Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-07-12
A SALABLE BOOK.

animation Of tho manuscripts, l laid IL
down n'tho table and shaking my bead
uaid,
"Iam sorry TO disappoint yoA old fell
low, bat / should most strongly 1dvts9
you not to try any publisher with this
story. I don't think TINT there Is the
uliEhtest chance Of its being accepted
anywhere At the same time I must say
that for q first attempt II docs you great
credit and certainly IL you stick to your
work you will soon be able 10 produce
something that will be successful"
tell you that that book is going to
be the biggest success Of the year, " an
swered Martin Ross, in whose rooms in
the Middle Temple we were sitting.
We had been at Oxford together and
bad gone down about the same time, / to
take my place on a newspaper and Ross
70 try his fortune in the city. Although
undoubtedly sharp, he had succeeded in
nothing, and / had been under the inn
preston that he had emigrated, when
that afternoon l met him in the Strand,
and he told me that he had written a
novel which was to make his fortunes
Il was at his invitation that l had
accompanied him home to look over the
manuscript in question.
IL was q very poor story, slovenly and
Amateurish In style and vulgar beyond
criticism. / felt sorry to have to dis
courage him, but it was only friendly
ON my part to do 10. accordingly re-
peated, in answer to his remark, "I am
quite certain that no London publisher
would undertake that book, though / am
sorry to say So"
He laughed and said; '"I " said
that / should offer it to any publisher.
/ am not such a fool. / want all the
profits myself. Why should 1 put the
lions share Of them into a publishers
pockets? There are thousands in that
book, and I'm going topublish it myself
that is to say, at my own expense
and / shall put it into the hands of one
Of those firms who publish ON commits.
sion"
"My dear fellow, " l cried, edo lei
yourself be guided by me and DOM spend
any money on printing that book ]
don't believe that hundred copies Of II
would be sold"
"No, not a hundred" he answered
confidently. "a hundred thousand is
nearer the mark, though 1 expect the
sale to 90 much higher than that. l tell
voc that 1 am to make my fortune out
Of that book; that l have struck oil this
time. and richly"
But the STYLE, " / urged.
"Oh, / know that the style isn't up to
much, " no answered I'm no hand at
literature, and, as a matter Of fact, ]
took the least possible trouble over writ
ing this book. l dashed it of on the
typewriter in less than a week But it
isn't on its merits as a work Of art that
this book is going to SELL"
well as what, them" / asked.
"Why does So and-so's pill and So
and-so's eoap sell2 Because they are
we'll advertised. Well, my books going
to be well advertised and accordingly
will sell"
IT fear you will have to spond a very
large sum Of money to advertise that
book into success, " l remarked.
IT know exactly what l shall have &c
spend. Sixpence halfpenny per dozen
copies. or q little oven a h~alfpenny on
each copy. Each halfpenny and fraction
so spent will sell a copy. The book will
be produced as cheaply as possible, and
I calculate the cost to me at about two
pence Say that. with the advertising,
each copy cost me threepence, which il
above tho mark, you may calculate whai
my profits will be on a sale OF even 100,
900 copies"
you have hit ON some novel mode
OF advertising the book, then?"
"You beti The whole reason Of my
confidence in my success Of this shookel
is there"
Would you mind telling what you
plan ISL"
"Well IL you won't mind, I'd rather
not. no answered. you see. I can
afford to give away the idea. You NIGH
talk about 1t. aud then some other fel
low might snap IL up. Don't be offend
cd and just watch the sales Of "A Dis.
grace to Society .that is the title
have decided upon. They will make yoI
open your eyes"
VERY we'll, just IS you please. "
said rather ooldly, rising to take my do
parture.
did not SEQ Ross again for soml
weeks, for, though i called onoe or twiol
at his rooms In the Temple, l Away
found bis oak sported. One day the in
uer door happened to he open, an'
through the letter slit / could see int
his sitting oom There were six younl
ladies seated at a largo table busily writ
ing. and in front Of each WASH high pill
Of cards Two large baskets, filled will
similar cards. stood on tho door.
Business taking mo abroad, Twas no
present at the birth OF the book on which
my friend bad built such hopss. aud
though ! looked IN tho London papers
could find neither advertisement no
mention Of Il was therefore rathci
surprised when, on landing az Dover o