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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE TO INTEREST AND HELP ALL LITERARY WORKERS.

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THE DAY

Louise Kennedy Mabie, 29

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Dorothy Mills,

30- Edith Ballinger Price, 30 Victor Star-
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LITERARY ARTICLES IN PERIODICALS
NEWS AND NOTES

THE STORY OF A STORY.

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I was going to write a story. Had I not always planned to write stories sometime? 1 suddenly realized that the years were slipping away altogether too fast, and that it was high time I began my literary career. To be sure, I had dabbled in verse all my life, but that did n't count. I must write stories, short ones at first, then, later on, books.

I can well remember, as a very small child, the feeling of awe and reverence I felt for the human being, whoever he was, who wrote the big Agricultural Reports over which my father sometimes pored. Was it possible that a being merely human could know so much? It seemed to me that the greatest attainment one could reach would be the writing of a book.

But to go back to my story. I would begin very simply. It would be better to begin with a plain little story, well told.

Of course, the Plot came first; that is, it should have come, but it did n't. I realized

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at once what a hard task it is to invent a Plot. I was n't going to find one; I would invent it. My mind was full of the most delightful characters, ready and eager to step into the story, but what should they do?

I finally realized I could not invent a Plot, so I decided to use some real experience as a basis for my story not any of my own experiences, oh, no, they must be reserved for the big Book of the future.

At last I hit upon something. The unhappy marriage of an acquaintance suggested the idea, and the whole plot came into my mind, full grown.

Once started, the story grew rapidly. In fact my only difficulty was in finding time to write the "surging thoughts" that came tumbling headlong into my mind. It was soon finished in its original form, scribbled on the back of old letters. The more prosaic task of copying neatly and carefully dragged, however; but even this was done, in time.

There it was, my beautiful first-born brainchild! How I loved it! What a thrill of pleasure the mere sight of those big sheets of paper brought me! I fairly fondled them.

I read it aloud to my family. While they did not rave over it, they pronounced it good. They even laughed in the right places. That was enough.

How simple it really was to write a story! Why had I not done it before?

I decided to send it to the biggest and best magazine in the country. The best was none too good. I mailed it, enclosing stamps for its return. This, of course, was a mere courtesy. It would not be returned.

I walked on air. Was I not a writer, expecting a big check soon, from my publishers?

I wondered how much the check would be. Some writers got a thousand dollars for a story. I did n't expect that, but still it was a pretty good story.. It contained only one impossible situation. (I hoped the editors would n't notice that.)

I would live very plainly and simply, I decided, even after I became rich, thus setting a good example to my less fortunate sisters. Being a writer really carried big responsibilities. Should I write exclusively for one magazine? No, I would be generous and patronize them all, even the small ones. The days sped by, while I lived in my golden dream.

One day I went to the postoffice, as usual. The postmaster handed me a long, bulky envelope. I forced a glad, eager look into my eyes, and a joyous tone to my voice, as I thanked him. I took the envelope with the air of one who has just received a fortune. That postmaster should never guess, but I knew that my story had been returned.

Since then it has traveled many miles and seen many strange faces, but has always safely returned to its loving parent. For some reason, no magazine has ever felt any need which my story could supply.

Never mind, the Big Thrill has been mine!
WEST MEDWAY, Mass.
Lessie M. Drown.

BAITING AN AUTHOR—I.

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zine. I will go over your Ms. carefully, edit it where necessary, type it in good form and then help you in the matter of placing it with a number of publications whom I know have purchased a similar type of Ms. in the past, if you will send me $1.25 to help cover the expense. When the Ms. is sold I would want a 10 per cent. commission to repay me, if over $20, but if less

than this all to go to you.

If you are interested in this arrangement, although it is a little out of the ordinary, I will proceed with your Ms. promptly on receipt of above, as I would be willing to share the expense with you for the sake of making a sale. Would appreciate you telling where this Ms. has been submitted and also lowest price you would consider, so that it would not be sold under this figure.

me

If this suggestion is not acceptable, I will return your Ms. at once. Kindly let me hear from you.

Sincerely,

H. A. Hobart, Mgr. Mss. Dept.

[ It will be noticed that Mr. Hobart delicately implies although he does not say SO that the manuscript may be sold for more than twenty dollars, in which case alone he would expect a ten per cent. commission, all the proceeds to go to the author if the manuscript brings less. In the latter case,

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[ It will be observed that the writer of the letter signed "The McLean Company," also writes "Ms.," and that his literary style is not unlike that of Mr. Hitchcock, whom he is addressing. It will be observed also that the McLean Company can use almost any. thing in the way of manuscripts, from a short poem to a great, big book. Editor THE WRITER.]

I was glad at that time to obtain publishers' addresses, as my acquaintances along this line were few, and I submitted some rhymes, entitled "A Jewel-decked Castle," to the McLean Company. June 11, I received this letter:

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Under the terms of this contract it is agreed that we will issue in attractive form your Ms. entitled A Jewel-Decked Castle to be priced at $.50, style and paper, designing, to be submitted to you, if desired, before using. The Ms. contains 42 lines; volume to be artistically printed, and illustrated.

2. It is understood that the copyright of the book is to be in the author's name and is to be secured by us, we paying all the expense of same.

3. We agree under this contract to render the following specific work and service on the production of the book, typesetting, paper, printing, designing, distribution of review copies, listing in the trade journals, advertising in magazines, cataloguing, advisable correspondence with book dealers and the production and distribution of the book according to the explicit provision for the production and for the special service comprised by this contract; announcement at the back of book at publisher's option (which will constitute our sole responsibility). We agree to the entire expense of subsequent necessary editions, during the existence of this contract, it being understood that the aggregate orders in such case must total 500 copies of the book in order to render this clause operative, it being understood that the contract runs for one year from date, renewable by mutual consent in writing.

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5. You are to receive 50 copies of your book free upon issue; also any additional up to 200 copies inclusive.

6. We will agree to pay and

account for to you on all of the copies sold by us a percentage of 40 per cent. on the first 1,000 copies; 45 per cent. for all copies up to and including 2,500 and 50 per cent. for all copies succeeding the disposal of 2,500 copies.

7. Statement of accounting of whatever royalties due to be rendered semi-annually but

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[ It should be observed that the manuscript which the McLean Company thinks of bringing out "in volume form" is described by Mr. McCorkendale as "some rhymes," and that the contract forwarded to him says: "The manuscript contains 42 lines." He is asked to pay one hundred dollars for bringing out a 42-line poem, illustrated, "in volume form." Obviously, if one thousand copies of the "volume" are sold at fifty cents apiece the author will get two hundred dollars, in addition to two hundred copies free, which he can perhaps sell for fifty cents apiece, and if two thousand, five hundred copies are sold, his profit will be proportionately greater. The statement of specific work and service," later described as "costly and expert special and specific service," to be rendered by the publishers, is quite impressive. Returns if any be prompt, since the contract runs only for "renewable by mutual consent in a year, writing." The subtle suggestion in paragraph 7 that the amount of royalties accruing in a six-months' period may exceed five hundred dollars would doubtless make an impression on an author. At the same time, it

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