Abstract:

This paper analyzes the manuscript publication characters during 3—11 century in China with the example of Shi Shuo Xin Yu. Making private copies is the main public communication way of manuscripts. The authors provide the final draft to the public directly. There are several manuscript types during making private copies.Therefore the name of the book is different, the volumes and chapters are different and also the clerical mistakes is inevitable. But readers would preserve order of book communication with admitting the right of authorship, commenting and emendation. For the authors in manuscript era, right of authorship is the only important thing. Since making private copies prevails, book sellers are not as important as today.

Key words: Manuscript;　Publishing; ,  Shi Shuo Xin Yu;　Make private copies