The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-01
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 INvERYBODY knows by this time that the form of literary exercise A--A most in demand is the short story remarked successful writer, who has fought his way to the front, the other day, ''and yet the troubles of a short story writer are very many. His desk becomes overburdened with rejected man useripts and his life one long succession of cold chils every time the postman comes Up the street In the end, some times he gains nothing but experience and a many-colored. many-sized. variously ex- pressed assortment of printed cards and folders relating the anguish of soul with which the various magazines struggle as they return his stories. 1 sa
 Some magazines nse white paper, some use blue, one New York monthly sends always a sickly. pessimistic yellow, and another uses a faded drab, as though even the writing material felt mean and peevish Some send still cards, others single sheets of shiny, highly calendered paper. Some bear the letterhead of the magazine, and address the poor author by name. Others simply plunge abrupt Iy into the matter at hand with We re- gret that or The editors regret In the latter case they always spell 'edi- tors with capital.
 "A limited few begin with great polite ness, We thank you for your courtesy. One in particular sends it's letterhead- ing printed on small sheet of bilious looking paper and bearing also the type written words in blue ink, Returned with thanks and regrets Only that and
 nothing more. As a matter of fact that is enough. It covers the case ex- actly
 q think the classiest though, consid- ering the custom perhaps the most ec- centric, Is the reply I received tucked
 in some copy once in while from the editor of a publication that has money enough behind 1t to reject my stuff on silver salver If 1t liked. This editor sig ply takes a sheet of soft white paper, sucl, as the grecers tie up lemons and spinach in, and he tears off piece about two inches wide by four long. Upon 1t he writes, with a steel pen held in one hand the simple, chaste instription. With the --'s thanks
 You see, this is the limit of business like method. You know when you see tyour story inside the envelope tha it is sent back. You know that if he had
 wanted 1t he would have used It. There is no use of his telling you 1t does not fit in with the policy of his paper, or that So many manuscripts are submitted that ,s...,. ...1,otla ,,aa tte, y,,,,.t ,a rejected You know that is true, in your soul, but you never believe it when you read 1t printed. No, he gives you credit for knowing all these things which are per fectly apparent. He just mentions the fact that he is much obliged for the opportunity of seeing the story. And he isn't obliged at all, because he has so much matter to read that he wishes In his heart you wouldn't bother him unless you have something he can use.
 'It is true that the various magazines differ about the same story. Most of them demand that 1t be pleasant
 Also, be sure the story contains a girl.
 A pretty girl. summers night, moon
 serenely mellow, fond caress a lover's vow and, in the lyric sentiments of the opera, then all is well, oh.' This surely | Is not the best form of a short story from a literary standpoint, but the young writer wants to sell his story, The pretty girl kind sells best.
 .I have seen n story that vas refused in three places because the style find ready purchase in the fourth for the same reason. Sometimes what one magazine thinks strong plot. another does not. The greatest story ever written Is use less to all concerned unless it is pub Iirhed. The writer must study the fads nf the periodicals. one should not try to
 sell rcd neckties to an undertaken. and yet this Is no disparRgemcnt of either | the undertakers or the red ties.
 ..An old and experienced writer told
 rae the other day that he had just sold
 story after 1t had been to 15 differ
 ent publications. He ousht to be ashamed of himself. There are not Is publications | 10 nv knowledge that use the same kind
 of stories. He should have picked out tho | right one in the beginning.
 l My advice to beginners Is to tell youl story as simpay as possible, keeping away from tho eecentricities of style possessed