Methods of Authors Part 9

GOODRICH,

Akron, Ohio.

THE WRITER'S LITERARY BUREAU

(Established in 1887)

gives frank and honest advice to writers of MSS. on any subject, sells MSS. on commission, revises MSS., makes typewritten copies if desired, and directs MSS. into their proper channels--fulfils, in short, every function required between author and editor or publisher. The Writer's Literary Bureau and its work are known in every publication office in the country. In the seven years of its existence the Bureau has acquired an enviable reputation for ability, honesty, promptness, painstaking, and trustworthy judgment. It refers to editors everywhere.

The number of writers who know where to find the _best_ market for their productions is exceedingly limited. Such a knowledge implies a long and familiar acquaintance with periodical literature.

A ma.n.u.script, to be acceptable, must fit the publication to which it is offered as a glove to the hand. If it does not, the editor will decline it as "unsuitable," usually adding that "this does not necessarily imply lack of merit."

It occasionally happens that an article, otherwise acceptable, is refused because at one or two points it fails to meet requirements.

The editor seldom cares to make necessary explanations in such cases, and therefore simply "begs leave to decline with thanks."

It was with a view to rendering much-needed a.s.sistance to authors in marketing their ma.n.u.scripts that The Writer's Literary Bureau was organized in September, 1887, under the management of a gentleman who for many years had been connected with one of our largest publishing houses. The enterprise has prospered and developed, until now the Bureau is prepared, and offers, to undertake every sort of work between author and publisher.

TO AUTHORS:

The Bureau offers to read ma.n.u.scripts and give (1) specific advice as to their disposal; (2) general advice based on the defects observed; (3) thorough grammatical and rhetorical revision; (4) one or more typewritten copies.

A charge for these services will be made as follows:--

(1.) For reading any ma.n.u.script containing not more than 2,000 words, and giving a list of the periodicals to which it is best suited, 50 cents; if the ma.n.u.script contains more than 2,000 words, 25 cents additional for each additional thousand words or fraction thereof will be charged; each short poem is regarded as a separate ma.n.u.script.

(2.) For a letter of general advice, 50 cents, _in addition to the fee for reading_.

(3.) For correction and revision of ma.n.u.scripts, at the rate of one dollar an hour.

(4.) For one typewriter copy of ma.n.u.script, at the rate of six cents a hundred words; for each other copy, two cents a hundred words. For dialect, or poetry, or other work of unusual difficulty, ten cents a hundred words. No ma.n.u.script copied for less than fifty cents.

--> For reading a book ma.n.u.script containing more than 40,000 words, and less than 100,000 words, and giving a list of publishers and a general letter of advice, the fee is ten dollars, in advance.

The payment for service (1) is essential _in the case of every ma.n.u.script sent_, but the selection of services (2), (3), and (4) is optional with the sender. _In other words, no ma.n.u.script sent to the Bureau for any purpose whatever will be examined unless the ma.n.u.script is accompanied by the fee for reading._ Services (2) and (4) will not be performed without the fees in hand.

In addition, postage should be enclosed for return of the ma.n.u.script to the author. If the author so directs, _and encloses double postage_, the Bureau will send the ma.n.u.script to the publisher most likely to buy it, with directions if the ma.n.u.script is declined to return it to the author. In either case, a list of periodicals to which it is best suited will be sent to the author direct.

TO PUBLISHERS:

The Bureau offers a great variety of ma.n.u.scripts, especially in the line of fiction. The Bureau not only has very many ma.n.u.scripts constantly going through its hands, but is in connection with skilled writers in all lines, and can secure ma.n.u.scripts of any sort at short notice.

MSS. SOLD ON COMMISSION.

In consequence of many urgent requests, the Bureau has opened a commission department, and will undertake the sale of ma.n.u.scripts, when desired, on the following terms: Every ma.n.u.script must be submitted in the regular way, and accompanied by the fees for reading. If the author wishes the Bureau to act as selling agent, and the ma.n.u.script is found to be worth work in that line, the author will be required to make a postage deposit of an amount sufficient to pay the cost of mailing the ma.n.u.script to and from six or seven publishers, with an additional charge of ten cents for each time that the ma.n.u.script is sent out, to cover expense of registration, stationery, etc. When the ma.n.u.script is sold, any unexpended balance of the postage deposit will be returned to the author, together with 75 per cent. of the amount received from the publisher, the Bureau retaining 25 per cent. as its commission. The Bureau will not a.s.sume responsibility for loss or damage during handling or transmission of ma.n.u.scripts, or for the failure of publishers to make payment, but every precaution will be taken to prevent loss. Address:--

THE WRITER'S LITERARY BUREAU, 282 Washington st. (Rooms 9 and 10), P. O. Box 1905. Boston, Ma.s.s.

WRITING FOR THE PRESS:

=A Manual for Editors, Reporters, Correspondents, and Printers.= By ROBERT LUCE. Fourth edition (seventh thousand); revised and greatly enlarged. 96 pp. Cloth, $1.00.

"Writing for the Press" is a practical handbook of the art of newspaper writing, written by a practical newspaper man. There is no "padding" in it; almost every line contains a useful hint or suggestion about the proper preparation of newspaper "copy," and a wonderful amount of information of use to writers is crowded into its carefully-written pages. The work is the result of the practical experience of the author as desk editor on the _Boston Globe_, and was written in the main from notes made while handling MS. there and elsewhere.

Four editions of "Writing for the Press" have been required. For each edition the work has been revised and enlarged, so that it has grown from forty-two to ninety-six pages,--yet, it is believed, without the addition of a useless sentence. New matter has been added partly to make the book more useful to newspaper writers, and partly to bring within its scope all other writers. Therefore, those who bought copies of earlier editions will find it desirable to buy copies of the fourth edition as well.

That literary workers of every cla.s.s will find "Writing for the Press"

exceedingly helpful, both for study and for reference, is shown by these subject-headings: The Preparation of Copy; How to Write Clearly; Grammar, Good and Bad; Use and Misuse of Common Words and Phrases (with several hundred examples); Mixed Metaphors; Slang; The Use of t.i.tles; Puzzling Plurals; Condensation; Points on Proof-reading; Addressing Editors; Getting into Print, etc. The book is one that every writer should keep upon his desk for constant reference and study.

Newspaper editors, who are naturally the best judges of the value of such a work, all commend Mr. Luce's book. For instance, the _Boston Advertiser_ says of it: "It is a remarkably compact and useful little manual, full of the wisest and most practical suggestions in regard to the mechanical requirements for the proper preparation of ma.n.u.script; the right use of doubtful and frequently misused words; punctuation; matters of style; and errors of arrangement." The _Critic_ says: "It is full of sound advice and practical suggestions."

Quant.i.ties of the book have been bought by the managers of leading daily newspapers for distribution among their editors, reporters, and correspondents,--among others by the _Boston Herald_, _Globe_, _Journal_, and _Transcript_, the _New York World_, and the _Chicago News_. Special rates will be made to newspaper managers on quant.i.ties for distribution in this way.

The new edition of "Writing for the Press" is handsomely bound in cloth, and will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of price, ONE DOLLAR. Address:--

THE WRITER PUBLISHING CO., P. O. Box 1905, Boston, Ma.s.s.