Arizona republican., 1903-09-03
WHAT HAPPENS TO 1T
What Publisher Does With a Manu-
script Submitted.

II is interesting to know what stages
the magazine article goes through be-
fore the author receives a check or a
neatly printed notice. which reads
Your manuscript is returned with
thanks. We regret to say that it is
not available a present. The fact that
Il manuscript is declined does not mean
thai il has not merit
In the first place. allowing that Il pub
Usher receives an average of ten manu-
scripts day, seven of that number
Will in all probability be rejected at
sight. The publisher knows from long
experience that he is safe in ninety
nine cases out of i hundred in dispos-
ing Sulnmarily of manuscripts whose
writers cannot spell and who have not
even 4 bowling acquaintance with Lind
ley Murray. A rapid glance through
the first pages of a manuscript gives
fair idea OF the literary ability of the
author-that is, in general terms. The
common complaint that publishers are
not conscientious in the examination of
manuscripts is unfounded. The are
conscientious-it is TO their interest to
be So They are just as DESTROYS Of
discovering the talented young writer
as he is to be discovered. But it is not
order to determine its quality.
The three manuscripts that remain
after the first sitting are sent to GER
tain persons III whose judgment the
publisher has confidence. They read
them through once. and if they appear
to have merit they are sent en- to other
readers Every manuscript that has
possibilities passes through the hands
of
makes out a detailed report of it. set
ting forth it's excellence and defects in
tho eyes of the particular reader When
the reports on Il certain Ms. are all in
the publisher reads them, and makes
up his mind as to whether it will be
advisable fer him to publish it. If he
is not satisfied with the reports already
received on it he may send it out to
other readers and defer his decision
until he hears from them.
There are many elements that in
iluence publication. A MS. may be good
in itself. but it may not be what the
particular publisher has a market fol.
Or it may belong to 4 certain class with
which he is already fully stocked.
Manuscripts rejected by one firm are
frequently accepted by another. 1t is
said that David Harum'' was rejected
by nine publishing houses.
Readers are human, and. therefore.
liable to err. Temperament plays, nee
essarily. a considerable part in their
decisions, but they are selected by the
firms that engaged them for their criti
cal judgment. their knowledge of good
English. their acquaintance with both
standard and contemporary literature.
and for their skill in determining the
selling qualities of book.
II story has live characters and is
We'll put together the publisher is will
ing 10 expend time and money in bring
ing it up to the standard he has set.
Some readers are also editors of the
firm and they correct faulty sentences,
rearrange mixed metaphors, and see
that the demands of time and place are
not confused.
Few persons beginning to write are
aware. probably. CT the amount Of edit
ing which their work requires before
it is in condition to appear in print.
There are solitary footmen approach
ing on horseback in manuscripts that
have been read and re-read by the
author dozen times. 1t takes another
eye than the writer's to detect these
Inconsistencies and blunders.
If the manuscript deals with an his
toric period it is sure to be sent to the
reader Who is competent to give absO-
lutte judgment on the accuracy { is
statements. Any scientific work will
ne submitted to an expert in the par
ticular branch With which it deals.
Publishers wish to bring out only such
books as Will bring them financial re-
turn and reputation.