American novelist, children's writer, humorist, and newspaper columnist from the 1850s to the 1870s, Fanny Fern (real name of Sara Payson Willis) was the first woman to have her own regular column, became the highest-paid columnist in the US by 1855, and would support herself for more than 20 years by her writing. Ginger-Snaps, published in 1870, covers a broad range of topics in plain language and with biting humor. She describes these columns in her Preface as follows: “When I was a little girl, I used to play "make ginger-snaps;" and I always tossed in all the ginger in the spice-box, be it more or less; so if you find these rather biting, attribute it to the force of early habits. Beside, they are not intended for a "square meal;" only to nibble at, in the steamboat, or railroad-car, or under the trees in the country; or when your dear, but tardy John, is keeping you waiting, with your gloves buttoned, and your bonnet-strings tied; or, best of all, when you are sitting in your rocking-chair, nursing that dear little baby. I do not think the milk of human kindness is wanting in these Ginger-Snaps, and I trust they are—kneaded. - Summary by Winnifred Assmann and Fanny Fern

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