Burns, who had recently been inundated by a swarm of untalented imitators, was initially wary, but he later assisted Mrs Dunlop in publishing Little's poetry.
She was employed by Frances Dunlop's daughter in the estate's dairy whilst she rented Loudoun Castle near Galston in the Irvine Valley.
She published a small volume of her poems in 1792 'The Poetical Works of Janet Little, The Scotch Milkmaid' that, unlike others such as John Lapraik and David Sillar, was a financial success with an impressive list of subscribers, thanks to Frances.
[4] James Paterson who wrote a short biography of her in 1840 describes her as "a very tall masculine woman, with dark hair, and features somewhat coarse".
Your favour and friendship; yet, hoping you will show yourself possessed of as much generosity and good nature as will prevent your exposing what may justly be found liable to censure in this measure, I shall take the liberty to subscribe myself.