New-York tribune., 1891-02-15
THE AUTHOR"
THE ORGAN OF THE WRITERS.
A STATEMENT AS To LITERARY PRoPEkIf-io
THIS MR. KIPLING's Work.

THIS MR. KIPLING'S WORK
The most sprightly and vigorous literary pel,oN
ical now existent is, without doubt, MI "al"l
Resant's "Authorr 1t is full of the force oil
burning conviction, lightened by many halie
of satire: and it brings to writers guaruiai anu
an advocate OF which throughout the history VI
authorship they have been sorely IN neeu' i"o
Author WAS founded to he the organ OF literary
men and women of all kinds-"the one paper "Aio"
will fully review, discuss and ventilate all queS
tions connected with The profession oi li'eI''"i
in all it's branches 1t is the Official organ Vi
the English Incorporated Society OF AuthorS anu
conducted by Walter Besant with sell-ucNo''o"
ybicb is unusual For much of the matter APP
nearing therein bears unmisakable evidence OF iii'
hand either as writer OF editor. and TINS IS "oiA
which does not provide the profits OF novei-"rlt-
inc The paper is in every sense independent
owing no spccal Difference to any other trace OF
nrofession and setting forth the faults ana loleS
of authors with perfect candor.
.Tbe Author thus states the position OF tne
society it represents: ,.o.
The chief aim Of the socety-tlis has been aAN d"''
again and agaln-7is TO promote the le0osniI' .hot
he fact hitherto most imperfecty understoou' '''t
literary property is as real thlhg as P'op"
every other kind of business that II shouid DC '"
Guarded in the same manner, and regarded WIN u'e
same Jealousy. .. o,or,v
utIerto the mere existence OF literary properly,
even in the face Of such potent facts as the enrcn
ment OF publishers, has been carefully cohceaie" anu
even denied Risks Of publishing, costs OF puph'hne
have been danged before the eyes OF authors 50 tna
they should regard the subject as one of eAttcHie
neril and pure speculation one can never even ho"
read a leading article about publishing without pelns
olemnly assured that the trade one in which ish
ul risks are constantly rum and that the success OF
any book Is pure speculaton'
Now as matter of fact, there is very little specu
atlon indeed in publishing, and there are very
very few publishers-ony the leading hon'es-"o e'o
run any risks at all either by buying books or by
brincnr ont books at a risk. Risks arc run when
4 house starts II magazine when 1t embarks on Il
mstrated editions Of expensive kind, or whcn
educational books published. The ordinary FISK
run in the production Of books Is, as RUE next 10
nothing For, first, the author is seldom PAID exccpt
by results: next, the author when house consents
TO take the risk is for the most part, one who com
mands a certain sale With the smaller houses books
about which there the slightest risk are always pau
for by the authors in adva11ce either wholly OF III
part. And very, very seldom indeed do the I'LL
advised authors who advance their money ever see
it back again.
Again, As to the actual cost OF production by
carefully keeping this profound secret lnterested
persons have succeeded in establishing a KIND OF
taboo as Of some holy, sacred thing, which must not
be 50 much touched. We have, however thor
oughly investigated the whole question, and are no"
in position to throw complete light upon the cost
of producing any kind Of book that can be Named III
any type and in any form
This /, very important step. us importance
cannot be overestmatcd 1t enables the author for
the very first time in the history OF literature 10
know what it Is he is asked TO concedc 70 the pub
Usher, and what it is he reserves for himself.
We have also done more; we have collected TO-
gcther vast amount Of information to publishers
ally Tn u af
meaning of the clauses contained In them. We have
asked why IS they ask the author To surrender ana
for whaJ consideration And we nave acquired
knowledge If various frauds, made possible by the
terms Of these agreements ia the different methods
Of publishing.
II must however be borne in mind very carefully
thn the society has not and never has had any
ouarrcl with honorable publishers. 1t has always
asked for one thing onlyust and honest treatment
fair and open agreements and honorable observance
of those agreements.
Tie following detailed statement Of the prn-
cipcS Of the society will be OF interest TO all |
authors:
Il have never yet had any Disagreement with my |
publisher" said a wellsnOwn man Of letter, the other
day. Therefore. / have not Joined the society,"
The remark and he Inference alike illustrate com
mon disposition 10 look on the society one which
exists Tor the purpose Of patching up or even Of
creating quarr.ls and grievances with publishers.
That is not the case. Of course, only ono - welngh
fred of repeating the fact. It suits certain persons
who regard Us with natural hostility 10 keep this
delu. ion alive The society has quarrel with pub |
fishers as such and never has had any. II maintains
continually thai the services which publishers render
10 literature are solid and must be substantially paid
Tor. The socicty exists. however mainly for the |
purpose Of maintaining he rights, the sacrdness and
the reality Of literary property Therefore IL fights
the battle of all authors and Should be supported BY
al who approve Of Is principles.
Briefly, they these:
Ol Literary property Is created by the author. and
belongs at the outset 10 him.
(2 Literary property must be held as sacred any
other Kind of property.
90 Literary property IS ruled by the demand for a
book Just colery property means the sale OF the
output. And the value Of collicry depends first
on the output in tons and the price. the value
Of a book only be estimated with reference TO the
number Of copies sold
( The author must not part with his property with
out due consideration without undcrst andng ex- |
acty what possibilities, well what certaintes, lie
gives and what he receives.
(5 What the author i, entitled to Is. after payment
" the cost Of production and publishers agency |
and labor all the remaining proceeds. This proportion
Of the returns is the property which he has to sell
for lump sum down, or TO receive year by year.
oGl The publisher has 10 Dc rcmuncrated for his |
agency and labor ont Of the returns OF the book in
a certain proportion which should be a fixed proportion
recognized by both contracting parties ana understood
by both.
Those principles have long been recognized by the
French after good tight. carried on by the socete
dcS Gems de lctrcs. an association OF which Is a
and an imitaor. But how. IL may be asked
II publishers will not agree to the adoption. for
all Of an equitable arrangement 1t is the task OF
the society To create such consensus of opinion on
the subject will all houses which de,irc to
,sDd tD fan in with ,h, .iefv'