The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-16
FOR HOPEFUL H
THE MIDDLEMIN' GLAD HAND
h. OF FELLOWSHIP.

The Literary Agent nnd His work - The
Placing OF Manuscripts by - Concern That
Would Tighten tho Load OF the un-
published and Add to That or tho Editor.
The literary agent is the latest form of the
middloman, and an author who has some rcpu-
tRtion and an energetic agent said the other day
that he was getting orders ut a ratio quito boz
yond his capacity TO I'LL them. Before he en-
gagged tho agent demand for his services had
languished. Tho activity of the literary agent
is extending rapidly.
The single agent Is n novelty, although some
thing like the work no transacts has been nc.
tempted by one concern in New York for n long
time. This concern offers to commence It's labors
at n point far in advance Of that at which the
mere agent steps in. 1t will take the struggling
author by the hand and lead him gently UP tho
slopes OF Olympus until he may or may not
reach tho final that consists in
the publication of his book. He is certain In any
event to havo aid and comfort along tho way.
Some similar establishment has long looked
after the reading and criticism OF plays. For
n figure that varies in accordance with the
amount of attention required, a play is read and
criticised by an expert who will give the author
tho satisfaction of a long and serious considera-
tion OF his work, however bad 1t may be. To-
have this amount Of attention paid to his piece
often satisfies the amateur, and he is willing to
lhs NV ihl UNIV anu uStote
also frequently avail themselves OF the oppor-
tunity to get an expert judgment on a work
they may be about to invest in.
The latest circular of this concern, after offer
ing 3" skilled revision, correction, and emenda-
tion" Of the manuscript, submitted, to it. dwells
on further advantages Of Its methods thus:
Personal attention is given to every manu-
script. and 1t receives the same consideration az
style and diction are bettercd wherever need
may. be, care is taken to preserve intact the
Gi nsroSed rh IN sstsri OF i form M i9 shall IL y sesf fa ihiiSn "a.
tain the authors individuality. In the revision
Of verse minute attention is given TO the
obscurities and redundancics are corrected,
and completer adequacy of expression is sought.
The aim Of all these revisions, whether Of prose
or verse, Is more than mere verbal accuracy; the
higher qualities OF style, are kept in view. the
writer's already skilled. In its letters Of crit.
visions 1t does the thing"
The s%ensitiye author who might dread what
phere Of such a transaction is made TO under
stand that the delicate spirit OF the writer is re-
works of the dilettante mind can be measured
and scheduled as is coffee. sugar, or overshoes.
attests an appreciation Of the Individual mind
is shown in these sentences:
individuaiities and the needs Of different an.
thors, and no set terms for the services required
ssn m hsTs ss named al Is aon sss the w terms fs,, d5s ir MHrE:
they are, indeed, but n fraction of what
ones legal adviser tsupposing him to have
equal experience and standing In his profess
sion, would charge for a similar amount
of expert service. An agreement is al
ways made with the author before putting
any work upon his manuscript; and it is sug-
gested that authors send their manuscripts for
inspection, so that an estimate of fees. whether
for revision, criticism, or offering to publishers,
may be made and submitted for approval. Full
value is returned in work on manuscripts; but
work is not undertaken for a commission upon
profits to be received from their sale"
advice that the institution, while 1t appreciates
the individual characteristics of the literary
mind, and is prepared 10 respect them, is not In
the business for It's health.
With q fine sense of climax the circular grad.
ually leads the literary aspirant to the con-
sideration Of the final hurdle. 1t volunteers to
help him over this into the fellowship OF tho
published" with this eternal truth: The
search for a publisher costs time and trouble"
Doubtless many a sigh indorses the statement
OF that fact when it appears to the vision of the
batfled amateur. I'm this matter there is no
royal road and acceptance cannot be guaran-
agement in these facts seems in a measure coun-
teractcd by the offer that concludes the com.
pany's circular:
"On agreement with the author we will for
ward hopeful manuscripts, after their revision
or criticism. to the editors or publishers who are
most likely to accept them; or we will send a list
OF such editors and publishers to the author"
What n burst of sunshine in that one word
hopeful II ought to encourage everybody
excepting all such editors and publishers"
They are the only ones to tremble.