Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-10-12

How Publishers Dispose Of MOST ~ tno
WORKS Submitted 70 Them.
/ OF the vast multitude Of manuscripts
offered TO book publishers every yaar.
/ probably seventy-fye per cent, arc
worthless, 81. at least, are rot worthy
Of publication in book FORM II i
astonishing how many people there are
in the world who imagine they arc
capable Of writing book. It II still
more astonishing how few ever dis
cover the truth Of the matter. and 40
knowledge themselves mistaken. Even
though their manuscripts may have
besn rejected by half a score Of pub
fishers, they go down to their graves
believing themselves the victims Of
base conspiracy to crush aspiring
genius. Such loyal self-confdence
were alrnost sublime were il not 50
/. ridiculous.
There seems to be a widespread be-
lief among would-be authors that pub
, fishers are their natural enemies, and
they take q peculiar, not TO say fiendish,
! delight in rejecting manuscripts aud
crushing the hopes of those wh0
aspire to the h0nors Of authorship
III This is an altogether mistaken idea
Publishers are human. like the rest Of
US. They follow the business tor the
money there is In it, and they are
I quick to take up good thing whom
I they have the opportunity. Nothing
pleases a publisher more than 20
! secure really valuable book for pub
LEGATION, especially If he thinks it viii
!. sell well. He is glad to recognize tho
\ ability Of the author, though the latter
d may be utterly unknown to fame, for
!, henceforth their interests are mutual,
= 50 far as that book il concerned
Neither viii the author have any diff
- Guilty in securing recognition from
Il other literary men. There il no
Il charmed circle in literature which
+ an author of genuine merit may not
lie enter.
Publishers are generally correct in
n their Judgment of manuscripts. Long
ID experience enables them to see their
IL merits or dement's almost at a glance
- A page here and there will give them q
se key to the general style and character
n Of the work and will reveal to them
faults the existence of which the writer
r has never even suspected. The manu-
e. script is returned with a polite note
st ..regretting that the present depressed
I'd state of the book trade compeis us to de-
is cline It's publication, etc. This, with q
few words commenting the good points
in of the book fif there are any serves
rel to sugar-coat the bitter pill of disap-
dc poinsment. Pubiishersare kind hearted
er as a rule, though their kindness is not
IS. always appreciated In rejecting an
&c unworthy book the publisher does the
or author a real favor, though the latter
ms seldom has the perception to see it or
g the rnanliness to acknowledge it. What
Ter greater favor can one man do another
rs. than to prevent his making fool Of
Ith himself before the public? Very often
mans best friends are those who
ne save him from himself over his OWE
tai protest.
AL There are two essential points il
the writing q successful book-the write
ias. must have something to tell and h,
the must know how to tell it. As to tn
$ first. of course every one who under
no takes to write book thinks he ha
RS something worth telling. Nine time
In ten this Is not true; and this mistai
on the part of authors accounts Ia
large measure for the failure OF s
MANY books When the book fails I
command the attention and respect {
ing the reading puolc' II = Useless TOT u
,itb writer TO rail at the public for the fault
pretty sure to lie at his own door. Tn
ar. man who has something worth teilin
f,-l and knows how to tell it is sure Of a
ais audience.
A great deal depends on this secon
,lth point-knowing how to tell q thin:
,r,,- There is certain tact in the Use
ia language that is indispensable. Usual
NIB this tact is gained only by years of e,
side perience, and by many it is nevt
gained at all. Very few people hay
g In 1t intuitively. This tact teaches VIII.
the not to say as well as what to say
ike, is q valuable accomplishments be alb
the to express ones thoughts both brief
,op- and clearly The gods favor but fe
mortals thus.
e OF There is no royal road 10 suceessf
asa. authorship. unless one is born kir
the that is to say, d genius. Is 1t az
mad wonder that so many aspirants fail
tied secure the coveted recognition fro
publishers
Ser- Unless you are very confident III
IN you have something OF great inpor
asoi anee to tell, and that you know no
rider to tell ii. don't tempt the fates by pu
IS OF ting Your ideas between the covers
an 4 book.
by s'If man could be sure
the That his life would endure
AT least for a thousand years"
. III you might possibly live to get over t
n.,- disappointment; otherwise, not.-IH'
u.s. andpoils Sentinel.
the A California paper relates that
e Is train was pulling out from Saida
svel Wild steer rushed upon the engine Il
II moment later was lifted by the co
! de- catcher and landed squarely on t
late- platform. The steer hooked the hes
pen light into pieces and then climbed
'a'ed top OF the locomotive. 1t fool
aines awhile with the bell. and then tried
OF 'tl3t loose the whistle The engine