The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-04-13
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A SALABLE BOOK.

hen had finished my curSOry eXam-
nation of the manuscript, | laid it down on
the table and shaking my head said:
Liam sorry to disappoint you, old fell
low, but should most strongly advise you
not to try any publisher with this story. I
don't think that there is the slightest
chance of its being accepted anywhere. At
the same time | must say that for first
attempt it does you great credit, and GER
tainly if you stick to your work you will be
able to produce something that will be
successful
tell you that book is going to be the
biggest success of the year, answered Mar
tin Ross, in whose rooms in the Middle
Temple we were sitting,
We had been at Oxford together and had
gone down about the same time, | to take
my place on newspaper and Ross to try
his fortune in the city. Although undoubt-
eddy sharp, he had succeeded in nothing,
and had been under the impression that
he had emigrated, when that afternoon
met him in the Strand, and he told me that
he had written novel which was to make
his fortune.
1t was at his invitation that had accom-
panied him home to look over the manu-
script in question.
1t was very poor story, slovenly and
;lmateurish in style and vulgar beyond
criticism. | felt sorry to have to discourage
him, but it was only friendly on my part
to do so. | accordingly repeated, in answer
to his remark, 81 am quite certain that no
London publisher would undertake that
book, though | am sorry to say So"
He laughed and said: 81 never said
that | should offer it to any publisher. am
not such fool. | want all the profits my
self. Why should put the lions share of
them into publishers pockets? There
are thousands in that book, and Pm going
TO publish it mysef-that is to say, at my
own expense-and shall put it into the
hands of one of those firms who publish on
commission"
"NIy dear fellow" cried, edo let your
self he guided by me and don't spend any
money on printing that book. | don't be-
licve that a hundred copies of it would be
sold"
"No not hundred, " he answered con
il.nt1Nr bttnlral Thousand iG
the mark, though | expect the sale to 30
much higher than that. | tell you that
am to make fortune. out of that book tina
/ have struck oil this time, and richly"
'But the style" urged.
''Oh, | know that the style isn't up to
much,n he answered. "I'm no hand at
literature and, as matter of fact, | took
the least possible trouble over writing this
book. | dashed it off on the typewriter in
less than week. But it isn't on its merits
as a work of art that this book is going to
SELL"
'Well, on what, then? ! asked.
"Why does So-and-so's pill and So-and-
SOS soap sell? Because they are well adj
vertised and accordingly will sell"
~ fear you will have to spend a very
large sum of money to advertise that book
into snccess," | remarked
81 know exactly what | shall have to
spend. SiXpence halfpenny per dozen
copies or little over halfpenny on each
copy Each halfpenny and fraction so spent
will sell a copy. The book will be produced
as cheaply as possible, and | calculate the
cost to me at about two-pence. Say that,
with the advertising, each copy cost me
threepence, which is above the mark, you
may calculate what my profits will be on
sale of even 100, 600 copies"
"You have hit on some novel mode of
advertising the book, then %
"You bet. The whole reason of my con-
tidence in my success of this shocker is
there"
"Would you mind telling what your
plan is?"
"Well, if you won't mind, I'd rather
not" he answered. 'Yon see, ! can't
afford to give away the idea. You might
talk about it, and then some other fellow
might snap it up. Don't be offended and
just watch the sales of A Disgrace to So
ciety'-that is the title | have decided
upon. They will make you open your
eyes"
every we'll, just as you please" said
rather coldly, rising to take my departure.
did not see Ross again for some weeks,
for though called once Or twice at his
rooms in the Temple, always found his
oak sported. One day the inner door hap
pened to be open and through the letter
split | could see into his sitting ROOM
There were six young ladies seated at a
large table busily writing, and in front of
each was a high pile of cards. Two large
baskets, filled with similar cards, stood on
the floor.
Business taking me abroad, | was not
present at the birth of the book on which
my friend had built such hopes, and,
though looked in the London papers, !
found neither advertisement nor mention of
- I woS tbarafore "a thor curpriSad ,uban