The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-07
MoRTGAGED AUTHORS

From the Christian Science Monitor.
The present tremendous circulation Of GER
tain monthly magazines, in which are pub
lshed, in serial form, novels by the best mod
ern writer's has introduced new element into
literature which is being looked upon with
some apprehension. These periodicals, be-
cause of their circulation are able to offer
sums far beyond anything heard of decade
ago, but coupled with this specialization such
magazines are now endeayoring to control ex-
clusvely the book rights as well. certain
author, for instance, who has attained some
popularity but who cannot be included among
the leading writers of today, is said recently
to have made cantract with of these
magazines for six novels with guarantee or
$50 900 each for the serial rights and 10000
advance upon the book rights. Even more
attractive propositions are said to have been
made to writers of higher rank, but not al
ways with success.
All this naturally raises the question not
necessarily of ethics, for author surely has
the right to sell his wares in the highest
ket but rather Of the exact reason which
causes any writer to decline so munificent an
offer.
An author gains from his work twofold
recompense: first, the income which is neces-
sary for his sustenance and it is to be hoped
something more; second, the qualification of
telling his story exactly as he believes it
should be told to convey the message to his
audience. To most authors this second rec
ompense is Of greater Importance. If, how
ever, he mortgages his literary output for five
or six years to single periodical it is inevi-
table that in telling his story he should have
aya. hafora him +ha audience which this ner-
odical reaches. 1t may may not be that
this is the audience best qualified to receive
his message or to read his story with under
standing mind. If it is not, then it is just
as inevitable that he should, consciously or
unconsciously, be influenced to write down to
that audience which his story is to reach. The
result of this cannot be other than deteriora-
ton, and no writer, however famous,
continue to hold his place unless his work
proceeds definitely forward.
Literary production cannot stand still; It
must either advance or go back. Under normal
conditions an author himself develops with
his literary work To write novel necessi-
tates the crystallizing of ideas, which before
were fugitive, and many Of which, when
tested, prove to be half-truths and thus worthy
only of elimination. Any influence which
reflects itself in the progressive work of any
author, appears in magnified form in the
written word. The mortgaged author runs
great risk when healthy competition is re-
placed by comfortable complacency.
The head of leading publishing house was
recently advised by friend that an author of
national repute was about to leave the pub
Usher whose imprint had appeared upon his
work for 20 years, and suggestion was made
that it would be quite ethical for this pub
Usher under these circumstances to make
effort to secure the future novels of this
writer. "Three years ago." the publisher
piled, sT should have accepted this oppor-
tunity with interest but today am indiffer-
ent. During these three years this authors
work has appeared exclusively in single
periodical, and his work has distinctly deteri-
Grated It is probably because of this that
he finds himself dissatisfied with his present
publisher" This, perhaps is the practical
answer to those who wonder why certain
authors decline munificent offers made for
their exclusive literary productions.
MORE COTTON FOR THE WORLD
From the New York Herald.