[A literary agent cannot afford to handle manuscripts on commission without charging a reading fee, excepting in the case of writers whose work is so well known that he can be reasonably sure that any manuscripts they send him will be salable. Manuscripts sent to him by other writers may be salable, and often are, but he cannot afford to spend the time required to sift out the good ones without being paid for it, and it would not be just to have the payment for his time spent unprofitably in examining poor manuscripts come from the returns from the sale of the manuscripts which he finds are good. That would be taking money from good writers to pay for work done for the poor

ones.

The money paid to a good literary agent for a reading fee is not wasted although the manuscript may not be sold, if the agent gives the writer a conscientious letter of criticism and advice. Sometimes, with such advice, an unsuccessful writer may be developed into a successful one, and, if that is impossible, and the unsuccessful writer is told that he is not likely to succeed in literary work, he may easily save in the cost of postage stamps not to mention disappointments more than he pays the literary agent for a reading fee.

Obviously, if none of the manuscripts on which thirty-five dollars was spent for reading fees was sold, the literary agents could not have afforded to handle them on commission without a reading fee. The fault must

My copy of THE WRITER for this month did n't come. Of course, I can live without THE WRITER, but I cannot sell without it. For two years I have been placing material with an agent, and in that time sold one article to a woman's paper; since I have taken my work into my own hands and have used "The Writer's Directory of Periodicals" in the magazine I have sold one short story and five articles, all within six weeks. Can you see why I get peevish when I miss a copy? I'd rather do without all my Christmas presents than forego one issue of THE WRITER.

NEW YORK, N. Y.

66

K. B. E.

Perhaps other writers might be interested to know how my husband and I use THE WRITER, which we find very helpful. We have a set of cards in a box to fit. We bought it as a recipe card catalogue box." On the cards, in the upper left-hand corner, we paste slips cut from "The Writer's Directory of Periodicals," giving information about any publications that we think might possibly use our manuscripts. In addition, all the information that appears from month to month throughout the body of THE WRITER concerning each of these magazines is cut out and pasted to its card. On the backs of the cards we write the names of manuscripts sent to the different magazines, with the date of sending, simultaneously writing the name of the magazine and date of sending in each case on the duplicate manuscript. With the cards kept in alphabetical order, we have a ready-reference box of information, easy to use and taking up a minimum of space. Moreover, in mulling over the cards as we add new data, we often get suggestions of markets which might not

[This information as to the present special needs of various periodicals comes directly from the editors. Particulars as to conditions of prize offers should be sought from those offering the prizes. For full addresses of periodicals mentioned, see "The Writer's Directory of Periodicals." ]

The publishers of the Black Cat (229 West 28th street, New York) announce a $5,000 prize story contest for original action stories of present-day life, full particulars regarding which are given in the January number of the magazine. They will pay immediately for all stories submitted that are found available for publication, making this provision because they recognize the fact that many writers do not wish to tie up marketable material for the length of time required to make the awards in a prize contest. Publication of prize entries will begin before the closing date of the contest. Writers should read the contest conditions carefully before submitting stories.

Judge (New York) is very anxious to get short jokes and poems that do not sound machine-made, as well as articles of from 200 to 500 words, the terser the better. The magazine can also use quips, and short stories up to 1,200 words in length.

The Boys World (Elgin, Ill.) is in need of articles, with or without photographs or drawings, giving information on popular science, scientific experiments, recent inven

tions, marvelous construction work, modern industries, strange mishaps, exploration, and adventure feats; also articles, with or without photographs or drawings, giving accounts of athletics, outdoor sports, handicrafts, hobbies, earning money, and kindred subjects, telling how these things are done.

The Church School, the combined product of the Congregational Society and the Methodist Episcopal Church, superseded the Pilgrim Magazine, beginning with the October number of last year. The magazine is published by the Pilgrim Press (Boston), which also publishes Boyland, a Sunday school paper for boys, Firelight, for girls, and the Mayflower, for the little ones.

Aladdin's Weekly, the magazine published by the Aladdin Company (Bay City, Mich.), manufacturers of Aladdin "readi-cut" homes, wants some short stories with the value of home ownership accentuated. The publishers are going to issue a number of special editions during 1920, and offer prizes of fifteen dollars, ten dollars, five dollars, and two dollars for each other manuscript accepted, on the subject, "Back to the Farm." Articles or stories, containing about 500 words, should deal with the benefits of life on a farm, and what advantages such life has over city life, particularly to the young folks of the farm who are wont to leave their homes and seek their fortunes in the city. Statements should be straightforward and virile, and the place a home on a farm occupies and its tendency to keep young folks on the farm should be accentuated. Sentiment and human interest should be used to the fullest extent, and manuscripts may deal with such questions as "Do you think better buildings, farmhouses, garages, barns, etc., would help to keep the young folks on the farm?" or "Would an automobile making it possible for them to attend the 'movie' show in town and get home the same evening make farm life more attractive?" "Are you of the opinion that the young man of today has better opportunities on the farm than in the city?" "What about the bright lights of the city and their tendency to interfere with his progress ?" "What of living and health conditions on the farm as compared to those of the city?"

The contest will close January 15, but all copy dated or postmarked up to midnight of that date will be considered. Manuscripts should be sent to the editor of Aladdin's Weekly, Bay City, Michigan. The publishers offer a second contest, with the same prizes and closing at the same time, on "Preference for a Small Town."

The Universal Lyceum and Book Agency (1114 McGee street, Kansas City, Missouri) is in need of material for dialogues, monologues, dramatic or musical comedies, and vaudeville sketches. Dr. Belle S. Mooney, the Director of the Agency, says that never before has the demand for good platform material been so great, and that the author who can produce good comedy sketches, requiring from fifteen to thirty minutes, has an eager market awaiting him. The Agency will pay the usual market price for such material as it can use, but it will not undertake to return unavailable material, unless return postage be enclosed.

Travel (New York) will be glad to receive unusual pictures of unusual objects seen in traveling, with 200-word descriptions, and well written descriptive articles about remote places, containing local color and vivid interest, accompanied by clear photographs.

Navy Life (Norfolk) is in need of some serious articles on the merchant marine, and would also like a good fiction serial based on naval aviation.

Harper's Bazar (New York) is in the market for sophisticated stories of timely interest and real literary merit, of from 3,000 to 7,500 words. Photographs of people, places, and houses are always wanted, and live articles are in demand; but poetry is rarely used, and no jokes, plays, novelettes, or juvenile stories are ever bought.

With the war at an end, the Scientific American (New York) has returned to its customary policy of giving the technical news of the day. Of late the magazine has been leaning rather heavily toward industrial subjects, because it has developed into an executive magazine, read by business men to obtain a bird's-eye view of what is taking

place in all fields of industry and applied science. The magazine is always in the market for articles describing new and interesting inventions, new engineering projects, new discoveries in science, and articles dealing with any form of applied science. Acceptance of manuscripts is prompt, remuneration is high, and payment is made immediately.

The Nautilus Magazine (Holyoke, Mass.) would like some experiences and lessons in applied New Thought.

The National Builder (Chicago) wants interviews with builders, and accounts of what they are doing.

Adventure (New York) has no particular need at present, but it is always in the market for short stories within its field.

The Occident is a literary, art, and commentary magazine published by the University of California, its purpose being to make a literary and artistic rallying ground for all who have had any direct connection with the University. The magazine is incorporated as a non-profit-making business in the State of California, and is in the thirtyeighth year of publication. Short stories (less than 3,000 words); verse; one-act plays; and brief opinions on art, literature, politics, music, drama, and social conditions are wanted. Interesting travelogues and spicy essays are always welcome, and the kind of material that other magazines will not use because of its unconventional form, oddity, or independence of opinion is especially desired. No remuneration is made, but all material used is copyrighted.

The Marine Journal (New York) is not in need of contributions at present.

The Hoosier Farmer (Indianapolis) is at present receiving all the news it can use from Indiana farmers.

The Illustrated Daily News, published by the News Syndicate Company (New York) has abbreviated its name to the News.

The Mississippi Valley Farm News and the Quincy Record have been consolidated un

der the name of the Adams County Farmer, published at Quincy, Illinois. Perry C. Ellis is the managing editor.

The Unpartizan Review (New York) will be published as a bi-monthly, beginning with the January-February number.

McClure's Magazine, established by S. S. McClure in 1893, has been purchased by Herbert Kaufman, editor and author. Frederick L. Collins, president of the McClure Publications, Inc., who will continue his association with the magazine, says: "The change of stock ownership which accompanied Mr. Kaufman's assumption of editorial control means a decided strengthening of the magazine financially and in personnel. No change is contemplated in the present staff."

Thomas Bucklin Wells, for seventeen years associate editor of Harper's Magazine, has been made editor of the magazine, with Lee Foster Hartman as associate editor. As the editor of Harper's, which was founded in 1850, Mr. Wells has had only three predecessors, Henry J. Raymond, Dr. Alfred H. Guernsey, and Henry Mills Alden, who was editor-in-chief of the magazine from 1869 until his recent death.

Rev. Charles M. Sheldon has become the editor of the Christian Herald (New York).

Motor, a national automobile trade journai, published in New York before the printers' strike by the International Publishing Company, will hereafter be published in Minneapolis.

The Musical Courier says that Italo Montemezzi, the composer of "The Love of Three Kings" and other operas, who will be in this country soon to oversee the production of his new work, "La Nave," has been for some time anxious to secure a good libretto in English, and adds that this is a fact, not merely the statement of a press agent.

The December number of American Motherhood is the last number of that magazine. Subscribers will receive Today's Housewife in its stead, and some of the features of

The Woman's Magazine (New York) offers prizes of $25, $15, and $10 for opinions. on an article, entitled "No Wedding Bells for Me." The magazine also offers a Children's Christmas Contest, where each contestant will receive a little set of books, and, in addition, three sets of prizes of five dollars, three dollars, and two dollars for the best Christmas. Letters, Christmas Poems, and Christmas Drawings. Both contests will close January 20.

Judge (New York) is going to hold a College Wits Contest, to be run on the same principles as an intercollegiate track meet. Pictures, poems, articles, and jokes from undergraduates of all colleges are invited as entries. All material accepted will be published in a special College Wits Contest number of Judge, to appear March 6. Each contribution published will bear the name, class, and college of the contributor, and will score for his or her alma mater. The best picture and the best text contribution will each win a silver cup. The college making the best

London has a new literary magazine, called the London Mercury and edited by J. C. Squire ("Solomon Eagle"), which will try to meet all the wants of that public which is interested in books. Mr. Squire says: "We shall attempt to make known the best that is being done, and, as far as literature is concerned, to assist the process by the publication of original work. The functions of the Mercury, as its conductors conceive them, will include - and this will be the chief of them the examination of those conditions which in the past have favored, and in the future are likely to favor, the production of artistic work of the first order, and the formulation and application of sound critical standards." The first number published was that for November, and the address of the magazine is Windsor House, Bream's Building, London, E. C., 4, England.

Mrs. Grace Porterfield Polk, of Greenfield, Indiana, heartily disagrees with those who claim that American song composers will never add to musical literature such great songs as the composers of other countries have done, and to make it possible for young composers with high ideals to be in a position to work out those ideals, she plans to co-operate with the music clubs and educational institutions all over the land, one state after the other, and systematically lay the foundation for such funds as will be available for the holding of song composers' contests, composers still unknown, who through fair competition will have an opportunity to have their songs published and properly advertised. This fund will become permanent, so that the good work may be continued year after year. Mrs. Polk will endeavor to arrange for song composers' conventions in Greenwood, where

all the interests of the song composer and of the great, growing national musical life may be discussed from every angle, and where the young composer may meet his seniors in the art, so that a mutually beneficial exchange of views may take place between the song composers of the land at least once a year.

To interest the people of the country, and particularly the young people, in Republican activities, Truxton Beale, formerly United States minister to Persia, offers through the Republican National Committee cash prizes aggregating $10,000 for the best suggestions for a platform for the next Republican national convention submitted by American young men and women not more than twenty-five years old. There will be three prizes. awarded, $6,000 for the best manuscript received, $3,000 for the second-best, and $1,000for the third-best. Manuscripts are limited to 6,000 words and must be addressed to Walker Blaine Beale Contest, Division of Young Voters, Republican National Committee, 923 Woodward Building, Washington, D. C. Four typewritten copies must be submitted, only one of the number being signed. The contest will close March 31. Mr. Beale, in a letter to Chairman Hays of the Republican National Committee, says: "A political platform would surely have more clearness if thought out in the libraries. and studies of the scholars of the country than in the turmoil and noise of a political convention. There never has been a time when the two great parties have differed so fundamentally in principle as now, differences that go to the very foundation of society; never a time when so many brands of quack medicine have been so energetically hawked about as cures for the distempers of the state; and therefore never a time when an honest platform and straight thinking, holding out no false hopes and promising no short cuts to the millennium, are more important than now." The North American Review has been given the right of first publication of any manuscripts.

The American Economic Association announces the E. A. Karelsen prizes of $1,000 and $500 for the most meritorious papers on