The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-12-28
BOOK WENT BEGGING.


tlon was called to the fact that some
OF our most commercially successful
books had been repeatedly rejected
by the readers and literary advisers
of prominent publishing houses.
Scores of cases of this kind, stretch
ing back from David Harum" to the
early days of the publishing business,
might be cited, and even in the case
OF scientific and technical books the
same thing has frequently occurred.
In one case within the knowledge Of
the writer treatise on practical
department on mechanics was offered
to almost all the New York publish
ers of technical books and was uni
formly rejected. Finally It found a
publisher in a personal friend of the
author, and more than 100000 copies
were sold in the course of a few
years
In another case the manuscript Of a
very popular work on electricity was
rejected by the scientific advisers Of
the house that now publishes It, and
was finally accepted because mem-
Der OF the concern was a personal
friend OF the author, and he, after
careful consideration, come to the
conclusion that at the worst there
would be no loss on 1t. As it turned
outs however, IL proved most pro-
fitable venture. Another scientific
work of popular character was re-
jected by half dozen publishers, but
at last found one TO take IL, and it
passed through two large editions
inside of a year.
In this connection, however, it must
be borne in mind that a manuscript
may be very excellent in itself and
yet 1t may not fit into the class OF
publications which are issued by the
house to which 1t is offered. II may
be out Of their line or they may have
enough books of that kind on hand
already, or it may require a special
line of advertising which 1t would be
inconvenlent TO undertake. But after
giving due weight to all these consid-
erations 1t must be admitted that the
ordinary literary and scientific advis-
er is often conservative to the point
of timidity, and sometimes the very
fact that he is an expert in his own
particular line is apt to unfit him for
judging correctly the tastes of the
purchasing public. and this is the
very class to which every publisher
appeals, for we must remember that
all books, except those issued by pro-
pagandists are published with view
to profit.
One of the most noted instances OF
preliminary rejection, followed ulu-
mately by remarkable success, was
that OF Uncle Toms Cabin" book
which has probably, had as large a
circulation and has proved as profit
able to both author and publisher as
any book of its time. And yet, It was
rejected by several publishers, includ-
ing the very large house whose i'm
print 1t finally bore.-that of John p.
Jewett & Co.. of Boston. The facts
in this case were detailed to me by
ward the close of his life, l became
quite intimate.
The book was first published as a
serial in the National Era of Wash
ington, d. c., Mrs. Stowe reserving
the right to issue il in book form.
When complete It was revised, and
among others to whom II was offered
was the publishing house of John P.
Jewett G. Co. 1t did not make a very
favorable impression upon the mem
bers Of the firm, except Mr.. Jewett,
for at that time anti-slavery publica-
tions were not considered money!
makers, although they had certain
vogue among a particular class. Con-
sequently, when the literary adviser
pronounced against the book the frm
as a whole refused to accept it.
Mr.. Jewett, however, took the manu-
script home, and on reading IL over
with his wife, who was woman OF
keen insight and sound judgment, he
came to the conclusion that 1t would
sell, and the Arm was urged to un-
dertalte its publication. But they
gave a decided refusal, and Mr.. Jew
EFT then asked permission to publish
II on his own account and at his own
risk. To this proposition the others
readily agreed, and, as Jewett him
self expressed IT, am Iron clad" con-
tract was drawn up by which he was
to bear any loss that might ensue
from the adventure. AS nobody sup
posed that the profits would be worth
disputing about, he had no difficulty
In getting inserted clause which Sc
cured to him personally, free from any
claim on the part of the firm, all tho
profits that might accrue.
The book was printed in due course
and placed in the hands Of active
agents. The result is well known Il
was a success from the start, and the
sum representing the profits reached
six figures. The first payment to
Prof. Stowe, ON behalf of his wife,
was $4,000, and as Jewett told me
the story, the effect which the pos
session OF such large sum of money
had upon the quiet professor, who
had hitherto handled only periodical
payments OF his salary, was interest
ing If not amusing. His first idea
was that he would taka tha aptira