The Western news., 1903-01-21
BOYS BOOKS PAY BEST.
Author John Habbcrton Talks Inter.
estinXly of Writings.

estinXly of Writings.
John Habberton, who Is the author
Of more than a score Of books, but who
traitor of that delicious bit of humor,
"Helen's Babies" let fall some inter
esting remarks about literary work-a
reflex Of his own eXperience-the other
day. He was talking about the sort of
literature that pays. financially, and
the conversation drifted to the subject
Of boys books.
"The writing Of juvenile fiction is
about the best investment an author
can make" said Mr.. Habberton. THE
royalties are never big at any one time,
but the sales never seem to stop. The
may have tremendous sale for year,
if it hits the popular fancy-take Tril-
by for instance-but year, under
present conditions, sees its finish The
boys book. If it is a good one, will con-
tinue to sell just as long as there are
boys to read 1t.
"Just the other day received a state
ment from New York publishing
house to the effect that during the last
six months a Juvenile book that l
wrote twenty years ago had sold to the
| eXtVIt of 900 copies, which meant a
nice little lump sum to me. l have re-
| eeived about the same amount in royal
ties from the sale of that one book
ever since 1t was first published. J. Il.
Trowbridge, who is now quite an old
man, is still drawing royalties from
the Philadelphia firm of Henry Il.
Coates Il Co. for boys books that he
wrote fifty years ago, the copyrights
on which have twice been renewed.
The writer of book for boys. how
ever continued Mr.. Habberton, ac.
cording to the Philadelphia Record. as
by no means as easy as it would seem
TO one who has never tried 1t. To a
man who is not himself a boy at heart
who does not come In constant contact
with boys and love them and theil
sports, such writing would be out OF
the question. The book wouldn't ring
true, and the boy reader, who is keeI
critic, would be quick to realize til
faults. Above all other writers, the
author Of juvenile fiction must keep Ii
touch with his subject. He cannot af
ford to get stale.
Did ever write dime novel
Well, yes, to be frank; but l never
had one published. couldn't seem t.
just hit the mark, although in the ole
days | had lots Of friends who did
There was my old war comrade. Col
Judson, whose best known pseudo
nym was Ned Buntline' He was tn,
most prolific man with the pen
ever knew, and at the height OF hi
career he made lot of money. A!
an instance Of his industry l need onl,
tell you that at one time a certai,
weekly story paper was running at tn,
same time no less than six serial stor
; les written by him under different pei
names.
''One Of my own experiences In tha
line strikes me as being amusing as
look back on 1t. | had written dim
novel for the famous BeaGle's library
but 1t came back to me with no com
ment other than the customary printe,
slip with its familiar phraseology
What do you suppose l did with It?
was thrifty in those days, so choppe,
it up in five short stories. l polishe,
. and rounded each one out into com
plete tale and sold three of them to tn
. Rev. Edward Everett Hale, who wa
then conducting magazine. OF tn
other two one appeared In Harper
Bazaar and the other In Harper's Maga
zine. After that l gave up trying t
write dime novels
S0nln Da0nln To thinl.