New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-06

suoura, address, hut probably they had more to
do with the organization Of the Publishers AS
ISOLATION than considerations based upon copy
right law authors agreements and discounts 10
booksellers Times have indeed changed since
the publisher was the patron Of literature. to
whom the hacks of Grub Street made opelsahce.
The popular author is now man OF business
or the literary agent is. In any event. Inc sue
cessful novelist 10 the arbter OF his own destiny
When his reputation Is made. he dictates terms
70 his publisher He sells his books by their
titles before a word has been written, and dis
posa, of the serial rights as we'll. The literary
agent is his broker. and the publisher when the
contract is made is his banker; Tor the novenst
lives we'll and finds 1t convenient to have sources
of credit while he Is producing his work. NOT
infrequently large financial advances are inaue
TO the novelist long before the agreement Is car
ried out and the manuscript placed IN the pup
fishers hands. SO far from objecting 10 the
business Of money lending without other security
than the contract for an unfinished manuscript.
the publisher encourages the practice, because IL
places the author under obligation TO MIN ana
enables him TO control subsequent publications.
which might otherwise go to rivals
NEW ORDER OF THINGS.
The increasing power and independence OF the
successful author have impressed the pupisher
with a sense OF his own helpessness IN deahng
with him and the literary agent. so long as
rival houses were bidding for the same WORK.
with no assurance that a subsequent novel would
bear the imprint OF the buyer. they were sweHlns
the incomes Of popular writers without ade-
ouately protecting themselves. The puolsners
have consequently taken their cue from the au-
thors themselves and formed an alliance Tor
mutual defence But. having done this, they
ar. too diplomatic and practical to disclose their
dissatisfaction with existing conditions. Ihey
do not declare war against the literary agent
who invariably describes himself as their ally ana
friend. They do not take up arms against the
Authors Society. They talk about copyright
law discounts to the retail ira de and model forms
of authors agreements All these are safe sub
jects and the discussion OF them TENDS 10 pro-
mote AVAILABILITY and good feeling. When the
publishers retired from Stationers Hall to their
private offices they may have reflected upon what
the president left unsaid. and they may nave
admired the address even more for what was not
in 1t than for the excellent points which were
made.
Nor is II by any means certain that the new
association, while designed originally for pur-
poses of self-protsction and mutual advantage,
may not exercise a salutary influence In creating
better feeling between authors and publishers.
In France there is a Syndicate Of Literary and
Artistic Societies. In which are united ten pow
erful associations Of workers and dealers In lit-
erature, art and invention. IT holds monthly
meetings, discusses questions OF common interest.
controls the action Of the Foreign Office on copy
right and exercises commanding influence over
legislation affecting authors, inventors. artists
and other intellectual workmen. With similar
concentration Of interests In England the copy.
right laws would be amended and other useful
results be accomplished There Is no reason 10
doubt that one Of :he commonest sources OF mis-
understanding between authors and publishers
would be removed II Mr.. Longman's suggestions
respecting model forms Of agreement were adopt
ed after a conference between the two associa-
tons.
TIE restoration of the old-time relations be-
tween publishers and novelists may not be
practicable owing to the increased value OF mar
ketable fiction. which arms the literary agent
with potential energy a broker. But other
classes of writers do not require such adventi-
tious aid and their relations with publishers have
not been altered Houses like Mr.. Murray s
and the Macmilans' are loyal to the traditions OF
| the past and the best publishers in London are
still central figures In literary circles of their
| own with the most cordial relations existing
| between them and their best friends the authors
| of the books published by them. Possibly. as
| time passes, there will be fewer misunderstand-
ngs and less strife between the novelists and the
| publishers; and this end will be promoted. not
| by acrid structures such have sometimes APP
peared in the authors official journal, but rather
| by conciliatory addresses like that OF Mr. Long
| man and by cordial and effective cooperation
| on common lines Of action N. F.