D. N. Mamin-Sibiryak’s literary autonomy within the system of Russian “thick” journals in the 1880s and 1890s

The study aims to explain the discrepancy between the strong demand for D. N. Mamin-Sibiryak’s work among Russian “thick” literary journals in the 1880s and 1890s and the inconsistency of his critical recognition. Drawing on memoirs, diary entries, and literary-critical writings, the article examines the writer’s relations with editorial circles, particularly “Russkoe bogatstvo” and N. K. Mikhailovsky. The scientific novelty lies in interpreting Mamin-Sibiryak’s literary autonomy as a factor behind the divergence between editorial collaboration and reputational support. By comparing private assessments, public responses, and accounts of editorial practice, the study distinguishes recognition of the author’s professional reliability from the inclusion of his work in a journal’s ideological program. The findings show that his proximity to the Populist milieu and personal connections with its representatives did not diminish the independence of his artistic position. This independence is considered one of the reasons for the selective critical attention his prose received. The conclusions clarify the relationship between authorial freedom and the role of literary journals in shaping an author’s reputation.