Final answer:
U.S. authors became the majority of best-selling authors in the U.S. during the early 20th century, influenced by the growth of the American publishing industry and advancements in technology that promoted the consumption of local literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
U.S. authors finally became the majority of best-selling authors in the U.S. in the early 20th century. The progression of the American literary tradition was deeply intertwined with the advancements in the American publishing industry, which started growing significantly in the mid-19th century. Technological improvements such as steam-powered machinery and gas-fueled lights facilitated the production and consumption of printed materials, fostering a cultural shift towards American literature.
The completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was pivotal in consistently transporting goods and allowing American writers to broaden their audience. Despite the dominance of British authors like Walter Scott and Charles Dickens through pirated editions, the American market for new works created opportunities for U.S. writers. Authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway were born in the late 19th century and would go on to reshape American literature in the early to mid-20th century.