes profit over literary quality, and cynically observes the fickle nature of public taste. ### The Power of Storytelling The novel's eventual success through controversy demonstrates how storytelling can captivate the public, even if briefly. ## Character check-ins ### Felix Kennaston Completes his romance 'The Audit at Storisende,' endures multiple rejections, revises the manuscript, and eventually sees it published as 'Men Who Loved Alison.' ### Sir Guiron des Rocques Mentioned as a character in the novel's controversial chapters about his imprisonment in the Sacred Grove of Caer Idryn. ### Scoteia Referenced as the sigil of Scoteia, which is part of the worship in the Sacred Grove of Caer Idryn in Kennaston's novel. ### Alison The renamed heroine of Kennaston's published novel 'Men Who Loved Alison'; the name becomes a cultural phenomenon. ### Mr. Booth Tarkington Mentioned as a contemporary author whose romance competed with Kennaston's book in sales. ## Key lines > No fool like an old fool Kennaston's common sense chides him for his foolishness in preserving the sigil. _Reflects Kennaston's self-awareness and the tension between his rational mind and his fascination with the dream._ > publishers in their business capacity have no especial concern with literature. Publishers care more about commercial viability than literary merit. _Highlights the central conflict of the chapter: art versus commerce._ > the book was delivered to the world, which received the gift without excitement. The novel was published but initially met with indifference from the public. _Sets up the later controversy that sparks interest._ > it was one of those rare miracles such as sometimes palm off a well-written book upon the vast public that reads for pastime. It was a rare instance where a well-written book achieved popular success. _Kennaston's ironic observation on the accidental nature of his book's fame._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters/xii-of-publishing-with-an-unlikely-appendix - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters