Early in the nineteenth century, London emerged as Britain's publishing hub, drawing printers, periodical writers, and booksellers. Serialized literature and magazines made reading a popular pastime as literacy rates increased and printing became more affordable. Working-class and middle-class readers may buy literature in small portions because stories were sold on a weekly or monthly basis at reasonable costs. This thriving consumer market served as the foundation for Charles Dickens' career. Novels were written differently as a result of the transition, frequently concluding chapters with cliffhangers to entice readers to buy more.
