A volume that will be anticipated with much interest is "Letters by Benjamin Jowett," which Mr. Evelyn Abbott and Professor Lewis Campbell are preparing as a supplement to their "Life of the late Master of Balliol," which was issued by Mr. Murray last year. Mr. Clark Russell's new novel, "The Romance of a Midshipman," will be published on Oct. 5 by Mr. Unwin. A romance of lower London, by Mr. A. St. John Adcock, will be published shortly by Messrs. Skeffington. General McLeod Innes is writing the life of another gallant soldier, namely, the late General Sir Henry Havelock-Allan. Novels to be published in the autumn by Messrs Constable include "An Elusive Lover," by Virna Woods; "A Statesman's Chance," by Mr. J. F. Charles; and "The Modern Gospel," by Mrs. H. H. Penrose. With the July number of the Classical Review Mr. G. E. Marindin relinquished the post of editor, owing to pressure of other work. Dr. Postgate, of Cambridge, has accepted the editorship, and he will be assisted by Mr. A. Bernard Cook, of Trinity College, Cambridge. Marindin has edited the review for five years, having succeeded Professor Mayor. Mr. sity, the well-known Icelander, in preparing an elaborate volume on the topography and scenery of the Sagas, so far as they relate to Iceland. It will be illustrated by 200 water-colour drawings taken by Mr. Collingwood last year in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and the Northern Seas. Professor Murison is writing the volume on Sır William Wallace for the Famous Scots Series. July witnessed the appearance of a threepenny popular monthly, entitled the Harmsworth Magazine. It is published by the well-known firm of Harmsworth. Considerable discussion has arisen upon the question of whether the newsagents can afford to sell it at the price it is offered to them. Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son declined to sell it on their bookstalls, and there has been a lengthy altercation between the two firms on this score. Mr. Harmsworth, the principal of the firm, says that the magazine can only be produced at the price because it is but "a small incident in an organisation controlling four daily journals and nearly thirty weekly periodicals; because we already possess and are now building printing machinery of an entirely novel and labour-saving nature." The following are among the novels which are announced for early publication: "God's Outcast," by Mr. Silas K. Hocking (Warne); "A Girl of Grit," by Major Arthur Griffiths (Milne); a novel by Mr. J. A. Barry (Macqueen); "A Lotus Flower," by Mr. J. Morgan de Groo (Blackwood); "The Secret of the King," by Mr. Charles Hannan; "The Pathway of the Gods,' by Mrs. Mona Caird; The Laurel Walk," by Mrs. Molesworth (Isbister); and "The Queen's Cup," by Mr. G. A. Henty." "The Ways of a Widow," by Mrs. Lovett Cameron; and "Heart and Sword," by John Strange Winter, will be published by Messrs. White, who also have in preparation new stories by Mrs. Alexander and Miss Florence Warden. The Rev. Arthur Jenkinson, minister of the parish of Innellan, Argyllshire, has written a novel, in collaboration with his daughter, the scenes of which are laid in some of the wildest parts of the West Highlands. The story is entitled" Fiona McIver: A Romance of the Western Isles," and will be published immediately by Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. Miss Jeukinson, who is still very young, has already accomplished a considerable amount of literary work. The executive committee of the Stevenson Memorial now report that a fund of about £1400 has been raised through local committees in New Zealand, the United States, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen. A mural monument in bronze will be placed in the Moray Aisle of St. Giles's Cathedral, Edinburgh. It will be done by Mr. St. Gaudens, the American sculptor, who has studied Stevenson from the life. If the funds permit, it is also proposed to erect a handsome red granite seat upon some point on the Calton Hill, overlooking the Firth of Forth. Miss E. M. Cope is translating from the Norwegian a personal life of Marie Antoinette, written by Miss Clara Tschudi, who was recently presented by King Oscar with a gold medal in recognition of her historical researches. Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein and Co. will publish the book. Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, is writing a review of his Lifetime amongst the Dissenters, which will probably appear in the autumn. The proposed title of the book is Paterson's Parish: A Book of Scenes, Thoughts, Dialogues, and Revelations." No publisher has yet been named. 66 Bullock, C. William Ewart Gladstone: a non-political Tribute. 2). Home Words. Campin, F. Iron and Steel Bridges and Viaducts. 3'6 Lockwood. Carrington, Henry The Siren. 3/6. Stock. Chipp, H. Lawn Tenuis Recollections 2/- Merritt ani Hatcher. Clarke, H. H. The Shipping Ring and South African Trade 1/Ward and Lock. Simpkin. White. Hurst. Lane. Clarke, Henry. Billy: and other Sketches. 3/6. 6 Thacker. 1/6. Macmillan. Churchill. 6 Digby Cripps, H. Ovariotomy and Abdominal Surgery. 25 - Downe, W. By Shamrock and Heather. 6- Bible.) 6/ 6/ Lane Chapman Nichols. Unwin. Dutt, W. A. By Sea Marge, Marsh, and Mere. 1-net. A Manual for Students of Massage. 3/6 net. Escott, T. H. S. Personal Forces of the Period. Eyton, Canon. The Heritage of a Great Life [Gladstone's]. 1- Paul. Ferguson, Robert. Dulcissima! Dilectissima! Stock. Filon, A. (tr. by J. E. Hogarth). The Modern French Drama. 7/6. Chapman. 6/- net. Flint, G. Marching with Gomez. Gay. Fryer, A. Potamogetons (Pond Weeds) of the British Isles. Parts 1-3 21/- net. L. Reeve. Richard the Third Gairdner, J. Revised edition. 86. Garland, Hamlin. Jason Edwards and A Little Norsk. 6 Gautier, T. (tr. by E. M. Beam). Captain Fracasse. 5- Duckworth. Gay, Mgr. C. (tr. by O. S. B.). The Religious Life and the Vows. 5Burns and O, Paul. Paul. T. G. Johnson. Armstrong, A. Tales of the Temple and Elsewhere. 1 cybinæ. 3/- net. St. James's Gazette Office. Part I. 1/6. Clive. Macmillan. Sonnenschein. R. Belfort. 2- Richards. Beginners. 1/ Routledge. Stoneman. Bailey, G. H. Metals and their Compounds. Gray, Maxwell. The House of Hidden Treasure. 6- Chapman Harrison, H. The Place-Names of the Liverpool District. 5/- Stock. Hart, A. B. (ed.). American History told by Contemporaries. Vol. 2, 8/6 net. Macmillan. Gillette, C. P. American Leaf-Hoppers of the Sub-family Typhlo- C. Wilson. Heinemann. Music Office. Keith. Rodney, H Hilda. A Study in Passion. 2/6. Ward and L. 7.6. Hodgson, S. H. Hoffman, W. J. The Metaphysic of Experience. 36- net. The Graphic Art of the Eskimos. Newnes. Constable. Longman. 12/- net. Wesley. Bergerac. 5/- net. Wesley. Constable. Rowley, Christopher E. The Voice Holden, E. S. Catalogue of Earthquakes on Pacific Coast, 1769-1897. 3/6 net. Holland, C. The Use of the Hand Camera. 2/6. Holland, C, Compulsory Colic for Board Schools. 1- P. S. King. Holland, Hon. Lionel. Suggestions for Scheme of Old Age Pensions. 1/6. Arnold. Constable. Unwin. Hollingshead, John. Gaiety Chronicles. 21/- Methods and of Special Pathology. &c., of Internal Diseases. 12,6 net. 2/ E. Wilson. Russell, F. Ventriloquism and Kindred Arts. 2/6. Scudder. W. H. Revision of the Orthopteran Group Melanopli Snow, H Twenty-two Years' Experience in the Treatment of Cancerous and other 'I umours 5/Baillière. Statham, H. H. Architecture among the Poets. 3/6 net. Batsford. Stephen, Leslie. Studies of a Biographer 12Duckworth. Stevenson, R. L. Moral Emblems, &c. (Vol. 28 of Collected Works.) Chatto. Sturmey, H. On an Autocar through the Length and Breadth of the Land. 4,6. Iliffe. 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Ummagga Jataka (The Story of the Tunnel). From the Sinhalese. 10/6. Luzac. Yates, J. Present-day Engineering on the Rand. 21/- net. Whittaker. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. IX.-No. 4.] SEPTEMBER 1, 1898. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. OR some years it has been the practice to insert, in FOR some Jaber of The Author, certain" General Con siderations," Warnings, Notices, &c., for the guidance of the reader. It has been objected as regards these warnings that the tricks or frauds against which they are directed cannot all be guarded against, for obvious reasons. It is, however, well that they should be borne in mind, and if any publisher refuses a clause of precaution he simply reveals his true character, and should be left to carry on his business in his own way. Let us, however, draw up a few of the rules to be observed in an agreement. There are three methods of dealing with literary property: I. That of selling it outright. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent. II. A profit-sharing agreement. In this case the following rules should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of production forms a part. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements VOL. IX. [PRICE SIXPENCE. In this system, which has opened the door to a most amazing amount of overreaching and trading on the author's ignorance, it is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the "Cost of Production." Let no one, not even the youngest writer, sign a royalty agreement without finding out what it gives the publisher as well as himself. It has been objected that these precautions presuppose a great success for the book, and that very few books indeed attain to this great success. That is quite true: but there is always this uncertainty of literary property that, although the works of a great many authors carry with them no risk at all, and although of a great many it is known within a few copies what will be their minimum circulation, it is not known what will be their maximum. Therefore every author, for every book, should arrange on the chance of a success which will not, probably, come at all; but which may come. The four points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are: (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. (3.) That there shall be no secret profits. (4.) That nothing shall be charged which has not been actually paid-for instance, that there shall be no charge for advertisements in the publisher's own organs and none for exchanged advertisements, and that all discounts shall be duly entered. If these points are carefully looked after, the author may rest pretty well assured that he is in right hands. At the same time he will do well to send his agreement to the secretary before he signs it. I 2 I. E HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society first-our solicitors are continually engaged upon such questions for us. 3. Send to the office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. This is in order to ascertain what has been the nature of your agreements, and the results to author and publisher respectively so far. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. If the examination of your previous business transactions by the Secretary proves unfavourable, you should take advice as to a change of publishers. 5. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the proposed document to the Society for examination. 6. The Society is acquainted with the methods, and-in the case of fraudulent houses-the tricks of every publishing firm in the country. 7. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the independence of the writer. 8. Send to the Editor of The Author notes of everything important to literature that you may hear or meet with. 9. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. Communications for The Author should reach the Editor not later than the 21st of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. Members and others who wish their MSS. read are requested not to send them to the Office without previously communicating with the Secretary. The utmost practicable despatch is aimed at, and MSS. are read in the order in which they are received. It must also be distinctly understood that the Society does not, under any circumstances, undertake the publication of MSS. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, Whitehall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. Will members take the trouble to ascertain whether they have paid their subscriptions for the year? If they will do this, and remit the amount, if still unpaid, or a banker's order, it will greatly assist the Secretary, and save him the trouble of sending out a reminder Members are most earnestly entreated to attend to the following warning. It is a most foolish and may be a most disastrous thing to enter into an agreement binding for a term of years. Let them ask themselves if they would give a solicitor the collection of their rents for five years to come, whatever his conduct, whether he was honest or dishonest? Of course they would not. Why then hesitate for a moment when they are asked to sign themselves into literary bondage for three or five years ? "Those who possess the Cost of Production' are requested to note that the cost of binding has advanced 15 per cent." This clause was inserted three or four years ago. Estimates have, however, recently been obtained which show that the figures in the book may be relied on as nearly correct as near as is possible. Some remarks have been made upon the amount charged in the "Cost of Production" for advertising. Of course, we have not included any sums which may be charged for inserting advertisements in the publisher's own magazines, or in other magazines by exchange. As agreements too often go, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from sweeping the whole profits of a book into his own pocket, by inserting any number of advertisements in his own magazines, and by exchanging with others. Some there are who call this a form of fraud; it is not known what those who practise this method of swelling their own profits call it. of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 68. 6d. subscription for the year. The Editor is always glad to receive short papers and communications on all subjects connected with literature from members and others. Nothing can do more good to the Society than to make The Author complete, attractive, and interesting. Will those who are willing to aid in this work send their names and the special subjects on which they are willing to write? |