I am looking forward to this book too. According to the introduction in the Oxford World's Classics edition, his publishers (John & Francis Newberry) held on to the manuscript for 3 1/2 years before printing it. The reason for delay is suspected to be that they waited until Goldsmith had established a reputation, such as through his poetry, allowing the manuscript to make more money.
How the manuscript found its way to be published is a story of some myth and variation. Although what is consistent is Goldsmith was monetarily motivated. One such account appeared in James Boswell's
Life of Samuel Johnson.
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I received one morning a message from poor Goldsmith that he was in great distress, and, as it was not in his power to come to me, begging that I would come to him as soon as possible. I sent him a guinea, and promised to come to him directly. I accordingly went as soon as I was drest, and found that his landlady had arrested him for his rent, at which he was in a violent passion. I perceived that he had already changed my guinea, and had got a bottle Madeira and a glass before him. I put the cork into the bottle, desired he would be calm, and began to talk to him of the means by which he might be extricated. He then told me that he had a novel ready for the press, which he produced to me. I looked into it, and saw its merit; told the landlady I should soon return, and having gone to a bookseller, sold it for sixty pounds. I borught Goldsmith the money, and he discharged his rent, not without rating his landlady in a high tone for having used him so ill.
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