Four chapters of Michael Chabon’s failed and unpublished novel Fountain City are set to be released in the next issue of McSweeney’s, Media Bistro’s GalleyCat reports.

The book, which was supposed to be Chabon’s follow up to 1988’s Mysteries of Pittsburgh, is described in a preface by Chabon as having been written by “a poetically sad young man who apprenticed himself to a visionary, postmodern architect.” After spending years on the book, which hit four-digit page lengths, Chabon finally abandoned it and turned the experience writing it into what actually became his second novel, 1995’s Wonder Boys.

McSweeney’s is publishing the first four chapters, just 93 pages of what GalleyCat says became a 1,500 page book. Chabon had previously published the first chapter on his Web site, but he took it down a few years ago following a revamp. McSweeney’s No. 36 is available Dec. 7.

Michael Chabon has won the 2009 Scripter Literary Achievement Award.

The prize, established in 2007, honors writers “who have made a significant and lasting impact on the art of cinematic adaptation,” according to a press release released Tuesday. At the ceremony Jan. 30, the Friends of USC Libraries will also award the prize for best film adaptation of a book or novella, which has been awarded since 1988.

“I am delighted to have been singled out for this honor,” Chabon said in a statement. “I consider myself fortunate to be able to share in the great tradition that the Scripter Award both recognizes and exemplifies.”

Steven Zaillian, screenwriter of Gangs of New York and Schindler’s List, won the first achievement award last year. Chabon previously won the 2001 Scripter Award for the screen adaptation of Wonder Boys.