known writers does not sell. The reason is plain. The manuscript is one that has been offered and failed; otherwise the author would not send it to a literary agent. I make it a rule to be strictly honest, and to tell the frank truth about every manuscript, to each and all alike. It is often hard to do so, as the truth is bitter at times, but I go rigidly on in my practice, and one of the best things my clients say of me is that I am brutally honest.'"

woman

Another literary agent writes: "Allow me to congratulate you on the article on Literary Agents in your November number. What the article says is excellent. My experience in this line has been varied and peculiar. How many times I have had my brain absolutely sucked by some would-be as a rule, a author, and then been calmly turned down with 'Well, I'll let you know,' which never comes to pass. One literary agent I know of charges two dollars for an interview, but I really haven't the nerve to do that, although I ought to, just as a doctor charges for a visit. I have made mistakes, I know, but clients have done me to rights' sometimes. As for paying clients directly one receives the money from editors, that is quite as it should be, but it works adversely sometimes. I once received a check for sixty dollars from a man who published a magazine in the West, for a story by one of my clients. I sent a check at once to my client for the amount received, with my commission deducted. In two weeks the publisher's check came back, dishonored. I told my client, who offered to return my payment. I declined to let him do that, and it cost me fifteen dollars to get that sixty dollars out of the western publisher, and I didn't get it until six months afterward."

If a capital letter is used in typewritten copy where it might not be naturally expected, it is well to put three lines, or three dots, under it in the copy, to show the compositor that the capital letter was not struck on the typewriter by mistake.

THE MANUSCRIPT MARKET.

[This information as to the present special needs of various periodicals comes directly from the edi

The editor of John Martin's Book (128 West Fifty-eighth street, New York) says that the magazine's public is the World in Little a world quite as real and worth while as that of the adult. The magazine recognizes in the child a rational human being to be talked with, not at or down to, and aims to preserve a truly friendly and companionable attitude toward him. John Martin's Book does not claim to be purely educational or didactic. The publishers are furnishing a magazine for children from three to ten years old, and all manuscripts are read with these four points in mind (1) Appeal to child; (2) Humor; (3) Influence; and (4) Structure. The demand of the magazine's public is for good stories that deal with its own world simply told. It needs nature tales, myths, fables, spirited material for small boys, fun that is funny and clean, and everything that will please and subtly instruct that most critical audience the child. The seven-year-old, the editor says, has not learned to dissemble or make allowances. He either likes you or he does not like you. The editorial requirements of John Martin's Book are for stories with a certain vital style, termed in grown-up parlance a "punch." They must be neither ordinary nor commonplace, and, though simple, must measure up to a definite standard of literary merit. Diction should be simple and within the comprehension of the average child; words need not be short, but must belong to everyday experiences. Sentences should not be longer than twenty words. "To take a breath once in a while gives thought and reason strength." Stories should be limited to eight hundred or a thousand words, as the editor finds that a child's attention is not held longer. Serials are seldom used, although exceptional stories that will break into three or four parts of eight hundred words each may be considered. The editor believes in the value of verse in the child's education mainly for its musical value. so a strict adherence to the rules of rhyme and meter is insisted on. He adds that good child verse is seldom poetry, and subjective

writing does not appeal to the average child. His files are now over-burdened with rhyme material, and verse must be unusual to be considered. Illustrations are made under the personal supervision of the editor, and submitted drawings are seldom bought. Babytalk; ideas of fear, death, and killing; and allusions to the "stork idea" are eliminated from the magazine, Seasonable material is welcome, but the magazine does not feature Santa Claus, preserving rather the Spirit of Christmas. Prices are arbitrary and regulated by the needs of the magazine. Payment is made on publication, the time of which is at the publishers' discretion.

The Musician, which is now published in New York, is in the market for articles on teaching helps in all branches of musical education.

The National Marine (New York) wants articles of popular interest on foreign trade, shipping, and allied subjects, news of new devices used in connection with navigation, news photographs pertaining to the sea, and photographs of ships and their sailors.

The Black Cat (Salem, Mass.) always has plenty of long stories on hand, but is in especial need of short, clever stories of business, adventure, humor, or love.

Robert E. Hewes, the assistant editor of Uncle Sam's Boy (Cincinnati), says that the American Cadets, Inc., of which organization Uncle Sam's Boy is the official organ, is based upon what it is pleased to call "The law of fifty-fifty," which is but a modern version of the Golden Rule, or the American spirit of equality among its citizens. In considering a story for the magazine, therefore, the adage of "the story for the story's sake " does not bear full weight. Uncle Sam's Boy has a mission to perform, and a message to deliver; and its stories must express this mission and message. The story used must have back of its plot an underlying theme of one of several qualities which the editors wish to teach. It may present a lesson in human helpfulness, self-reliance, thrift, discipline, service, loyalty, sacrifice, or patriotism, but, above all, practical Americanism. Any one or several of these qualities may be embodied in the story, which must not preach or moralize

too obviously, and the story interest must not be sacrificed. Uncle Sam's Boy is not distinctly a boys' publication. It is designed to appeal to grown-ups as well as youths. This does not mean that boys' stories are barred, but it does mean that the story designed primarily for boys is not what the editors are looking for. They want the boy story that has a grown-up appeal the plain tale of human interest which will emphasize the ideals of a better American citizenship. And the editors do not want war stories. They say the people have been satiated with them, and that, anyway, returning soldiers can tell greater stories of the conflict than fictioners may devise. They add that if writers who have them in mind will study their magazine, they will undoubtedly be better able to understand their needs. Any writer sufficiently interested to wish to write for the magazine may learn about the methods and objects of the American Cadets by writing for information to the National Headquarters, Room 907, Fitzgerald Building, Times Square, New York City.

Upton Sinclair's Magazine has been combined with the New Appeal, the Socialist paper, formerly the Appeal to Reason, published at Girard, Kansas. Mr. Sinclair says it was at the instance of the Appeal that he wrote "The Jungle," and that this arrangement with the paper, which, he says, has half a million readers, will give him a larger audience than he could ever get himself. He will write four columns in the Appeal each week.

Life (New York) is preparing a BoneDry Number and a Bolshevik Number.

Facts and Figures (Jacksonville, Florida ), a trade journal for wholesale grocers, especially of the Southern States, suggests to contributors that wholesale grocers are more than simply grocers, as one thinks of the term. Their problems are of carloads, contracts, and yearly supplies, rather than cases and community needs. They think and figure in big terms, and articles intended for their attention, therefore, should deal with business questions in a large way, and get to the point, just as if the writer had a good idea he was trying to sell his reader. Articles dealing with precise facts, avoiding generalities and vague notions on successful selling

campaigns; sales management; opening new territory; policies toward salesmen; shipping-room problems; traffic and transportation problems; truck deliveries; accounting; buying; selection and training of help; profit-sharing; credits; complaints; advertising; short interviews with conspicuously successful wholesalers, or manufacturers, giving their views on subjects of timely interest to the trade; and reports of state conventions of wholesale grocers, of local association activities, are desired. All statements should be verified and nothing left to guesswork, and "I think" and "it seems like " ideas cannot be tolerated. The editor does not want contributions from writers without special knowledge of the intricacies of big business. The fact that an article deals with the subject of foods does not mean that it will fit his need. Facts and Figures is not a food magazine but a business journal for wholesale grocers, and its contents must deal with the vital problems of the trade. Stories about the retail trade are not wanted, except where these stories have a distinct bearing on the wholesale trade.

The Parents Magazine (New York) is looking for some good general articles on child welfare, with illustrations.

The Gleaner has been combined with Michigan Business Farming (Mt. Clemens, Michigan ).

The Air Service Journal has removed to 22 East Seventeenth street, New York.

Shipmates has temporarily suspended publication, the October number having been the last number issued.

The American Cabinet Maker has changed its name to the Furniture Buyer and Docoritor (New York).

Engineering and Cement World changed its name January 1 to the Engineering World (Chicago).

The Committee Publishing Company (507 Fifth avenue, New York), which was incorporated in 1917, with Richard Fletcher as president, to publish the Chronicle, a very exclusive society magazine, has assigned for

the benefit of creditors. For twenty-one months the Chronicle was sold at one dollar a copy, and only to persons listed in the Social Register !

Air Travel (New York) has suspended publication.

The New World, first published in January of last year, is now the World Tomorrow.

The offer of the Lyric Society (1425 Grand Concourse, New York City), announced in the January WRITER, to award three prizes of $500 each for the best three books of poetry submitted before April 1, is subject to these conditions: It does not matter whether a book is ten or five hundred pages long it does matter that the book be new, pregnant with great beauty or a great message, and that it come up to the best American literary standards. Books must be unpublished, though it does not matter if parts have appeared in periodicals. By giving a poet a prize the Society buys the right to publish one edition of his book for its subscribers.

A prize of $1,000 for the best essay or monograph on any one of eight different economic subjects has been offered by the National Industrial Conference Board. The only persons barred from competing are those who are members of, or identified in any way with, the National Industrial Conference Board. No limit has been placed on the number of words in manuscripts submitted, but they should not be unduly expanded. Especial weight will be given to English and to skill in exposition. The copyright of the prize manuscript, with all publication rights, will be vested in the National Industrial Conference Board. Manuscripts must be mailed on or before July 1, 1919, to the National Industrial Conference Board, 15 Beacon street, Boston, marked "For Prize Essay Contest in Industrial Economics." The list of subjects for essays and details of the contest may be secured by addressing the Managing Director of the Board, Magnus W. Alexander.

Columbia University (New York) has issued a bulletin cataloguing awards and prizes

that are open for competition to the general public as well as alumni of Columbia. All correspondence in regard to the awards should be addressed to the secretary of Columbia University. Among the prizes offered is the Cartwright prize, which is awarded every two years for the best essay on any subject. The date of the next Cartwright award is June of this year.

The Philadelphia Record offers more than $1,000 in one hundred prizes, ranging from $100 down to $5, for the best war letter relating to an actual experience sent to the War Letter Editor of the Record before March 15. No restriction is made as to the number of words, but the Record will have no room for long stories, or inconsequential anecdotes. There is no restriction as to where the incident occurred. It may be in this country .or "over there." Nor does it matter if the incident came out of a letter written prior to this time. Any letter written by any soldier or sailor is eligible. Some of the best letters may have been written long ago; but in offering a letter of this sort the original letter and a legible copy must be submitted; and the prize, if won, goes to the soldier or sailor himself. Names and addresses must in every case accompany the letter, with the designation of the service to which the writer was attached at the time of the incident.

The Manuscript Society, of Philadelphia, offers a prize of $100 for a cantata on the subject of peace, open to all American composers. Full particulars may be obtained from the secretary, S. J. Riegel, 763 North Twentieth street, Philadelphia.

Physical Culture (New York) is offering seven prizes $500; $200; $100; and four of $50 each for Personal Efficiency stories. The editors want the best possible inspirational and self-help stories not exceeding 3,000 words on "How I Keep Fit." The contest will close June 1, and manuscripts should be addressed to 'Keep Fit" Contest Editor, Physical Culture Publishing Co., 119 West Fortieth street, New York. Stories that are especially interesting may be published in advance of the closing date of the contest, without affecting their eligibility for a prize.

45

In addition to the prizes, all letters published and not winning a prize will be paid for at the regular rate of a cent a word, and, according to their value, from one to two dollars each for photographs.

Physical Culture (New York) is going to cover the subject, Does Tobacco Really Hurt One?" in an early number of the magazine, and the editors wish to supplement this with personal-experience tobacco stories. "What Tobacco Did to Me," "How I Broke: the Tobacco Habit," "After I Divorced Lady Nicotine," are suggestive of the type of stories that they can use, paying for them at the regular rate of a cent a word. magazine is also offering prizes of $100, $60, and $40 for letters telling what physical culture has meant in home and family life.

The

Poetry (Chicago) announces a prize offer by S. King Russell, of New York. The prize is to be like a scholarship, a mark of distinction and encouragement, and with that understanding the editorial staff of Poetry will give Mr. Russell's prize of $100 to the young poet, comparatively unknown as yet, who in the staff's opinion, most deserves and needs. the stimulus of such an award. The poem must have appeared in Poetry, either during the current year or earlier, and the prize will be awarded next November, when the two prizes previously announced are awarded..

Willard Wattles, the Kansas soldier-poet, has allowed his Camp Funston verses to be collected in a small volume entitled "The Funston Double Track," for the purpose of establishing a poetry contest in Kansas. Proceeds from sales of the new book will provide a Kansas poetry prize.

Prize offers still open :

Two prizes of $25 each offered by A. Stone, for the best letter in favor of submitting manuscripts everywhere at one time and the best letter against the practice, submitted before May 1, 1919. Particulars in February WRITER.

Prizes of $15, $10, and $5 offered by the American Sunday School Union for the best, the second-best. and the third-best article, stimulating smaller Sunday schools to become bigger and better, offered by June 1. Particulars in February WRITER.

Prizes offered to Iowa College students by the Iowa Press and Authors' Club, $25 for the best short