The Rise of Provincial Publishing

By Eastcott's time, the main avenue for local writers to have their works published had shifted from noble patronage to subscriber lists. Eastscott's subscribers were mainly other music afficionados throughout Devon. Some of his subscribers appear as subjects in his anecdotes. This could signify that Eastcott promised to include potential subscribers in his book to entice them to fund his research.

This book was printed, folded, and published by one man, Samuel Hazard in Bath. It was more common for provincial books to be made this way. The sellers list contains local booksellers from Cornwall all the way to the streets of London. Eastscott intended for his book to be accessible to young students in provincial academies, but it sold well throughout England. Sketches of music was so successfulthat a second edition was released, this book being an example.