----------------------------------------
------------     ,transcrib]'s note     
,m9or punctuation errors h be5 correct$ 
)\t     notice4 ,! au?or's spell+ has   
be5 ma9ta9$4                            
----------------------------------------
------------          ,,if ,,y ,,don',t 
,,write ,,fiction       ,by      ,,*>les
 ,,phelps ,,cu%+       ,illu/ration     
,,new ,,york      ,,rob]t ,m4           
,mc,b,r,i,d,e  ,,company      #aibj     
,copyright1 #aibj1 by      ,,rob]t ,m4  
,mc,b,r,i,d,e  ,,co4       ,pr9t$ 9 !   
,unit$ ,/ates ( ,am]ica       ,publi%$4 
,june1 #aibj                            
,,to                            ,,c\s9  
,,ann  :o doesn't write fiction1 b :o is
 ambiti\s to m>ket magaz9e articles1 ?is
 little book is affectionately d$icat$4 
,if x c save h] "s tribulations along ! 
road t leads to acceptances1 ! au?or w  
feel t 8 labors h be5 well en\gh repaid4
     ,! au?or ?anks ! editors ( ,!      
,bookman1 ,out+ & ! ,kansas ,city ,/> = 
grant+ p]mission to repr9t c]ta9        

passages t "h appe> 9 revis$ =m4        
,c4 ,p4 ,c4     ,,preface   ,! publi%]  
assures me t no "o b a book review] ev] 
reads prefaces1 s ,i seize ^u !         
opportunity to h a tete-a-tete ) my     
critics4 ,g5tlem51 my c>ds are face up  
on ! table4 ,i h decl>$ to ! publi%] t  
ne>ly e ,am]ican :o kn[s h[ to read     
longs to f9d 8 way into pr9t1 & %\ld    
appreciate "s ( ! de>ly b\ght h9ts h]e9 
conta9$ ^u practical j\rnalism4 ,&1 z ,i
 kept my face /raight :5 ,i said x1 he  
may h tak5 me s]i\sly4 ,p]haps he ?9ks  
he has a be/ sell]4  ,b ?is is j betwe5 
ourselves4 ,z he nev] reads prefaces1 he
 won't suspect unless y tell him4 ,my   
own view ( ! matt] is t ,h>old ,bell    
,wright ne$ n fe> me1 b t ! editors ( ! 
,baseball ,rule ,book may be =c$ to     
d\ble _! annual appropriation = adv]tis+
 9 ! lit]>y sections4  ,z ! sport ( free
 lance scribbl+ has a great deal 9      
common ) fi%+1 ! au?or ( ?is little book
 may be =giv5 = sugge/+ t 9 int5tion x  
is some?+ l ,izaak ,walton's ,compleat  

,angl]1 9 t x attempts to comb9e        
practical helpfulness ) a n>rative (    
mild adv5tures4 ,= :at ! book conta9s   
besides advice1 ,i make no apologies1 = 
x is set d[n nei!r 9 emb>rassm5t nor 9  
pride4 ,_m read]s !re mu/ be :o w\ld l  
no?+ bett] ?an to dip into *apt]s f j   
su* a life z m9e4 ,witness h[ ,edw>d    
,fitz,gerald1 half au?or ( ! ,rubaiyat1 
sigh$ to read m lives ( obscure p]sons1 
& t ,ar?ur ,*ri/oph] ,b5son1 f 8        
,college ,w9d[1 repeats ! wi% & adds3   
,! wor/ ( x is t p (t5 are s mode/2 !y  
?9k t _! own exp]i5ce is s dull1 s      
unromantic1 s un9t]e/+4 ,x is an entire 
mi/ake4 ,if ! dulle/ p]son 9 ! _w w\ld  
only put d[n s9c]ely :at he or %e ?\ght 
ab\t 8 or h] life1 ab\t "w1 love1       
religion & emotion1 x w\ld be a fasc9at+
 docum5t4  ,b1 y may prote/1 by :at "r d
 ! exp]i5ces ( a magaz9e free lance pass
 z adv5tures8  ,!n1 aga91 ,i %all h to  
introduce exp]t te/imony3  ,! lit]>y    
life1 says no less an au?ority ?an ,h4  
,g4 ,wells1 is "o ( ! mod]n =ms (       

adv5ture4  ,& ?is holds z true = ! lea/ 
( scribbl]s z x does = great au?ors4    
,:ile ! writ] ^: "w excites wide int]e/ 
is see+ ! _w & meet+1 z ,mr4 ,wells li/s
 !m1 philosoph]s1 sci5tific m51 soldi]s1
 arti/s1 pr(essional m51 politicians (  
all sorts1 ! ri*1 ! great1 y may behold 
j\rnalism's small fry c\rage\sly sally+ 
=? to hunt editorial lions ) little     
butt]fly nets4 ,! sport requires a firm 
jaw & dem&s t ! adv5tur] keep all 8 wits
 ab\t him4 ,any novice :o d\bts me may h
 a try at x himself & see6 ,b fir/ he _h
 bett] read ?is ,compleat ,free ,lanc]4 
,its practical h9ts may save him--or    
%\ld ,i say h]8--_m a ne$less           
disappo9tm5t4                           
,c4 ,p4 ,c4          ,,cont5ts          
,,*apt]                                 
,,page               ,,preface          
v            ,i4 ,,ab\t ,,noses ,,&     
,,jaws             #a           ,,ii4   
,,h[ ,,to ,,prep>e ,a ,,manuscript      
#aj          ,,iii4 ,,h[ ,,to ,,take    
,,photographs         #af               

,,iv4 ,,f9d+ ,a ,,m>ket                 
#be            ,v4 ,a ,,beg9n]',s ,,fir/
 ,,adv5tures   #cb           ,,vi4 ,,9  
,,new ,,york',s ,,fleet ,,/reet    #dc  
,,vii4 ,,some?+ ,,to ,,sell             
#ed         ,,viii4 ,,:at ,,! ,,editor  
,,wants           #fa           ,,ix4   
,,& ,,if ,,y ,,d--                 #gb  
,x4 ,,=ev] ,,at ,,! ,,crossroads        
#gi     ,,if ,,y ,,don',t ,,write       
,,fiction     ,,*apt] ,i  ,,ab\t ,,noses
 ,,& ,,jaws   ,a foxh\nd sc5ts ! trail (
 8 game & tracks x /raight to a kill+4  
,a lapdog lacks ?is capability4 ,9 !    
same way1 !re are bre$s ( w\ld-be writ]s
 :o nev] c acquire a nose = news1 & o!rs
 :o1 f ! fir/ day t !y set foot 9       
editorial rooms1 are hot on ! trail t   
leads to billbo>d headl9es on ! front   
page ( a newspap] or acceptances f ! big
 magaz9es4  ,_m writ]s :o are hopelessly
 clumsy ) words draw fat pay *ecks      
because !y h a faculty = smell+ out     
int]e/+ facts4 ,9 ! l>g] cities !re are 
report]s ) ke5 noses = news :o nev]     

write a l9e f "o ye>'s end to ano!r1 b d
 all ( _! "w by ^w ( m\? ov] !          
telephone4  ,to ! beg9n] su* facts z ^! 
seem to indicate t any "o c w9 9        
j\rnalism :o has ! prop] k9d ( nose4    
,?is conclusion is only a half-tru?1 b x
 is good = ! novice to le>n--& z soon z 
possible--t ! fir/ requisite t[>d l&+ 9 
! newspap]s & magaz9es is to "k a /ory  
:5 he sees "o4  ,9 ! slang ( ! newspap] 
%op a /ory means non-fiction4 ,x may be 
an int]view4 ,x may be an acc\nt ( a    
fire4 ,x may be a page ( descriptive    
writ+ = ! ,sunday magaz9e section4 ,x   
may be m]ely a piece ( human int]e/4  ,z
 my own exp]i5ce 9 j\rnalism cov]s b>ely
 fifte5 ye>s1 ! writ] w\ld n be bold    
en\gh to attempt to def9e a /ory fur!r  
?an to /ate t x is some?+ 9 :i* an      
editor hopes 8 public w be int]e/$ at ! 
"t ! pap] or magaz9e appe>s ^u !        
news/&s4 ,to-morr[ morn+ or next mon? ! 
same read]s might n feel ! slighte/     
int]e/ 9 ! same type ( contribution4    
,timel9ess ( "s sort is important1 yet a

 /ory may h little to d ) :at 9 ! n>r[] 
s5se is usually ?\ght ( z news--su* z   
?is morn+'s happ5+s 9 ! /ock m>kets or !
 c\rts1 or ! fire 9 ,ma9 ,/reet4 ,! news
 int]e/ 9 ?is re/rict$ s5se may dangle f
 a fray$ ?read4 ,! timel9ess ( !        
contribution may be vague & g5]al4 ,we  
may n be able to d m ?an s5se x4 ,?is is
 "o reason :y m5 ( academic m9ds1 :o    
love exact def9itions1 nev] feel q at   
ease :5 !y attempt to deal ) ! pr9ciples
 ( j\rnalism4  ,we practical m51 :o e>n 
a liv+ z writ]s1 feel no m at ease ?an !
 college pr(essors :5 we attempt to deal
 ) ^! pr9ciples4 ,:5 we are cub report]s
 we are likely to conceive ! notion t a 
/ory is any?+ />tl+ en\gh1 f> en\gh     
remov$ f ! normal1 to cat* public       
att5tion by its appeal to curiosity4    
,lat]1 we p]ceive t ?is expla9s only    
half ( ! case4 ,! o!r half may baffle u 
to ! end4 ,in/ance ! fact t a great _m  
manuscripts sell to newspap]s & magaz9es
 ^u ! m]its ( t my/]i\s elem5t 9 writ+  
kn[n z human int]e/4 ,if a rew>d 7 (f]$ 

= an id5tification ( human int]e/ no    
jury c\ld agree ^u ! prize-w9n+         
description4 ,a human int]e/ /ory       
sometimes slips pa/ ! tra9$ nose ( a    
report] ( tw5ty ye>s' exp]i5ce & is     
pick$ up by a cub4 ,x is some?+ y tell  
by ! sc5t4  ,?is sc5t = ! trail ( a /ory
 may be %>p5$ by prop] tra9+1 & "o ( !  
be/ places = a beg9n] to acquire su*    
tra9+--& e>n 8 liv+ 9 ! meantime--is 9 a
 newspap] (fice4 ,yet no?+ c\ld be fur!r
 f ! pres5t writ]'s int5tion ?an to     
advise all beg9n]s 9 j\rnalism to apply 
= jobs z report]s4 ,"s ( ! mo/          
successful magaz9e contributors 9       
,am]ica h nev] set foot inside ( a      
newspap] plant except to pay a          
subscription to ! pap] or to ins]t a    
want ad = a *auffeur or a butl]4  ,if y 
h nose s5se = :at ! public is eag] to   
read1 newspap] exp]i5ce c tea* y no?+   
wor? :ile unless x is a deep] k ( human 
nature4 ,z a report] y w view f beh9d ! 
sc5es :at ! p ( an ,am]ican community   
are l & cat* "s fleet+ glimpses ( ! m   

unusual happ5+s 9 _! lives4 ,y may1 or  
may n1 em]ge f ?is exp]i5ce a bett]     
writ] ?an y 7 :5 y w5t 94 ,y\r /yle may 
become simpl] & m =ceful by newspap]    
tra9+4 ,or x may become tawdry1 sloppy &
 inane4  ,newspap]s1 obs]v$ ,*>les      
,lamb1 always excite curiosity4 ,no "o  
ev] lays "o d[n )\t a feel+ (           
disappo9tm5t4 ,t 0 true a hundr$ ye>s   
ago1 & appe>s to be j z true to-day4    
,=tunately1 ! m5 :o write ! news get m  
out ( ! "w ?an d _! read]s4 ,! report]  
usually c set d[n only a fraction ( !   
int]e/+ facts t he picks up ab\t a /ory4
 ,8 "w may be et]nally disappo9t+ to !  
public1 b x is r>ely half s dull to !   
man :o does ! writ+4  ,no life into :i* 
! av]age mod]n c dip is s ri* 9 int]e/ =
 ! fir/ ye> or two z t ( ! report] work+
 ^u g5]al assignm5ts4 ,a fl+ at hobo    
life1 t5 voyages at sea & m ?an two ye>s
 ( army life 7a ye> & a half ( ?is "t   
sp5t 9 trekk+ all ov] ! %att]$ l&scape (
 ,france7 d n %ake my conviction t !    
adv5tur] mo/ to be envi$ 9 our times is 

! cub report] enjoy+ ! fir/ ?rills &    
glamors ( break+ into pr9t4 ,!re is a   
sc5t 9 ! air1 :i*1 ?\gh x be only ink & 
pap]1 makes ! cub's blood c\rse fa/] !  
m9ute he /eps into ! (fice corridor2 & z
 he m\nts ! /airs to ! local room !     
?robb+ ( ! presses makes him wond] if   
?is is n lit]ally ! he>t ( ! city4  ,he 
makes 8 r\nds ( und]tak]s' %ops1        
c\rtrooms1 army & navy recruit+ (fices1 
railway /ations1 jails1 m>kets1 clubs1  
police & fire headqu>t]s4 ,he is s5t to 
picnics & sc5es ( murd]s4 ,he is "o ( ! 
gre5e/ ( novices 9 lit]>y adv5ture1 b1 q
 l an ,h4 ,g4 ,wells1 he meets 9 8      
community philosoph]s1 sci5tific m51    
soldi]s1 arti/s1 pr(essional m51        
politicians ( all sorts1 ! ri*1 ! great4
  ,he is und]paid & ov]work$4 ,he has no
 "t to give 8 writ+s lit]>y f9i%2 &1 9 !
 end1 unless he develops ei!r into a    
speciali/ or an executive1 he may we>   
himself out 9 h>d s]vice & be ca/ ^u !  
scrap heap4 ,at fir/1 ! life is ri* &   
v>i$4 ,!n1 aft] a :ile1 ! report] f9ds 8

 int]e/ gr[+ jad$4 ,! same k9d (        
assignm5t c>d keeps cropp+ up = him1 day
 aft] day4 ,he p]ceives t he is 9 a rut4
 ,he tells himself3 ,i've writt5 t same 
/ory half a doz5 times be=e4  ,!n is !  
"t = him to settle himself to d "s s]i\s
 ?9k+ ab\t 8 future4 ,does he h x 9 him 
to become an executive8 ,or does he     
discov] a special ta/e1 wor? cultivat+1 
= f9ance1 or sport1 or editorial writ+8 
,if s1 he has some?+ l a future 9 !     
newspap] (fice4  ,b if :at he really    
longs to d is to contribute to !        
magaz9es or to write books1 he is at !  
p>t+ ( ! ways4 ,he %\ld seize n[ ^u e   
opportunity to discov] topics ( wide    
int]e/1 & 9 8 sp>e "t he %\ld attempt to
 write articles on ^! topics & %ip !m (f
 to m>ket4  ,he has laid ! fir/ solid   
f\ndation ( successful freelanc+1 = if  
he has be5 able to survive z long z six 
mon?s 9 ! competition ( ! local room he 
has a nose = :at con/itutes a /ory4  ,! 
next ?+ he has to le>n is t an article =
 a magaz9e diff]s *iefly f a newspap]   

/ory 9 t ! magaz9e mu/ make a wid]      
appeal--to a national r ?an to a local  
int]e/4 ,! successful magaz9e writ] is  
simply a report] :o kn[s :at ! g5]al    
public likes to read1 & :o has le>n$ :5 
& :]e & h[ to m>ket :at he produces4    
,timel9ess is z important z ev]1 s he   
mu/ look to 8 t5ses4 ,! magaz9e article 
w n appe> until f t5 days to six mon?s  
or m aft] x is accept$4 ,"s ( our       
magaz9es beg9 mak+ up _! ,*ri/mas numb]s
 9 ,july1 s he mu/ le>n to sweat to !   
t9kle ( sleigh bells4  ,i wond] h[ _m   
hundr$s ( ambiti\s newspap] report]s are
 at ?is v m9ute urg+ !mselves to extra  
ef=t aft] h\rs & on _! preci\s holidays 
& ,sundays to te/ _! luck 9 ! magaz9e   
m>kets8 ,! numb] mu/ be consid]able if  
my exp]i5ce z a memb] ( ! editorial /aff
 ( a big national magaz9e all[s me to   
make a surmise4 ,i h read ?r\gh bu%els (
 manuscripts t _h ! e> m>ks ( ! newspap]
 (fice all ov] !m4 ,!y 7 typ$ on ! *eap 
k9d ( copy pap] t is us$ only 9 city    
rooms4 ,! fir/ %eet r>ely _h a title1 = 

! newspap] report]'s habit is to leave  
headl9e writ+ to a copy read]4 ,ink &   
du/ _h fill$ 9 su* lett]s z a & e & o4  
,mo/ ( ! manuscripts 7 done ) *>act]i/ic
 newspap] (fice ha/e1 & gave indication 
some:]e 9 ! text t ! au?or _h n ! fa9te/
 notion ( h[ f> 9 advance ( ! date l9e !
 magaz9e _h to make up its table (      
cont5ts4  ,_m ( ^! novices %[$ a promise
 9 skill t might give "s uneasy mom5ts  
to our mo/ prosp]\s magaz9e headl9]s4   
,if only !re 7 firm jaws back ( !       
promise6 ,^! m5 _h ! nose = j\rnali/ic  
success1 b t alone w n c>ry !m f> unless
 x is back$ ) a fight+ jaw4  ,i look    
back sometimes to cub days & "n ov] !   
report]s :o at t "t %[$ ! greate/       
ability4 ,?ree ( ! mo/ brilliant are    
/ill drudg+ along 9 ! old %op on g5]al  
assignm5ts1 = little m money ?an !y made
 t5 ye>s ago4 ,"o did a book ( real m]it
 & ! ef=t he exp5d$ ^u x ov]came him )  
ennui4 ,ano!r made ! mi/ake ( suppos+ t 
he c\ld p9 ,john ,b>leycorn's %\ld]s to 
! mat4 ,ano!r _h no initiative4 ,he is  

dy+ 9 8 tracks4  ,:o n[ are rat$ z      
successes on ! roll call ( ^? cub       
report] days8 ,n our g5iuses1 b a doz5  
fell[s :o _h ! mo/ det]m9ation &        
p]sev]ance4 ,! m5 :o won 7 ! m5 :o tri$1
 & tri$ aga9 & !n kept on try+4  ,mr4   
,dooley 0 q "r ab\t opportunity3        
,oppor*unity knocks at e man's dure     
wan/4 ,on "s m5's dures x hamm]s till x 
breaks d[n ! dure & goes 9 an' wakes him
 up if he's asleep1 an' af!rw>d x works 
fur him z a night wat*man4 ,on o!r m5's 
dures x knocks an' runs away2 an' on !  
dures ( o!r m5 x knocks1 an' :9 !y come 
out x hits ?im ov] ! head ) an ax4 ,b   
eviry wan has an oppor*unity4 ,s yez _h 
bett] kape y\r eye sk9n$ an' nab x be=e 
x %lips by an' is lo/ =evir4  ,! names  
on a big magaz9e's table ( cont5ts      
repres5t _m v>ieties ( ! vicissitudes ( 
=tune1 b ! prevail+ type is n a lucky   
g5ius1 "o = :om ,oppor*unity is work+ z 
a night wat*man4 ,! type is a firm-jaw$ 
plugg]4 ,8 nose is ke5 = good /ories1 8 
eye equally al]t to dodge ! ax or to nab

 ,oppor*unity's fleet+ coat-tails4      
,,*apt] ,,ii  ,,h[ ,,to ,,prep>e ,a     
,,manuscript   ,if y h a real /ory up   
y\r sleeve & "k h[ to ^w x 9 passable   
,engli%1 ! next ?+ to le>n is ! way to  
prep>e a manuscript 9 pr(essional =m =  
m>ket+4 ,9 ! non-fiction writ]'s work%op
 only two ma*9es are ess5tial to        
effici5cy & economy4 ,! fir/ ( ^!1 &    
absolutely indisp5sable1 is a typewrit]4
 ,! soon] y le>n to type y\r            
manuscripts1 ! bett] = y\r future & y\r 
pocketbook4  ,x is folly to submit      
contributions 9 h&writ+ to a busy editor
 :o has to read ?r\gh a bu%el (         
manuscripts a day4 ,! m legible !       
manuscript1 ! bett] are y\r *ances to w9
 a fair read+4 ,i w g fur!r1 & decl>e t 
a manuscript :i* has all ! e>m>ks ( be+ 
by a pr(essional is n only m c>efully   
read1 b also is likely to be treat$ ) m 
consid]ation :5 a decision is to be made
 ^u its value to ! publi%] 9 doll>s &   
c5ts4 ,put y\rself 9 ! editor's place & 
y w quickly en\gh grasp ! psy*ology (   

?is4  ,! editor kn[s t no pr(essional   
submits manuscripts 9 h&writ+1 t no     
pr(essional writes ^u bo? sides ( !     
%eet1 & t no pr(essional omits to       
enclose an address$ /amp$ envelope 9 :i*
 to return ! manuscript to its au?or if 
x proves unavailable = ! magaz9e's use4 
,:y br& y\rself z a novice ev5 be=e !   
manuscript read] has se5 y\r fir/       
s5t5ce8 ,rememb] y are compet+ =        
editorial att5tion aga9/ a :ole bu%el ( 
o!r manuscripts4 ,! girl :o op5s !      
magaz9e's mail may be tempt$ to ca/ y\r 
contribution into ! rejection basket on 
g5]al pr9ciples1 if y are fooli% en\gh  
to get away to su* a poor />t4 ,:at an  
ignom9i\s end to y\r lit]>y adv5ture is 
?is--& all because y 7 c>eless1 or      
didn't "k any bett]6  ,! writ] :o really
 means bus9ess w n neglect 9 any detail 
! psy*ology ( mak+ 8 manuscript invite a
 ?or\gh read+4 ,x may be bad =m to      
accept a d9n] invitation 9 typewrit+1 b 
x is inf9itely worse =m to fail to      
typewrite an invitation to editorial    

eyes to buy y\r manuscript4 ,good =m    
also dictates t ! fir/ page ( y\r       
contribution %\ld be> 9 ! upp] left h&  
corn] ( ! %eet y\r "n1 ^u ! fir/ l9e2 ! 
/reet address1 on ! second2 ! t[n &     
/ate1 on ! ?ird4 ,9 ! upp] "r h& corn]  
%\ld be set d[n an e/imate ( ! numb] (  
words conta9$ 9 ! manuscript4  ,leave a 
blank d[n to ! middle ( ! page4 ,!re1 9 
capitals1 write ! title ( ! article2 !n 
drop d[n a few l9es & type y\r p5 "n 7if
 y use "o7 or :atev] v]sion ( y\r       
signature t y wi% to h appe> above !    
article :5 x comes out 9 pr9t4 ,drop d[n
 a few m l9es be=e y beg9 ) ! text1 &   
ind5t ab\t an in* = ! beg9n+ ( ea*      
p>agraph4 ,"h is a model = y\r guidance3
         ,frank ,h4 ,jones1             
ab\t #cjjj       #bdaf ,front ,/41      
words       ,oswego1 ,ohio              
,,camp+ ,,on ,,indian ,,creek           
,by                          ,frank     
,h5ry ,jones       ,x took u two m9utes 
by ! clock to pack ev]y?+ we            
ne$$--& m1 = ! camp]-out always takes   

twice z      mu* junk z he c use4 ,all t
 0 left to d aft] t      etc41   ,!re   
are s\nd reasons = all ?is4 ,! fir/ is  
t1 likely en\gh1 y\r title may n        
altoge!r suit ! editor1 & he w require  
"s ( ! :ite space 9 ! upp] "p ( ! page =
 a revis$ v]sion4 ,also1 he w ne$ "s    
space ^u :i* to p5cil 8 directions to ! 
pr9t]s ab\t h[ to set ! type4  ,d\ble   
space y\r l9es4 ,if y leave no room     
betwe5 l9es1 y make x extremely         
difficult = ! editor to write 9 any     
corrections 9 ! text4 ,moreov]1 a solid 
mass ( s+le-spac$ typewrit+ is mu* h>d] 
to read ?an mat]ial t is d\ble-spac$4   
,use good :ite pap]1 ( ord9>y lett]     
size1 eight by elev5 in*es1 & leave a   
m>g9 ( ab\t an in* on ei!r side ( ! text
 & at bo? top & bottom4 ,numb] ea* page4
 ,don't write y\r copy ) a ribbon :i* is
 too worn to be bright2 &1 :ile y are   
ab\t x1 clean up ^? lett]s on ! typeb>s 
t h a t5d5cy to fill up ) ink & du/4 ,y 
may h notic$1 = example1 t a1 e1 o1 s1  
m1 & w are n always cle>-cut ^u ! page4 

,y are do+ all ?is to make ! read+ ( y\r
 contribution z easy a task z possible f
 ! purely physical side4 ,y are simply  
us+ a little common s5se 9 ! process (  
address+ y\rself to ! favorable att5tion
 ( a =ce ( extremely busy p]sons :o are 
paid to wade ?r\gh a =midable /ack (    
mail4  ,if y h an ov]p[]+ di/a/e = do+  
y\r own typewrit+1 y may hire a typi/ to
 turn y\r h&writt5 copy into some?+     
easi] to read4 ,?is proc$ure1 h[ev]1 may
 prove to be r too co/ly = a beg9n]'s   
purse4 ,x is ! "p ( wisdom to le>n to   
op]ate a ma*9e y\rself4 ,at fir/ ! task 
may seem r a t\gh "o1 b ev5 aft] s %ort 
a "t z a mon? ( practice y are likely to
 be surpris$ at ! progress y w make4    
,be=e long y w be able to write mu* fa/]
 ^u a ma*9e ?an ) a p5cil or a p54  ,!  
dang] !n lies 9 a temptation to ha/e &  
c>elessness4 ,?is is "o reason :y _m    
fa/idi\s magaz9e writ]s always d ! fir/ 
draft ( an article 9 longh& & turn to ! 
typewrit] only :5 !y are ready to set   
d[n ! f9al v]sion4 ,temp]am5t & habit   

%\ld decide ! matt]4 ,ne>ly any "o c    
le>n to compose newspap] copy at !      
keybo>d1 b n s _m ( u d>e attempt to d  
magaz9e articles at ! same high rate (  
spe$4 ,p>ticul>ly does ?is hold true ( !
 fir/ page ( a magaz9e manuscript4 ,!   
op5+ p>agraph ( su* a manuscript is     
likely to make a mu* m exact+ dem& ^u ! 
writ]'s skill ?an ! lead ( a newspap]   
/ory4 ,all t ! newspap] usually dem&s is
 t ! report] cram ! gi/ ( 8 facts into !
 fir/ few s5t5ces4 ,! magaz9e insi/s t !
 fir/ p>agraph ( a manuscript n only    
cat* att5tion b also s\nd ! keynote ( _m
 words to foll[1 = ! pun* ( ! magaz9e   
/ory is m (t5 ne> ! end ( ! article ?an 
! beg9n+4  ,?\gh ! te*nique ( newspap] &
 magaz9e writ+ may diff] on ?is matt] ( 
! lead1 d n make ! mi/ake ( suppos+ t ! 
magaz9e introduction ne$ n be j z *ock  
full ( int]e/ z ! op5+ ( a newspap]     
/ory4 ,y are no long] "u any compulsion1
 :5 y write = ! magaz9es1 to cram ! meat
 ( ! /ory into ! fir/ s5t5ce1 b "o ?+ y 
mu/ d--y mu/ r\se ! read] to sit up &   

li/54 ,y c well af=d to sp5d any am\nt (
 ef=t ^u t op5+ p>agraph4 ,write y\r    
lead a doz5 times1 a hundr$ times1 if   
necess>y1 until y make x rivet !        
att5tion4     ,,*apt] ,,iii  ,,h[ ,,to  
,,take ,,photographs   ,aft] he has     
b\ght or r5t$ a typewrit]1 ! w\ld-be    
free lance 9 ! non-fiction field has 8  
work%op only half equipp$4 ,"o m ma*9e  
is an urg5t necessity4 ,get a cam]a4    
,few ( our mod]n ,am]ican newspap]s &   
magaz9es are publi%$ )\t pictures2 s    
anybody ought to be able to p]ceive h[  
absurd x is to submit an unillu/rat$    
manuscript to an illu/rat$ p]iodical4   
,good photographs h won a m>ket = _m a  
manuscript t sc>cely w\ld h be5 giv5 a  
read+ if x _h arriv$ )\t int]e/+        
pictures2 & _m a well-writt5 article has
 be5 reluctantly return$ by ! editor    
because no photographs 7 available to   
illu/rate x4  ,!re is only "o way to    
dodge ?is issue4 ,j z y c hire a typi/  
to put y\r manuscript into legible =m1 y
 c pay a pr(essional photograph] to     

accompany y :]ev] y g & take !          
illu/rations = y\r text4 ,b ! same vital
 objection holds "h z 9 ! case ( !      
pr(essional typi/--! co/s w cut heavily 
into y\r pr(its4 ,) a little practice y 
c le>n to d ! "w y\rself4 ,aft] t1 y c  
op]ate at a small fraction ( ! exp5se ( 
hir+ a pr(essional4  ,y\r "w soon en\gh 
w be ( z high a quality z any?+ t !     
av]age comm]cial photograph] c produce1 
&1 bett] yet1 x w n h any flat & /ale   
comm]cial flavor ab\t x4 ,no?+ is m     
/atic & banal ?an ! composition t !     
ord9>y pr(essional w produce if y fail  
to prev5t him f hav+ 8 own way4 ,t5 to  
"o1 all ! l[] half ( ! picture w be     
empty =egr\nd1 & n a liv+ creature w    
appe> 9 ! entire field ( vision4  ,x co/
 ! pres5t writ] upw>d ( #aej to discov] 
?is fact4 ,!n he b\ght a ?irty doll>    
po/c>d kodak & a five doll> tripod &    
told ! :ole tribe ( pr(essionals to g to
 blazes4 ,! only "t s9ce !n t he has ev]
 _h to hire comm]cial aid 0 :5 he _h to 
h heavy fla%lights made ( l>ge rooms4   

,s save y\rself money n[1 in/ead (      
ev5tually4 ,ev5 if ?irty doll>s takes   
y\r la/ nickel1 don't hesitate4 ,= a    
beg9n+1 if y are inexp]i5c$ 9           
photography1 r5t a *eap ma*9e ) :i* to  
practice--a simple snap%ot box ) no     
adju/m5ts on x w d :ile y are pick+ up !
 fir/ inkl+s ( h[ to compose a picture &
 ( h[ mu* light is requir$ = diff]5t    
classes ( subjects4  ,aft] y h practic$ 
) ?is = a :ile1 g out & buy a fold+     
kodak4 ,if y h ! j\rnali/ic eye = :at is
 picturesque & newsy ! cam]a w quickly  
return #ajj p] c5t4 ^u ! inve/m5t4  ,!  
"o great difficulty = ! beg9n] 9        
photography is t he does n "k h[ to "t !
 exposure ( a picture4 ,! books on      
photography are all too te*nical4 ,!y   
discuss *emicals & pr9t+ pap]s & all !  
f9] %ad+s ( processes c>ri$ on 9        
laboratories "u a ruby light4 ,b :at !  
novice longs to "k is simply h[ to take 
pictures--:at exposure to all[ = a      
portrait1 :at = a /reet sc5e1 :at = a   
panorama4 ,he usually fails to give !   

portrait en\gh light1 & he gives !      
panorama too mu*4 ,he is will+ to all[ a
 pr(essional f9i%] to d 8 develop+ &    
pr9t+4 ,:at ! beg9n] wants to read is a 
*apt] on exposure4 ,z an op]ator1 he is 
seek+ = a rule ( h[ & "s examples ( its 
application4  ,if y lack a simple work+ 
!ory1 "h is "o n[1 9 prim] t]ms3  ,!    
clos] ! object :i* y wi% to photograph  
is to y\r l5s1 ! m light x requires2 !  
f>!r away x is1 ! less light x requires4
  ,?is may s\nd some:at unreasonable1 b 
t is h[ a cam]a works4 ,a portrait head1
 or any?+ else t mu/ be br\ght to )9 a  
few feet ( ! l5s1 requires ! greate/    
wid? ( %utt] ap]ture 7or1 :at comes to !
 same ?+1 ! longe/ exposure72 & a       
f>-away m\nta9 peak or a cl\d requires !
 smalle/ ap]ture 7or ! %orte/ exposure74
  ,to und]/& ?or\ghly :at ?is means1    
take (f ! back ( y\r kodak & h a look at
 h[ ! :eels g r\nd4 ,set ! po9t] ( ! "t 
dial on ! face ( y\r cam]a at ,t 7x     
means "t exposure7 & !n press ! bulb 7or
 pu% ! lev]7 :i* op5s ! %utt]4 ,look+   

?r\gh ! back ( y\r cam]a1 make ! light  
come ?r\gh ! l>ge/ wid? ( ! l5s4 ,y c d 
?is by pu%+ ! o!r po9t] on ! face ( y\r 
kodak to ! extreme left ( its scale--!  
l[e/ numb] indicat$4 ,on a kodak ) a ,u4
 ,s4 scale ?is numb] is #d4  ,y w see n[
 t ! light is com+ ?r\gh a hole ne>ly an
 in* 9 diamet]4 ,if x 7 a bright day y  
c\ld take portrait heads outdoors ?r\gh 
?is siz$ ap]ture ) an exposure ( "o     
tw5ty-fif? ( a second4  ,us+ ?is same   
am\nt ( "t1 ! size ( ! %utt] ap]ture    
%\ld be r$uc$ to a m]e p9 hole ( light  
to make a prop] exposure = f>-away      
m\nta9 tops1 cl\ds1 or boats 9 ! op5    
sea4  ,suppose we make our problem z    
simple z possible by leav+ ! tim] at "o 
tw5ty-fif? ( a second = all classes (   
subjects4 ,we w v>y only ! size ( ! hole
 ?r\gh :i* ! light is to ent]4  ,= a    
close-up1 a portrait head1 we op]ate ) !
 light com+ ?r\gh ! full wid? ( ! l5s4  
,n[ pu% to ! "r "o not* ! po9t] :i*     
r$uces ! size ( ! hole4 ,?is makes !    
light come ?r\gh a small] diamet]1 :i*  

on a ,u4 ,s4 scale w be m>k$ #h4 ,only  
half z mu* light is com+ ?r\gh n[ z     
be=e4 ,?is is ! /op at :i* to take full 
l5g? figures & _m o!r views 9 :i* !     
=egr\nd is unusually prom95t4 ,build+s  
:i* are n light 9 color %\ld also be    
tak5 ) ?is /op4 ,9 g5]al1 x is = heavy  
=egr\nds4  ,pu% ! po9t] on to #af4 ,if  
y\r scale is ,u4 ,s4 y w notice t ?is is
 midway betwe5 ! l>ge/ & ! smalle/ /ops4
 ,x is ! happy m$ium /op at :i*1 on     
bright days1 y c prop]ly expose = !     
great majority ( y\r subjects1 ^?       
hundr$s ( sc5es n close en\gh to ! l5s  
to be classifi$ z heavy =egr\nds nor yet
 f> en\gh away to be panoramas4 ,build+s
 :i* are light 9 color & sunny /reet    
sc5es fall into ?is division (          
exposures4 ,:5 9 d\bt1 take x at "o     
tw5ty-fif? ( a second ) /op #af4 ,y c't 
miss x f>1 "o way or ano!r4  ,pu% !     
po9t] on to #cb & ! object to be        
photograph$ ought to be at "s di/ance   
away4 ,?is is ! /op = ! op5 road & !    
sunlit fields--any?+ betwe5 an av]age   

view & a panorama4  ,at #fd ! scale is  
set = ! mo/ di/ant ( l& views1 bea*     
sc5es & boats 9 ! middle di/ance        
(f-%ore4 ,y w le>n by co/ly ov]exposures
 t wat] views require mu* less light ?an
 l&scapes4 ,photograph]s h an axiom t   
wat] is z bright z ! sky itself4 ,s at  
#fd1 :i* is prop] exposure = ! mo/      
di/ant ( l& panoramas1 y beg9 to take   
wat]scapes4  ,t t9ie/ p9 hole ( a /op1  
at ! extreme "r ( ! scale1 is nev] to be
 us$ except = su* subjects z ! op5 sea &
 sn[capp$ m\nta9 tops4  ,!re y h ! !ory4
 ,apply x ) common s5se & y w meet ) few
 failures4 ,y sc>cely ne$ to be caution$
 t if an object is d>k 9 color x w      
require proportionately m exposure ?an !
 same object if x is :ite4 ,?r\gh v>i\s 
wea!rs & seasons1 exp]i5ce w keep tea*+ 
y h[ to adapt ! rule to *ang+ conditions
 ( light4 ,c]ta9 h&books & exposure     
met]s w be ( s]vice :ile y are le>n+ !  
classifications ( subjects4  ,y h be5   
told h[ ! rule works4 ,press ! ,t bulb  
aga9 to click y\r %utt] %ut & prep>e to 

set out on a picture tak+ excursion4    
,set ! "t scale at "o tw5ty-fif? ( a    
second1 & leave x !re4 ,load up a film4 
,replace ! back ( ! cam]a4 ,take along a
 tripod4 ,don't =get t tripod6 ,) t y   
insure y\rself aga9/ gett+ y\r          
composition askew1 or los+ a good       
picture on acc\nt ( a %aky h&4  ,suppose
 ! exp$ition is gunn+ some:]e 9 !       
backwoods4 ,d[n ! /ony w9d+ road saunt]s
 "o ( ! natives 9 a two-piece suit4     
,ov]alls & a hickory %irt con/itute 8   
entire outfit4 ,he gr[s a be>d to save  
himself ! labor ( %av+4 ,8 lea!ry feet  
sc>cely feel ! %>p /ones ( ! highway4   
,"h is a picture wor? pres]v+1 = !      
crack] type is becom+ a r>ity1 almo/    
ext9ct4 ,set y\r po9t] at #h & take 8   
full l5g?4 ,if y wi% a close-up ( 8     
head1 set ! po9t] at #d4  ,a little f>!r
 & ! road plunges into a %ady valley4   
,"u ! trees ahead is a log cab91 dappl$ 
) ! sunlight & ! %ade ( danc+ leaves4   
,use y\r judgm5t ab\t :e!r su* a sc5e   
requires #h or #d4 ,if 9 d\bt1 use #d1 =

 ! dang] "h is t y may "u-expose4  ,9 a 
cle>+ :]e ! %ade ( ! trees has little   
effect1 /&s an old wat] p[] mill4 ,x is 
simply an av]age view1 & y c safely snap
 x ) a #af /op4  ,! fri5dly razorback   
hogs "u ! mail hack make a picture ) a  
heavy =egr\nd4 ,!y fall into ! #h       
classification--half 9 %ade1 half 9     
sunlight4  ,! road leads u at la/ to a  
riv]4 ,an old-fa%ion$ f]ry boat is mak+ 
a cross+ 9 mid/ream4 ,f ! hilltop :]e we
 fir/ survey x ! sc5e is a l&scape1     
di/ant view1 & c be tak5 ) a #cb4 ,b :5 
y get d[n to ! wat]'s edge & %oot across
 ! %9+ riv]1 bew>e ( ov]exposure4 ,/op  
d[n ano!r not*4  ,d y see n[ h[ ! !ory  
works8 ,give x a fair trial & y w agree 
t tak+ pictures--! m]e tak+1 ) no bo!r+ 
y\r head ab\t develop+1 pr9t+1 ton+ & ! 
l--is a matt] no m baffl+ ?an ! simple  
art ( le>n+ to pun* ! lett]s on !       
keybo>d ( a typewrit]4 ,keep at x1 nev] 
neglect+ an opportunity to practice4    
,keep exp]im5t+1 until y c f>e =? 9 any 
sort ( wea!r & "k t y w be able to br+  

back some?+ pr9table ^u y\r film or     
plate4 ,if ! day is n bright1 %ove y\r  
tim] ov] to "o-t5? ( a second1 or to    
"o-fif?4  ,c]ta9 exp]ts 9 photography w 
bitt]ly d]ide ?is advice to keep ! "t   
set at "o tw5ty-fif? ( a second & to v>y
 no?+ b ! size ( ! l5s ap]ture4 ,!y w   
po9t out--& be q "r ab\t x--t ! small] !
 ap]ture ! %>p] ! image1 & t a m        
pr(essional me?od ( proc$ure is to v>y !
 tim+ s z to take all pictures ) small  
/ops4  ,to :i* ,i c only answ] t ?is is 
all well en\gh = ! tra9$ photograph] & t
 9 ^! days ( my semi-pr(essionalism ,i  
practice t same sort ( ?+ myself4 ,b 9 !
 beg9n+ ,i 0 duly grateful to ! man :o  
gave me ! gold5 maxim ( ! clos] !       
object1 ! l>g] ! /op2 ! m di/ant !      
object1 ! small] ! /op--a piece ( advice
 :i* enabl$ a novice1 ) only "o simple  
adju/m5t to worry ab\t1 to take a       
passably %>p1 prop]ly expos$ picture4 ,s
 ,i pass ! ^w along to y = :atev] x may 
be wor?4     ,,*apt] ,,iv  ,,f9d+ ,a    
,,m>ket   ,a nose = news1 "s p]sev]ance1

 a typewrit] & a cam]a h ?us f> be5 li/$
 z ! equipm5t mo/ ess5tial to success = 
a writ] ( non-fiction :o sets out to    
trade 9 ! p]iodical m>ket z a free      
lance4 ,r brief m5tion has be5 made ( ! 
matt] ( lit]>y /yle4 ,?is is n because !
 writ] ( ?is book lacks rev]5ce = lit]>y
 craftsman%ip4 ,x is simply because1 ) !
 facts />+ him 9 ! face1 he mu/ set d[n 
8 conviction t a poli%$ /yle is n a     
matt] ( trem5d\s importance to ! av]age 
editor ( ! av]age ,am]ican p]iodical4   
,j\rnali/s s clumsy t1 9 ! graphic      
phrase ( a %ort grass poet1 !y seem to  
write ) _! feet1 sell manuscripts )     
clock-l regul>ity to fir/-class m>kets4 
,! magaz9es1 l ! newspap]s1 employ      
re-write m5 to take crude manuscripts to
 pieces1 rebuild !m & give !m a         
pres5table poli%4 ,! matt] ( prime      
importance to mo/ ( our ,am]ican editors
 is an article's cont5t 9 ! way ( vital 
facts & human int]e/4 ,^u ! matt] ( /yle
 ! typical editor appe>s to take ,mat!w 
,arnold's words q lit]ally3  ,p ?9k t ,i

 c tea* !m /yle4 ,:at /uff x all is6 ,h 
some?+ to say1 & say x z cle>ly z y c4  
,t is ! only secret ( /yle4  ,no        
embitt]$ collector ( rejection slips w  
believe me :5 ,i decl>e t ! dem& =      
wor?-:ile articles always exce$s !      
supply 9 ,am]ican magaz9e m>kets4 ,none 
! less x is true1 z e editor kn[s to 8  
con/ant sorr[4 ,! appetite ( our hundr$s
 ( p]iodicals = real /ories nev] has be5
 satisfi$4 ,! m5u has to be fill$ out ) 
a regrettable proportion ( bran &       
ersatz4  ,! fact t a manuscript lacks   
all *>m ( /yle w n bla/ its *ances (    
acceptance if ! /ory is all !re & is    
typ$ into a pres5table appe>ance &      
illu/rat$ ) int]e/+ photographs4 ,a good
 /yle w enhance ! manuscript's value1 b 
want ( v]bal skill r>ely w prove a fatal
 blemi%4 ,n s long z !re are re-write m5
 ar\nd ! %op6  ,x is n a lack ( arti/ry 
t adm9i/]s ! mo/ num]\s defeats to !    
novice free lance4 ,x is a lack ( m>ket 
judgm5t4 ,:5 he has complet$ 8          
manuscript he sits d[n & hopefully mails

 x out to ! fir/ m>ket t /rikes 8 fancy4
 ,he %oots into ! d>k1 tru/+ to luck4   
,a huge army ( disappo9t$ scribbl]s h   
foll[$ t haphaz>d plan ( battle4 ,!y    
w\ld "k bett] ?an to try to m>ket crates
 ( eggs to a %oe /ore1 b !y see no?+    
equally absurd 9 %ipp+ a popul> sci5ce  
article to ! ,atlantic ,mon?ly or an    
uplift essay to ! ,sm>t ,set4 ,!y pap]  
_! walls ) rejection slips1 fill up a   
trunk ) return$ manuscripts & pose be=e 
_! sympa!tic fri5ds z m>tyrs4  ,_m ( ^! 
defeat$ writ]s h nose-s5se = :at is (   
national int]e/4 ,!y write well1 & !y   
take ! necess>y pa9s to make _!         
manuscripts pres5table 9 appe>ance4 ,if 
!y only knew en\gh to (f] _!            
contributions to suitable m>kets1 !y    
soon w\ld be scor+ successes4 ,:at !y   
c't get into _! heads is t ! names 9 an 
index ( p]iodicals repres5t ne$s z      
widely v>i$ z ! names 9 a city          
directory4  ,take1 = example1 five ( our
 lead+ weeklies3 ,! ,saturday ,ev5+     
,po/1 ,colli]'s1 ,leslie's1 ,! ,outlook 

& ,! ,indep5d5t4 ,!y all use articles ( 
m or less timel9ess1 b beyond ?is "o    
simil>ity !y are no m alike 9 "* ?an an 
,am]ican1 an ,iri%man1 an ,engli%man1 a 
,wel%man & a ,scot4 ,y\r burn+ hot news 
/ory :i* ,! ,saturday ,ev5+ ,po/ turn$  
d[n may h be5 reject$ because ! huge    
circulation ( ! ,po/ necessitates t its 
copy g to press six or sev5 weeks be=e x
 appe>s ^u ! news/&s4 ,y %\ld h tri$ ,! 
,indep5d5t1 :i* makes a specialty (     
gett+ hot /uff into circulation be=e x  
has "t to cool4 ,y\r int]view ) a big   
man ( ,wall ,/reet :i* 0 return$ by ,!  
,outlook might f9d a w>m welcome at     
,leslie's4 ,a "* sket* ( ! ,democratic  
c&idate = ,presid5t might n please      
,leslie's 9 ! lea/1 b w\ld fet* a good  
price f ,colli]'s4 ,y\r article on !    
,prairie ,poets might be reject$ by ?ree
 o!r weeklies1 b prove q acceptable to  
,! ,outlook4  ,:5 y h complet$ a        
manuscript1 =get ! inspiration t w5t    
into its writ+ & give cold & sob] second
 ?\ght to ?is matt] ( m>ket+4 ,!        

,outlook might h b\ght ! article t      
,colli]'s reject$4 ,colli]'s might h    
b\ght ! "o t ,! ,outlook reject$4 ,e    
exp]i5c$ writ] w tell y t ?is sort ( ?+ 
happ5s e day4  ,don't snort 9 disda9    
because ! editor ( ,! ,ladies' ,home    
,j\rnal rejects a contribution on       
economics4 ,maybe ! lady's husb& w\ld l 
x4 ,s try x on ,! ,_w's ,"w1 or         
,leslie's or ,sy/em4 ,x might w9 y a    
place ( honor1 ) y\r "n blazon$ on !    
cov]4  ,too _m disc\rag$ novices believe
 t ! bromide ( ! rejection              
slip--rejection implies no lack (       
m]it--is simply a piece ( s>casm4 ,x is 
no?+ ( ! sort4 ,9 t5s ( ?\s&s ( in/ances
 x is a solemn fact4 ,don't sulk & b]ate
 ! editors :o return y\r manuscript1 b  
c>efully read ! contribution aga91 try+ 
to =get = ! mom5t t x is "o ( y\r own   
preci\s bra9 *ildr54 ,cold-blood$ly size
 x up z some?+ to sell4 ,!n y may       
p]ceive t y h be5 try+ to m>ket a crate 
( eggs at a %oe /ore4 ,eggs are none !  
less preci\s on t acc\nt4 ,try          

aga9--apply+ ?is "t to a groc]4 ,if he  
doesn't buy1 x w be because he already  
has all ! eggs on h& t he ne$s4 ,9 t    
ev5t1 look up ! addresses ( "s m groc]s4
  ,! same common s5se pr9ciples apply 9 
sell+ manuscripts to ! magaz9es &       
newspap]s z 9 m>ket+ any o!r k9d (      
produce4 ,! top prices g to ! fell[ :o  
deliv]s 8 goods fre% & 9 good ord] to   
buy]s :o /& 9 ne$ ( 8 p>ticul> sort (   
/aple4 ,compos+ a manuscript may be art1
 b sell+ x is bus9ess4  ,naturally1 x   
requires practice to become exp]t 9     
pick+ topics ( wide en\gh appeal to     
int]e/ ! public :i* reads magaz9es (    
national circulation4 ,e beg9n]1 except 
an inspir$ g5ius1 is likely to be       
oppress$ ) a s5se ( hopelessness :5 he  
is mak+ 8 fir/ desp]ate attempts to     
break 94 ,! writ] c te/ify feel+ly on   
?is po9t f 8 own exp]i5ce4 ,kansas ,city
 0 !n my base ( op]ations1 & x seem$ z  
if ,i nev] possibly c\ld f9d any?+ 9 t  
f> inl& locality wor?y ( nation-wide    
att5tion4 ,ev]y?+ ,i wrote b\nc$ back ) 

a pr9t$ rejection slip4  ,at la/1 h[ev]1
 ,i discov]$ a /ory t appe>$ to be (    
und5iable national appeal4 ,miss\ri1 = !
 fir/ "t 9 ?irty-six ye>s1 _h elect$ a  
,republican gov]nor4 ,i decid$ t ! sure/
 m>ket = ?is w\ld be a magaz9e deal+ )  
p]sonality sket*es4 ,if a magaz9e ( t   
type w\ld n buy ! /ory1 ,i 0 will+ to   
own myself :ipp$4  ,on ! aft]noon :5 we 
7 all sure t ,h]b]t ,hadley _h won1 ,i  
begg$ a big li?ograph$ portrait ( !     
gov]nor-elect f a cig> /ore man :o _h   
display$ x prom95tly 9 8 front w9d[4    
,!re 0 no "t1 !n1 to se>* = a           
photograph4 ,a ?rill ( conviction p]vad$
 me t at la/ my f+]s 7 on a /ory t no   
magaz9e editor1 h[ev] mu* he might hate 
to recognize ! wor? ( new au?ors1 c\ld  
af=d to reject4  ,! newspap] (fice files
 ( clipp+s gave me all ! in=mation      
necess>y = a brief biography2 !         
li?ograph %\ld s]ve = an illu/ration4   
,by midnight t ,irresi/ible ,w$ge =     
ent]+ ! magaz9es 0 9 ! mails4444 ,sure  
en\gh1 ! editors ( ,human ,life b\ght x4

 ,&1 by "s miracle ( spe$ 9 magaz9e mak+
 nev] expla9$ to ?is day1 !y pr9t$ x 9  
_! next mon?'s issue4  ,! moral ( ?is 0 
obvi\s--t 9 ! prop] m>ket a real /ory1  
ev5 ?\gh x be some:at ha/ily writt51 w  
receive a s9c]e welcome4 ,! week aft]   
?is ,irresi/ible ,w$ge appe>$ 9 pr9t ,i 
?rew up my job z a report] & div$ (f ( !
 spr+bo>d into free lanc+4 ,a small bank
 acc\nt gave me assurance t !re 0 no    
imm$iate p]il ( />v+1 & ,i wisely kept a
 connection ) ! local newspap]4 ,9 case 
disa/] ov]took me1 ,i knew :]e ,i c\ld  
f9d a job aga94     ,,*apt] ,v  ,a      
,,beg9n]',s ,,fir/ ,,adv5tures   ,:at   
happ5$ to me 9 mak+ a beg9n+ z a free   
lance produc] ( non-fiction might happ5 
to any "o else ( an equal am\nt (       
inexp]i5ce4 ,my home t[n _h no          
pr(essional magaz9e writ] to :om ,i c\ld
 turn = advice2 & ?\gh ,i dev\r$ scores 
( books ab\t writ+1 !y 7 *iefly conc]n$ 
ei!r ) ! newspap] bus9ess or ) !        
te*nique ( fiction1 & !y all fail$ to   
get d[n to brass tacks ab\t my own      

press+ problem1 :i* 0 h[ to write & sell
 magaz9e articles4 ,i 0 n seek+ any m   
,,abc advice ab\t newspap] /ories1 nor  
did ,i feel ! lea/ urge t[>d produc+    
fiction4 ,i ?ir/$ to f9d out h[ to      
prep>e & m>ket a manuscript to ,!       
,saturday ,ev5+ ,po/ or ,colli]'s1 b !  
books 9 ! public libr>y 7 all ab\t !    
%ort /ory & ! novel1 ,sunday features1 !
 evolution ( ! pr9t+ press or !         
adv5tures ( a sob si/] on an aft]noon   
daily4  ,s ,i _h to g out & get my      
education z a magaz9e writ] 9 a s*ool ( 
t\gh exp]i5ces4 ,a few ( ^! exp]i5ces   
are "h record$1 9 ! hope t "s ( !       
lessons t 7 en=c$ ^u me may be ( help to
 o!r beg9n]s4  ,! imm$iate results ( my 
plunge into free lanc+ 73  ,,janu>y--n  
"o c5t4  ,,febru>y--#ej4df4 ,sev5 doll>s
 ( ?is 0 = ! magaz9e article4 ,no o!r   
magaz9e acceptances _h foll[$ ! ,w$ge4  
,i _h n yet caught ! national viewpo9t1 
nor _h ,i pick$ up mu* practical        
in=mation ab\t ! magaz9e m>kets4  ,by   
,m>* x 0 becom+ pa9fully evid5t t a     

fl$gl+ free lance %\ld1 if he is wise1  
dep5d = a :ile ^u a local newspap] = !  
l>g] "p ( 8 income4 ,9 a s*ool ( h>d    
knocks ,i le>n$ to sell /ories ( purely 
local int]e/ to ! ,kansas ,city m>ket1  
topics ( /ate-wide int]e/ to ! ,/4 ,l\is
 ,sunday editors1 & contributions ^:    
appeal 0 z wide z ! ,gulf ( ,mexico to  
newspap]s 9 ,*icago & ,new ,york4  ,also
 ,i le>n$ t if ! free lance hopes to    
make any ( ^! m>kets take a lively      
int]e/ 9 him1 he w introduce 8          
manuscripts ) int]e/+ photographs4 ,i   
r5t$ a little black cube ( a cam]a =    
tw5ty-five c5ts a day4 ,x _h a univ]sal 
focus & no?+ to bo!r ab\t 9 ! way (     
adju/m5ts4 ,to op]ate x y peek$ into !  
range f9d]1 !n ?rew a lev]4 ,its l5s 0 s
 sl[ t no pictures c\ld be tak5 ) x     
except 9 bright sunlight4  ,i wrote ab\t
 motor c>s1 will[ f>ms1 celebrities1    
freaks ( nature 9 ! city p>ks1 catfi% & 
junk heaps--any?+ ( :i* ,i c\ld snap    
int]e/+ photographs & f9d en\gh text to 
c>ry ! picture4  ,m>* saw me e>n #abf4jj

 by do+ assignm5ts = ! city editor 9 !  
morn+s & /ories at space rates 9 !      
aft]noons = ! ,sunday section4 ,at night
 ,i plugg$ away at manuscripts hopefully
 int5d$ = national p]iodicals4 ,b n     
until late 9 ,septemb] did ,i l& 9 a big
 magaz9e4 ,!n--! ?rill t comes once 9 a 
lifetime--,i sold an article to         
,colli]'s4 ,x requir$ trem5d\s en]gy to 
keep up su* a pace1 b !re 0 sweet com=t 
9 ! ?\ght t1 te*nically at lea/1 ,i 0 n[
 my own boss4 ,gradually1 ,i broke away 
f assignm5t "w until ,i 0 free to write 
:at ,i lik$ & to g :]e ,i pleas$4  ,f   
f9d+ mat]ial 9 ! city1 ,i adv5tur$ into 
"s ( ! ne>-by t[ns 9 ,miss\ri & ,kansas1
 & soon 0 argu+ a !ory t 9 e small t[n !
 local correspond5ts ( big city         
newspap]s are con/antly ov]look+ pay    
/reaks ( good feature /ories4 ,usually  
,i w\ld />t out ) tw5ty-five doll>s &   
keep mov+ until ,i w5t broke4 ,a railway
 j\rney no long] meant1 z 9 reportorial 
days1 a banquet 9 ! d9+-c> & a *air on !
 obs]vation plat=m1 *>g$ up on an exp5se

 acc\nt4 ,(t5 en\gh ,i slept 9 a day    
coa*1 my head pill[$ on a kodak wrapp$ 9
 a sweat] ve/4 ,! elevation 0 j "r = a  
pill[2 & at ! same "t ! travel] 0 insur$
 aga9/ !ft ( 8 mo/ preci\s possession1 a
 br& new fold+ cam]a ( po/ c>d size4  ,=
 ! little snap%ot box soon %[$ its      
weakness 9 an em]g5cy & _h to be replac$
 ) a bett] ma*9e :i* _h an adju/able    
diaphragm1 a tim+ app>atus1 a focus+    
scale & a front l an accordion4 ,"o     
aft]noon x _h happ5$ t :ile two hundr$  
miles f a city & tw5ty f ! ne>e/        
railroad1 ! snap%ot box _h be5 useless  
baggage = two h\rs1 :ile an anxi\s free 
lance sat p]*$ on ! cre/ ( an ,oz>k     
m\nta9 /udy+ an ov]ca/ sky & pray+ = "s 
sunlight4 ,at la/ ! sun blaz$ out = half
 a m9ute & ! lev] click$ 9 exultation4  
,?is exp]i5ce en=c$ a lesson3 ,le>n to  
take any sort ( picture1 indoors or out1
 on l& or wat]1 9 any sort ( wea!r4     
,aft] ,i got ! new ma*9e1 ) a tripod to 
insure /ability & consequ5t %>pness (   
outl9e1 a piece ( lemon-color$ glass =  

cl\d photography & ano!r extra l5s =    
portrait "w1 ,i began snapp+ at any?+ t 
held out ev5 ! fa9te/ promise ( all[+ me
 to cle> exp5ses 9 ! c\rse ( acquir+    
ne$$ exp]i5ce4 ,i photograph$ !         
neighbors' *ildr51 h\ses (f]$ = sale1   
d[nt[n /reet sc5es & any numb] (        
x-m>ks-!-spot-(-!-accid5t4  ,:5 a       
cyclone cut a swa? ?r\gh "o ( our       
suburbs1 ,i ru%$ half-a-doz5 photographs
 to ,leslie's1 feel+ aga9 "s ( ! same   
?rill+ sort ( confid5ce t _h accompani$ 
! fir/ ,irresi/ible ,w$ge4 ,back came   
?ree doll>s = a s+le pr9t4 ,r a pr\d    
day1 t6 ,nev] be=e _h "o ( my pr9ts sold
 = m ?an fifty c5ts4  ,!re 7 ev5+s aft] 
t :5 ,i m$itat$ giv+ ! writ+ game       
good-by 9 favor ( photography2 & _m a "t
 s9ce !n ! old temptation has recurr$4  
,! wond] ( cat*+ lovely sc5]y 9 a box & 
( wat*+ film & pr9t reproduce x 9 black 
& :ite keeps ev] fre% & fasc9at+ to me1 
gratify+ an in/9ct = composition 9 "o ^:
 f+]s are too clumsy to attempt to draw 
or pa9t4 ,9 ^? e>ly days ( my adv5tures 

9 photography an editor came v ne> !    
lit]al tru? :5 he s>ca/ically obs]v$3   
,"y man1 life to y seems to be j "o long
 undevelop$ film4  ,p>allel ) improvem5t
 9 skill z a photograph]1 ,i develop$ a 
work+ plan to insure m pr(itable        
excursions afield4 ,my int]e/$ fri5ds   
among editors & report]s gladly gave me 
h9ts ab\t possible out-(-t[n s\rces (   
/ories1 & ,i /udi$ ! news columns1 ev5  
to ! f9e type ( ! ,miss\ri & ,kansas    
/ate notes1 ) all ! avidity ( an ag$    
hobo dev\r+ a newspap] 9 ! public       
libr>y4 ,= e possibility ,i made out a  
c>d index memor&um1 z--                 
,,kanapolis1 ,,kas4       ,geographical 
c5t] ( ! c\ntry4 ,once propos$ z !      
capital ( ! nation--& ( ! /ate (        
,kansas4 ,n[ a      :i/l+ /ation & a    
rock salt plant4  ,= ea* memor&um ,i    
/uck a p9 9 ! /ate maps pa/$ on ! wall (
 my work%op4 ,:5 !re 7 sev]al p9s 9 any 
neighborhood1 ,i w\ld sl+ my kodak ov]  
my %\ld]1 ! c>ry+ case /rapp$ to !      
tripod-top1 l a tramp ) a bundle at !   

end ( a /ick4 ,& !n away1 ) an extra    
pair ( socks & a h>monica = baggage4    
,besides ! mat]ial t ,i felt c]ta9 (    
f9d+ ?r\gh advance in=mation1 luck      
always c\ld be tru/$ to turn up "s      
additional /ories4 ,! quicke/ way to f9d
 out :at !re 0 to write ab\t 9 a t[n 0  
simply to walk into ! local newspap]    
(fice1 introduce myself & ask = "s tips 
ab\t possible features4 ,i _c recall t  
any "o ev] refus$ me1 or ev] fail$ to   
?9k ( some?+ wor? :ile4  ,i d n "k yet  
:e!r :at ,i discov]$ !n is a bus9ess or 
n1 b ,i made a liv+ out ( x4 ,:]eas     
report+ on a sal>y _h begun to be some?+
 ( a gr9d1 ! less pr(itable roam+s ( a  
free lance furni%$ a life t _h color &  
ev]la/+ fre%ness4  ,sometimes1 tru/+ 9 !
 little gods ( ! improvid5t1 ,i 0 lur$  
into ! backwoods ( ! ,oz>ks by su* a "n 
z ,m\nta9 ,home1 :i* caught my fancy on 
! map2 & ) no def9ite /ories 9 m9d ,i   
w\ld g saunt]+ f ,n[h]e-9-,p>ticul> 9   
,nor!rn ,arkansas to ,someplace ,else 9 
,s\!rn ,miss\ri1 snapp+ pictures by !   

roadside & scribbl+ a few necess>y      
notes4 ,"o ( ^? excursions1 :i* co/     
#bd4ce1 has br\ght a return1 to date1 ( 
m ?an #bej1 :i* ( c\rse does n include !
 wor? ( a five days' l>k ) a "y ,iri%man
 :o w5t on ! trip z a novel =m ( summ]  
vacation4  ,he f\nd all ! novelty he    
c\ld h hop$ =4 ,aft] "s truly lyric     
passages ( life 9 ,arkansas1 :5 we felt 
positively homesick ab\t leav+ "o t[n to
 g on to ano!r1 we rea*$ a railroad-less
 c\nty 9 ,miss\ri infe/$ ) fleas2 & to  
secure a disc\nt on ! /age f>e on !     
?irty-five-mile drive f ,ga9sville to   
,we/ ,pla9s 7we _h to h a disc\nt to    
save en\gh to buy some?+ to eat t night7
 we play$ ! h>monica = our driv]'s      
amusem5t until we gasp$ l fi%4 ,8 s\l 0 
t\*$ ei!r by ! melody or by pity1 & he  
left u en\gh small *ange to provide a   
supp] ( *eese & crack]s4  ,"s happ5+s t 
mu/ s\nd mu* m wor? :ile 9 ! e>s ( !    
mundane h foll[$1 b ^? fir/ days ( free 
lanc+ seem to me to be among ! *oice/ 9 
a j\rnali/ic adv5tur]'s exp]i5ce4       

,enc\nt]s ) a v>iety ( celebrities s9ce 
!n h prov$ no :it m ?rill+ ?an !        
discov]y t our ho/1 ,j]ry ,s\? ( ,m\nta9
 ,home1 0 lieut5ant-gov]nor ( ,arkansas2
 & ?\gh ,i h roam$ 9 five nations1 no   
food t ,i ev] h ta/$ s ne>ly approa*es t
 ( ! gods z ! /rawb]ry %ortcake we ate 9
 ,b]gman4  ,ev5 9 ! crass matt] (       
pr(its1 ,i f\nd ! small t[n ri*] 9      
easily h>ve/able /ories ?an ! bigge/    
city 9 ! _w4 ,a few ye>s lat] ,i sp5t a 
week 9 ,london1 b ,i pick$ up less !re  
to write ab\t ?an ,i f\nd 9 ,sabe?a1    
,kansas1 9 a s+le aft]noon4 ,sabe?a     
furni%$3  ,half ( ! mat]ial = a motor c>
 article4 7,:5 automobiles 7 /ill a     
novelty to ! rural population47 ,?is    
sold to ,leslie's4  ,an article on      
gasol9e-propell$ railway coa*es1 = ,!   
,illu/rat$ ,_w4  ,a %ort contribution on
 sci5tific municipal managem5t ( public 
utilities 9 a small t[n1 = ,colli]'s4   
,a "* sket* ab\t a local philan?ropic   
money l5d]1 = ,leslie's & ! ,kansas     
,city ,/>4  ,an acc\nt ( ! ,kansas      

,ami%1 a sect some?+ l ! ,tol/oys1 =    
,kansas ,city1 ,/4 ,l\is & ,new ,york   
newspap]s4  ,%ort ,sunday specials ab\t 
a #dj1jjj hospital & a ?or\ghly mod]n   
,kansas f>m h\se = ,kansas ,city & ,/4  
,l\is ,sunday sections4  ,! pr(its ( ^! 
excursions 7 n always imm$iate1 & until 
aft] ,i _h work$ _m weeks at ! trade !re
 7 p]iods ( s]i\s f9ancial emb>rassm5t4 
,to cite pr(itable trips too e>ly is to 
get ahead ( my /ory1 b ! "t is none !   
less propiti\s to rem>k t a c\ntry t[n  
or a small city c]ta9ly is z good a     
place = ! free lance to op]ate 7once he 
kn[s a /ory :5 he sees x7 z is ,new     
,york or ,*icago1 ,bo/on1 ,new ,orleans 
or ,san ,francisco4 ,i (t5 wond] if ,i  
w\ld n h be5 bett] (f f9ancially if ,i  
_h kept on work+ f a ,kansas ,city      
headqu>t]s in/ead ( emigrat+ to ! ,ea/4 
,i might h gone on ?is way = a long "t1 
9 cont5tm5t1 = my pr(its 7 /eadily m\nt+
 & my m>kets ext5d+4 ,b "o day my w&]+s 
ext5d$ z f> z ,*icago1 & !re ,i ran     
across an old fri5d ( /ud5t days4 ,he _h

 be5 ! c>tooni/ ( ! college magaz9e :5  
,i 0 its editor4 ,he wore1 droop+ f "o  
corn] ( 8 face1 a rah-rah bulldog pipe2 
an enorm\s portfolio full ( enormities (
 draw+ 0 "u "o arm1 &1 dangl+ at ! end (
 ! o!r1 0 "o ( ! t9ie/ sat*els t ev]    
conceal$ a nightg[n4  ,9 answ] to       
que/ions ab\t :at he 0 do+ ) himself1 he
 confess$ t he 0 n mak+ out any bett]   
?an mo/ o!r newly graduat$ /ud5ts ( art4
 ,i argu$ t if ,*icago did n treat him  
consid]ately1 he ought to head = ,new   
,york1 :]e real g5ius1 m ?an likely1    
w\ld be m quickly appreciat$4 ,also1 if 
?is 0 to 8 lik+1 ,i w\ld invite myself  
to g along ) him4  ,we w5t4 ,n[ s+1 ,o  
,muse1 ! slaught]6     ,,*apt] ,,vi  ,,9
 ,,new ,,york',s ,,fleet ,,/reet   ,!   
inexp]i5c$ free lance :o attempts to    
invade ,new ,york1 z we did1 ) no       
magaz9e reputation & no fri5ds at c\rt  
among ! exp]ts ( ! p]iodical m>ket1 may 
be assur$ t he w receive a surpris+     
am\nt ( c\rtesy4 ,b ?is c\rtesy is      
likely to be adm9i/]$ to help s(t5 !    

bl[s ( a s]ies ( disappo9tm5ts4 ,anybody
 b a g5ius or "o ( =tune's d>l+s may    
expect t ,new ,york1 :i* has a deep &   
natural di/ru/ ( /rang]s1 w require t ! 
newcom] e>n 8 bread 9 blood-sweat until 
he has e/abli%$ a reputation = produc+ !
 goods4 ,de> old simple-he>t$ ,fa!r     
,knick]bock] has be5 gold-brick$ s (t5 t
 a breezy1 fri5dly mann] puts him       
imm$iately on 8 gu>d4  ,mo/ ( ! editors 
) :om y w h to deal are home folks1 l   
y\rself1 f ,oskaloosa & ,ri*mond &      
,santa ,b>b>a & ,qu9cy4 ,few are        
native-born ,new ,york]s1 & sc>cely any 
( !m g ar\nd ) _! noses 9 ! air 9 an    
up/age ,ea/]n mann]4 ,mo/ ( !m are      
graduates ( ! newspap] s*ool1 & remnants
 ( newspap] cynicism occasionally appe> 
9 _! outspok5 philosophy4 ,b be n       
deceiv$ by ?is1 = ev5 9 ! newspap] (fice
 ! half-bak$ cub :o is gett+ 8 fir/     
glimpses ( woman's frailties & man's    
weak w is ! only cynic :o means all he  
says4 ,all report]s :o are wor? _! salt 
mell[ ) ! ye>s2 & editors :o am\nt to   

mu* usually are ex-report]s tra9$ to _! 
jobs by long exp]i5ce4 ,! bigge/ editors
 & ! ones ) ! bigge/ he>ts h ! bigge/   
jobs4 ,mo/ ( ! snubs y w receive w come 
f little m5 9 little jobs1 try+ to      
impress y ) a front4 ,! bigge/ editors (
 ! lot are pla9 home folks :om y w\ld n 
hesitate to invite to a d9n] 9 a f>mh\se
 kit*54  ,:at y ought to "k :5 y invade 
,new ,york )\t mu* capital & no         
reputation to speak ( is t y are mak+ a 
great mi/ake to move !re s e>ly1 & t mo/
 ( ! editors to :om y address y\rself "k
 y are mak+ a mi/ake b are too s(t-he>t$
 to tell y s4  ,l mo/ o!r ov]-optimi/ic 
free lances1 we invad$ ,new ,york ) an  
exp$ition>y =ce :i* 0 9 a woeful /ate ( 
unprep>$ness4  ,9 a /reet ( br[n/one    
fronts 9 mid-t[n ,manhattan1 a          
hurdy-gurdy /rumm$ a welcome to u 9 !   
gold5 ,novemb] sunlight1 & a can>y 9 a  
gilt cage twitt]$ ec/atically f an op5  
w9d[4 ,?is mom5t is wor?y ( m5tion      
because x 0 ! happie/ t 0 grant$ to u = 
a numb] ( mon?s !reaft]4 ,we r5t$ a     

small furni%$ room1 top floor re>1 & w5t
 out = a /roll on ,broadway1 look+ !    
city ov] ) ! apprais+ eyes ( conqu]ors4 
,we 7 joy\sly confid5t4  ,"o reason :y  
we ?\ght we w\ld d well "h 0 t ! latt]  
mon?s ( ! p]iod prec$+ our suppos$ly    
triumphal entry _h se5 me arrive at !   
po9t ( e>n+ almo/ z mu* money at free   
lanc+ z ,i c\ld h made z a report]4     
,meantime1 ,i _h ?rill$ to see my "n    
affix$ to contributions 9 ,colli]'s1    
,leslie's1 ,outlook & ,out+1 n to m5tion
 a few less] magaz9es4 ,i ?\ght ,i knew 
a /ory :5 ,i saw "o4 ,i knew h[ to take 
photographs & prep>e a manuscript =     
m>ket+1 & ,new ,york newspap]s &        
magaz9es _h be5 treat+ me h&somely4 ,:at
 we did n realize 0 t :ile ! ,new ,york 
m>kets 7 hospitable en\gh to we/]n      
mat]ial1 !y requir$ no fur!r assi/ance 9
 report+ ! activities ( ,manhattan      
,isl&4 ,we _h mov$ away f our gold m9e4 
,our home & work%op n[ 0 a cubbyhole s  
small t e piece ( furniture 9 ! place 0 
9 close proximity to some?+ else4 ,my   

batt]$ desk 0 jam aga9/ my roommate's   
draw+ table1 & 8 *air back$ aga9/ a b$4 
,!n1 except = a n>r[ aisle to ! door1   
!re 0 a *air :i* t\*$ ano!r b$1 :i* t\*$
 a trunk2 ! trunk t\*$ ends ) a wa%/&1  
:i* 0 jam aga9/ a false mantel pa/$ onto
 ! wall1 & ! mantel 0 9 juxtaposition ) 
a bureau :i* pok$ me 9 ! back4 ,! w9d[  
look$ s\?1 & adjac5t build+s all[$ x to 
h sunlight = almo/ half an h\r a day4   
,yet x w\ld h be5 a *e]ful en\gh place  
if our mail _h n be5 s depress+4 ,ev]y?+
 we s5t out came "r back ) a b\nce1     
sometimes on ! same day t we po/$ x4 ,) 
indefatigable zeal we wrote feature     
/ories ab\t big topics 9 ,am]ica's      
bigge/ city & furni%$ illu/rations = !  
text4 ,b ! manuscripts did n sell4 ,=   
two bitt] mon?s we kept at x be=e we    
discov]$ :at 0 wrong4 ,y may wond] h[ we
 c\ld h be5 s bl9d4 ,b !re 0 no "o to   
tell u :at to d4 ,we _h to f9d out by   
exp]i5ce4  ,9 ,novemb] our income 0     
#fj4ij1 all ( x e*oes f ! pa/ = mat]ial 
writt5 9 ! we/4  ,h[ t cr[d 9 ! old     

(fice w\ld laugh at u :5 we trail$ back 
home1 defeat$6  ,t 0 ! ?\ght :i* 0 at   
once a nightm>e & a goad to fur!r       
desp]ate ef=t4 ,day aft] day ! ,art     
,dep>tm5t & ! kodak & ,i explor$ ,new   
,york's highways & c5t]s ( int]e/4 ,!   
place 0 ripe ) b>rels & b>rels ( good   
feature /ories1 & ,i knew x2 & ! m>kets 
7 n unfri5dly1 = by mail ,i _h sold to  
!m be=e4 ,b n[ we c\ld n l&4  ,on       
,*ri/mas ,day !re 0 a dismal /orm4 ,our 
purses 7 almo/ flat1 & my box f home    
fail$ to arrive4 ,to get up an appetite 
= d9n] t night we w5t = a walk 9 a joy  
kill+ blizz>d4 ,i want$ to die & plann$ 
to d s4 ,! only reason ,i did n jump (f 
( a pi] 0 ! provid5tial int]v5tion (    
sev]al /iff cocktails4 7,i am           
!oretically a prohibitioni/1 b grateful 
to ! enemy = hav+ sav$ my life47 ,!     
black cl\d t %ut out all sunlight 0 our 
measly total = ,decemb]--#ah4jg4  ,"o   
glimm] ( hope rema9$ 9 a gr[+ suspicion 
t p]haps "s ( ! /ories we _h submitt$ _h
 se5 pr9t %ortly be=e we arriv$4        

,possibly "s o!r free lances--,i w\ld n[
 e/imate ! numb] z some:]e betwe5 n9e   
hundr$ & a ?\s&--_h gone ov] ! isl& (   
,manhattan ) a f9e too? comb8 ,i began  
haunt+ ! side /reets to seek out ! mo/  
hidd5 possibilities1 & end$ 9 triumph "o
 aft]noon 9 a little upt[n bird /ore4   
,= two h\rs ! "y woman :o 0 ! proprietor
 ( ! /ore submitt$ to a se>*+ int]view1 
& ,i em]g$ ) en\gh mat]ial = a full page
 spread4 ,!n1 tak+ no *ances ( be+ turn$
 d[n because ! contribution 0 too long1 
,i cond5s$ ! /ory into a column4 ,!     
manuscript w5t to ! ,sunday ,editor ( ! 
,new ,york ,sun1 ) a lett] plead+ t j   
?is once he grant me ! special favor ( a
 note to expla9 :y he w\ld n be able to 
use :at ,i _h to (f]4  ,well en\gh      
writt51 he scribbl$ on ! rejection slip1
 b ,miss ,virg9ia has be5 done too _m   
times be=e4  ,) t a great light dawn$4  
,fur!r inve/igation discov]$ t we _h run
 into ! same difficulty on num]\s o!r   
occasions4 ,we newcom]s _h no notion (  
h[ ?or\ghly & (t5 ! city _h be5 pillag$ 

= news4 ,we c\ld n tell old /uff f new4 
,manhattan ,isl& is1 inde$1 ! mo/ p]il\s
 place 9 all ,am]ica = ! gre5 &         
fri5dless free lance to attempt to e>n a
 liv+4 ,!re is a wond]ful abundance (   
/ories1 b ne>ly all ( !m t ! eye ( !    
beg9n] c detect h be5 m>ket$ be=e4 ,any 
o!r isl& b ,manhattan6 ,:5 dog days came
 ar\nd1 ,i took a vacation on ,bois     
,blanc 9 ! ,/raits ( ,mack9ac1 & f\nd m 
salable /ories along its ?9ly populat$  
%ores ?an ,manhattan _h be5 able to     
furni% 9 ?ree mon?s4 ,ev]y?+ ,i t\*$ on 
,bois ,blanc 0 new1 & all my own4 ,any?+
 on ,manhattan is ev]ybody's4  ,b to    
return to our tr\bles 9 ,new ,york4 ,!  
only hope ,i c\ld see 0 to create a l9e 
( writ+ all our own4 ,?is det]m9ation   
result$ 9 a highly specializ$ type (    
feature = :i* we f\nd a m>ket 9 ! morn+ 
,new ,york ,_w4 ,x comb9$ novelty ) !   
utmo/ ess5ce ( timel9ess4 ,= example1   
preclud+ any possibility ( be+          
anticipat$ on ! op5+ ( ,coney ,isl&'s   
summ] season1 we wrote e>ly 9 ,febru>y3 

,if reports f unv]aci\s employees (     
,coney ,isl& are to be tru/$1 ! summ]   
season ( #aiaj is go+ to br+ =? ?rill+  
novelties = ! air & ! e>? & ! tunnels   
b5ea? ! e>?4  ,we li/$ !n ! ,biplane    
,hat ,glide 7wom5 7 we>+ enorm\s hats t 
season7 & ,motor ,t5 ,p9s--get 9 a motor
 c> & run d[n dummies :i* c\nt          
respectively1 a *ild1 t5 po9ts2 a bl9d  
man1 five2 a newsboy1 "o4 ,!n !         
,%ont%ov]4 ,we expla9$ ! ,%ont%ov] 9    
detail because x 0 suppos$ to h a       
p>ticul>ly /rong appeal to ! millions :o
 ride 9 ! subway3  ,new ,york's         
good-natur$ enjoym5t ( its inadequate   
subway s]vice is responsible = ! ?ird   
novelty ( ! season4 ,9 honor ( a        
g5tleman :o once took a ride 9 "o ( 8   
own subway c>s dur+ ! ru% h\r1 ! device 
has be5 nam$ ! ',%ont%ov]' 7f ',%onts' &
 '%ov]'74 ,x is ! sublimation ( a subway
 c>1 a cross betwe5 a c>tridge & a s>d9e
 c4 ,! pass5g]s are pack$ into ! %ell ) 
a hydraulic ram1 !n at high spe$ are %ot
 ?r\gh a pneumatic tube aga9/ a /one    

wall4 ,because ( ! great numb] (        
pass5g]s ! ,%ont%ov] c c>ry 9 a day1 !  
admission price to ! tube is to be only 
tw5ty-five c5ts4  ,we sugge/$ on o!r    
occasions t new *ur*es %\ld h floors )  
an angle ( =ty-five degrees1 on acc\nt (
 ! prevail+ fa%ion ( l>ge hats among    
wom52 t ,city ,hall employees 7 outwitt+
 ,mayor ,gaynor's "t clock by pay+ !    
night wat*man to pun* x = !m at sunrise1
 & t beauty _h become a b> to a job z   
waitress 9 num]\s ,new ,york re/aurants4
 7,o %ades ( ,george ,wa%+ton1 =give u t
 "o1 at lea/67 ,^! squibs did nobody any
 h>m1 & did u on ! av]age1 ! good ( !   
price ( a week's room r5t4 ,we nev]     
meant !m to be tak5 s]i\sly or ev]      
suppos$ t any "o 9 ! _w w\ld swall[ !m  
:ole4 ,b among our read]s 0 a           
squ>e-head$ ,g]man2 & "o ( ! mo/ absurd 
( our imag9+s turn$ out1 z a result1 to 
be a physical possibility4  ,ev] s9ce x 
0 ann\nc$1 a few days ago1 t haz+ 9 a   
modifi$ mod]niz$ =m is to be p]mitt$ at 
,we/ ,po9t1 we relat$1 a report] = ! ,_w

 has be5 busily int]view+ p ( all ages &
 int]e/s to f9d ! late/ ideas on !      
subject4444 ,"s small boys 9 ,van       
,cortl&t ,p>k ye/]day aft]noon1 diabolo 
exp]ts1 sugge/$ 'plebe diabolo4' ,x is  
simply diabolo = gr[n-ups4 ,a rope takes
 ! place ( ! cu/om>y /r+ & a fir/ ye>   
man is us$ = a spool4 ,any "o c see at a
 glance :at a great improvem5t ?is w\ld 
be ov] ! old-fa%ion$ /unt ( toss+ !     
plebe 9 a blanket4  ,a few mon?s lat] ,i
 pick$ up a copy ( ! ,sci5tific ,am]ican
 & *ortl$ to read ! acc\nt ( a ,g]man   
acrobat :o 0 play+ 9 vaudeville z !     
,human ,diabolo4  ,b ?is sort ( ?+ 0    
m]ely temporiz+1 & we f9ally _h to ab&on
 x = subjects m sub/antial4 ,by a sl[ & 
h>r[+ process we le>n$ our specialties &
 made a few helpful fri5ds 9 ,new       
,york's ,fleet ,/reet4 ,! fitte/ among !
 _m manuscripts turn$ out by our copy   
mill surviv$ to tea* u t ! sure/ way    
into pr9t is to write ab\t ?+s close/ to
 p]sonal k--simple & homely !mes close  
to ! grass roots4 ,we turn$ aga9 to     

middle we/]n topics & ! magaz9es op5$ _!
 doors to u4 ,we plugg$ away = six mon?s
 & cle>$ a pr(it l>ge en\gh to pay (f   
all our debts & leave a little m>g94 ,!n
 we felt t we c\ld look ! we/ 9 ! face  
aga91 & g home1 if we lik$1 )\t a       
consci\sness ( utt] defeat4 ,= ?\gh we  
_h n won1 nei!r _h we lo/4 ,our books   
/ruck a balance4  ,:5 ! ,w&]lu/ began   
call+ aga9 9 ,may1 ,i sat _m an ev5+ 9 !
 w9d[ ( our little room1 gaz+ d[n into !
 backy>d cat ar5a or up at ! moon1 &    
dragg+ away at a ,miss\ri corncob pipe 9
 a happy rev]y4 ,"s ( my manuscript     
titles ( editorial p>agraphs contribut$ 
to ,colli]'s trace :at happ5$ next3     
,long+s at ! ,w9d[4      ,pack+ ,up4    
,a ,mood ( ,mov+ ,day4      ,f ,cab to  
,taxi4      ,outdoor ,sleep+ ,qu>t]s4   
,%ortcake4  ,:i* is to say t x 0 sweet  
to see ! home folks aga91 to eat fri$   
*ick5 & hone/ homemade /rawb]ry %ortcake
 & to slumb] on a sleep+ por*4 ,our =ces
 _h beat a /rategic retreat1 b ! morale 
0 n gone4 ,our det]m9ation 0 firm to    

assault ,new ,york aga9 at ! fir/       
favorable opportunity4 ,mean:ile1 we _h 
le>n$ a ?+ or two4     ,,*apt] ,,vii    
,,some?+ ,,to ,,sell   ,six mon?s back  
home1 toil+ l a galley slave1 furni%$   
requisite funds = ano!r fl+ at ,new     
,york4 ,if ev] a writ] burn$ ) zeal1 ?is
 "o did4 ,mississippi ,valley summ]s (t5
 approa* ! torrid2 ?is "o 0 a record    
break]2 & ,i nev] %all =get h[ (t5 t    
summ]1 aft] a h>d day's "w z a report]1 
,i /ripp$ to ! wai/ l a /ok] & scribbl$ 
& typ$ until my eyes & f+]s a*$4  ,x 0  
wise--& fooli%4 ,wise1 because x furni%$
 ! capital ) :i* e free lance ought to  
be well suppli$ be=e he attempts to     
op]ate f a ,new ,york headqu>t]s4       
,fooli%1 because x took all joy ( life  
out ( my manuscripts :ile ! session (   
/r5u\sness la/$ & left me wav]+ at ! end
 almo/ on ! v]ge ( a physical breakd[n4 
,nights1 ,sundays & holidays ,i plugg$ &
 slogg$1 nor did ,i rel5t ev5 :5        
vacation "t came r\nd4 ,i soj\rn$ to !  
,mi*igan p9e woods1 b took along my     

typewrit] & kept x s++ half ( e day4  ,!
 new ye> f\nd me 9 ,new ,york aga91     
alone ?is "t & in/all$ 9 a com=table    
two-room suite in/ead ( an attic4 ,a    
reassur+ bank acc\nt bol/]$ up my c\rage
 :ile ! "w 0 gett+ "u way4  ,?is "t ,i  
made a g ( x2 & su* ups & d[ns z h      
foll[$ 9 ! t5 ye>s succe$+ h n be5 mu* m
 dramatic ?an ! mild adv5tures t befall 
! ev]yday bus9ess man4 ,dang] is pa/ &  
n[ tr\bles beg94 ,t phrase ( ,gambetta's
 aptly describes ! situation ( ! av]age 
free lance :51 aft] ! fir/ desp]ate     
/ruggles1 he has manag$ to ga9 a        
reasonable assurance ( indep5d5ce4      
,confid5ce comes ) exp]i5ce1 & :5 y no  
long] h any grave fe>s ab\t y\r ability 
to make a liv+ at ! trade1 y\r m9d turns
 f elem5t>y problems to ! less di/ract+ 
task ( f9d+ out h[ to make y\r discov]$ 
degree ( tal5t c\nt = all t x may be    
wor?4 ,aft] try+ y\r h& at a v>iety (   
subjects1 y w f9d y\r =te4 ,b take y\r  
"t ab\t x4 ,e adv5ture 9 composition    
tea*es y some?+ new ab\t y\rself1 y\r   

art & ! m>kets :]e9 y ga9 y\r daily     
bread4 ,! way to le>n to write--! only  
way--is by writ+1 & y nev] w "k :at y   
might d unless y d>e & try4  ,bo? z a   
matt] ( exp$i5cy & ( gett+ z mu* fun out
 ( ! "w z possible1 x is well 9 ! beg9n+
 to be v]satile4 ,ev5tually1 ! free     
lance faces two *oices3 ,he may become a
 speciali/ & put 9 ! rema9d] ( 8 life   
writ+ solely ab\t railroads1 or ab\t    
f9ance1 or ab\t ! drama4 ,or he may1 z  
,rob]t ,l\is ,/ev5son did1 turn 8 h& z !
 mood moves him1 to fiction1 v]se1      
fables1 biography1 criticism1 drama or  
j\rnalism--a little ( ev]y?+4 ,= my own 
"p1 ,i h always _h some?+ ak9 to pity = 
! fell[ :o is b\nd h& & foot to "o      
int]e/4 ,let ! fame & ! great] pr(its ( 
specialization g hang2 an able bodi$    
writ9' man c be/ possess 8 s\l if he    
does n h>ness ,pegasus to pl[ =ev] 9 "o 
cabbage pat*4  ,l ! ,oz>k ,m\nta9 f>m]  
:o also ran a c\ntry /ore1 a saw mill1 a
 de] p>k1 a sorghum mill1 a ?re%+ ma*9e 
& prea*$ 9 ! meet9' h\se on ,sunday     

morn+s1 ,i h turn$ my p5 to any hone/   
piece ( writ+ t appeal$ /rongly en\gh to
 my fancy--travel1 popul> sci5ce1 humor1
 light v]se1 editorials1 essays1        
int]views1 p]sonality sket*es & captions
 = photographs4 ,g5ius takes a %ort cut 
to ! highroad4 ,b wa/e n y\r sympa?y on 
! re/ ( u1 = ! byways h _! own *>m4     
,:ile "o is f9d+ 8 foot+ 9 ! free lance 
fields1 he _h be/ n hold himself above  
do+ any k9d ( j\rnali/ic "w t turns an  
hone/ doll>4 ,= he becomes ri*] n only  
by ! doll>1 b also by ! acqua9tances he 
makes & ! valuable exp]i5ce he ga9s 9   
turn+ t doll>4 ,!re 0 a "t--& n s long  
ago--:51 if ! writ] call$ at ! wait+    
room ( ! ,leslie-,judge ,company1 ! girl
 at ! desk w\ld try to guess :e!r he _h 
a draw+ to %[ to ! ,art ,editor1 a      
frivol\s manuscript = ,judge or a s]i\s 
article = ,leslie's4 ,at ! ,d\bl$ay1    
,page plant ! unc]ta9ty 0 ab\t :e!r !   
call] s\ght ! editor ( ,_w's ,"w1       
,c\ntry ,life1 ! ,r$ ,cross ,magaz9e or 
,%ort ,/ories--he _h1 at v>i\s times1   

contribut$ to all ( ^! publications4    
,smile1 if y l1 b !re is no bett] way to
 discov] :at y c d be/ ?an to try y\r   
'pr5tice h& at a great v>iety ( topics &
 m$iums4 ,! po/-graduate c\rse ( e s*ool
 ( j\rnalism is a rop$ ar5a :]e y       
wre/le1 cat* z cat* c1 = ! honors be/[$ 
by exp]i5ce4  ,?is exp]i5ce1 pa9fully   
acquir$1 %\ld be back$ up by an elem5t>y
 k ( salesman%ip4 ,sup]-s5sitive s\ls   
!re are :o %udd] at ! m]e m5tion ( ! ^w2
 & :y ?is is s is n difficult to        
und]/&--_! m9ds are poison$ ) s5tim5tal 
misappreh5sions4 ,get rid ( ^?          
misappreh5sions j z swiftly z y c4 ,if y
 h some?+ to sell1 be x h>dw>e or a     
manuscript1 common s5se %\ld dictate t y
 le>n a little ab\t h[ to sell x4       
,exp]t int]view]s prep>e !mselves bo? = 
_! topic & _! man be=e !y g into a      
confab--a practice :i* %\ld be foll[$ to
 "s ext5t by e writ] :o sets out to     
int]view an editor ab\t a manuscript4   
,:at y h to (f] %\ld be prep>$ to suit !
 ne$s ( ! editor to :om ! contribution  

is address$4 ,s y %\ld /udy y\r magaz9e 
j z c>efully z y d ! subject ab\t :i* y 
are writ+4 ,9 y\r int]view ) ! editor or
 9 ! lett] :i* takes ! place ( an       
int]view1 /ate briefly :atev] %\ld be   
useful to 8 enlight5m5t4 ,t is all4 ,!re
 y h ! fir/ pr9ciples ( :at is meant by 
an elem5t>y k ( salesman%ip4 ,if y don't
 "k :at y are talk+ ab\t or any?+ ab\t !
 possible ne$s ( ! man to :om y are     
talk+1 h[ c y expect to int]e/ him 9 any
 commodity "u heav58 ,say no?+ t y don't
 believe--he won't believe x1 ei!r4     
,nev] fool him4 ,if y d1 y may sell him 
once1 b nev] aga94  ,!re is no d>k art  
to salesman%ip2 x is simply a matt] (   
deliv]+ ! goods 9 a mann] dictat$ by    
c\rtesy1 s9c]ity1 common s5se & common  
hone/y4 ,be y\rself )\t pose1 & don't   
=get t ! editor--:e!r y believe x or    
n--is j z human z y are1 & quick to     
respond to ! be/ t !re is 9 y4 ,%ake (f 
! delusion t y ne$ to play ! good fell[ 
to him1 l ! old-fa%ion$ type ( drumm] 9 
a small t[n4 ,simply & s9c]ely & /raight

 f ! %\ld]--also briefly1 because he is 
a busy man--/ate y\r case1 leave y\r    
lit]>y goods = inspection & g y\r way4  
,he w judge y & y\r manuscript on m]its2
 if he does n1 he w n long cont9ue to be
 an editor4 ,! two greate/ curses ( 8   
exi/5ce 7,i speak f exp]i5ce7 are !     
poses & ! incurable loquaci\sness ( "s (
 8 call]s & correspond5ts4 ,don't       
attempt to spr+ any correspond5ce s*ool 
salesman%ip on a real editor4 ,le>n :at 
real salesman%ip is1 f a real           
salesman--:o may sell bacon1 or /eel or 
motor c>s in/ead ( manuscripts4 ,he     
lives d[n y\r /reet1 p]haps4 ,h a talk )
 him4 ,he w tell y ( ! pr(its 9 a squ>e 
deal & 9 kn[+ y\r bus9ess1 & :at c be   
accompli%$ by a little fai?4  ,if y are 
temp]am5tally unfit to sell y\r own     
writ+s1 get a compet5t lit]>y ag5t to d 
! job = y4 ,b don't too quickly despair1
 = aft] all1 !re is no?+ p>ticul>ly     
subtle ab\t salesman%ip4 ,s9c]ity1 h[ev]
 crude1 usually c>ries conviction4 ,if y
 "k a /ory :5 y see x1 if y write x "r &

 type x 9 pr(essional =m & give x ! ne$$
 illu/rations2 !n if y (f] x 9 a common 
s5se mann] to a suitable m>ket1 y c be  
tru/$ to h&le y\r own products z        
successfully z ! be/ salesman 9         
,am]ica--z successfully z ,*>les ,s*wab 
himself4 ,=1 above all1 rememb] ?is3 !  
editor is j z eag] to buy good /uff z y 
are to sell x4 ,no?+ is simpl] ?an to   
make a sale 9 ! lit]>y m>ket if y h :at 
! editor wants4     ,,*apt] ,,viii      
,,:at ,,! ,,editor ,,wants   ,suppose y 
7 ! manag] ( an imm5se =um1 a /adium l !
 "o 9 ,san ,diego1 ,cali=nia1 :]e ) !   
aid ( a glass cage & an electrical      
device increas+ ! int5sity ( ! human    
voice1 x is possible to rea* ! e>s ( a  
_w's record audi5ce ( #ej1jjj p]sons4   
,:at sort ( !mes w\ld y favor :5        
c&idates = a place on y\r speak+ program
 ask$ y :at !y ought to discuss8 ,!     
,/yle ( ,walt] ,pat]8 ,! ,f\r?          
,dim5sion8 ,flor5t9e ,art ( ! ,f\rte5?  
,c5tury8 ,n likely6 ,y w\ld insi/ ^u    
simple & homely !mes1 ( ! wide/ possible

 appeal4  ,a p>allel case is t ( !      
editor ( a magaz9e ( g5]al circulation4 
,he manages a =um s mu* l>g] ?an ! fam\s
 /adium at ,san ,diego t ! imag9ation is
 put to a /ra9 to picture x4 ,on !      
g5]ally accept$ assumption t ea* sold   
copy ( a popul> magaz9e ev5tually rea*es
 an av]age ( five p]sons1 !re is "o =um 
9 ! magaz9e _w ( ,am]ica :i* e week     
assembles a ?rong ( t5 million or m     
assort$ citiz5s1 ga!r$ f ev]y:]e1 coa/  
to coa/1 m5 & wom51 "y & old1 e walk (  
life4 ,a doz5 o!r p]iodicals address at 
lea/ half t numb]1 & ! humble/ ( !      
widely kn[n magaz9es rea*es a qu>t] ( a 
million--five times z _m p]sons z jamm$ 
_! way into ! ,san ,diego /adium "o "t  
to he> a spee* by ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates4  ,put y\rself into ! %oes ( !  
manag] ( "o ( ^! =ums1 & try to und]/&  
"s ( 8 difficulties4  ,a doz5 times a   
day ! editor ( a popul> p]iodical is    
besieg$ by contributors to make "s sort 
( answ] to ! "q3 ,:at k9d ( mat]ial are 
y seek+8  ,:at else c he reply1 9 a     

g5]al way1 b some?+ ( wide appeal1 to   
int]e/ our wide circle ( read]s8  ,!re  
are times1 ( c\rse1 :5 he c speak       
specifically & ) assurance1 if all he   
happ5s to require at ! mom5t to give    
prop] balance to 8 table ( cont5ts is "o
 or two manuscripts ( a def9ite type4   
,!n he may be able to say1 (f-h&3 ,an   
adv5ture novelette ( tw5ty ?\s& words1  
or1 ,an article on ! high co/ ( %oe     
lea!r1 ?ree ?\s& five hundr$ words4 ,b  
?is is a happy situation :i* is n at all
 typical4 ,ord9>ily1 he /&s 9 con/ant   
ne$ ( half a doz5 v>ieties ( mat]ial2 b 
to describe !m all 9 detail to e call]  
w\ld take m "t ?an he c\ld possibly af=d
 to sp>e4  ,he _c /op to expla9 to e    
applicant t among :at ,rob]t ,l\is      
,/ev5son describ$ z ! real defici5cies (
 social int]c\rse is ! fact t :ile two's
 company ?ree's a cr[d2 t ) ea* addition
 to ?is cr[d ! topics ( conv]sation mu/ 
broad5 9 appeal1 seek+ ! greate/ common 
divisor ( int]e/s2 & t a coroll>y is !  
un=tunate fact t ! l>g] ! cr[d ! few] & 

m elem5tal mu/ become ! subjects t are  
possible = discussion4  ,e editor kn[s t
 a lack ( judgm5t 9 select+ !mes ( broad
 en\gh appeal to int]e/ a nation-wide   
public is "o ( ! novice scribbl]'s mo/  
common fail+s4 ,x is due *iefly to a    
lack ( imag9ation on ! "p ( ! w\ld-be   
contributor1 :o appe>s to be incapable (
 project+ himself into ! editorial      
viewpo9t4 ,i c te/ify f my own exp]i5ce 
t a s+le day's "w z an editor1 wad+     
?r\gh a bu%el ( mail1 taught me m ab\t  
h[ to make a selection ( subjects ?an   
six mon?s ( %oot+ 9 ! d>k z a free      
lance4  ,e editor kn[s t n9e out ( t5 ( 
! unsolicit$ manuscripts :i* he w f9d   
pil$ ^u 8 desk = read+ to-morr[ morn+ w 
prove to be :olly unfitt$ = ! uses ( 8  
magaz9e4 ,! man outside ! sanctum fails 
utt]ly to und]/& ! editor's dilemma4    
,?is is ! situation :i* has produc$ !   
/aff writ]1 & has br\ght d[n ^u ! editor
 ! prote/s ( 8 m discrim9at+ read]s     
aga9/ /&>diz$ fiction & aga9/ sundry    
un9spir$ articles produc$ to measure by 

fai?ful hacks4 ,! editor def5ds 8 c\rse 
9 pr9t+ ?is sort ( mat]ial ^u ! gr\nd t 
a magaz9e made up :olly ( unsolicit$    
mat]ial w\ld be a horrid melange1 f> m  
di/ress+ to ! consum] ?an ! pres5t type 
( popul> p]iodical :i* is s l>gely made 
to ord]4 ,all editors read unsolicit$   
mat]ial hopefully & eag]ly4 ,_m an      
editor gives ?is duty half ( 8 work+ day
 & "p ( 8 ev5+s & ,sundays4 ,all ( !    
rew>d ( a discov]] is 8 if he c h]ald a 
new wor?-:ile writ]4 ,moreov]1 ! int]e/ 
( economy bids him be fai?ful 9 ! task1 
= ! novice does n dem& ! high rates ( ! 
r5[n$ pr(essional4  ,yet ev5 on ! l>ge/ 
( our magaz9es1 :]e ! /ream (           
contributions is enorm\s1 ! mo/ dilig5t 
se>* is n fruitful ( mu* mat]ial t is   
wor? :ile4 ,! big magaz9es h to ord] mo/
 ( _! mat]ial 9 advance1 l s mu* sausage
 or silk2 & mu* ( ! cont5ts is plann$ = 
_m mon?s ahead4 ,sc>cely any dep5d5ce c 
be plac$ ^u ! luck ( :at drifts into !  
(fice 9 ! mails4  ,inevitably1 !        
magaz9es mu/ h l>ge rec\rse to big      

names1 n because ( inbr$ snobbi%ness on 
! "p ( ! editors b because ! big "n1    
besides c>ry+ adv]tis+ value1 is m      
likely ?an a little "o to /& = mat]ial )
 a big !me1 h&l$ by a writ] ( exp]i5ce4 
,a sur] t\* 9 select+ & h&l+ topics (   
nation-wide appeal is :at c\nts mo/     
heavily 9 favor ( ! writ] ) an e/abli%$ 
reputation4 ,(t5 en\gh x is n 8 va/ly   
sup]ior craftsman%ip4 ,i "k ( sev]al    
fam\s magaz9e writ]s :o nev] 9 _! lives 
h got _! mat]ial into pr9t 9 ! =m 9 :i* 
x orig9ally 0 submitt$4 ,!y are :at !   
trade calls g-gett]s4 ,!y deliv] ! /ory 
z be/ !y c1 & a m skillful /yli/        
completes ! job4  ,success 9 m>ket+     
non-fiction to popul> magaz9es appe>s to
 h+e l>gely ^u ! quality ( ! ?9k+ !     
writ] does be=e he sets p5 to pap]4 ,a  
classic anecdote ( ,new ,york's ,fleet  
,/reet may illu/rate ! po9t3  ,! publi%]
 ( a national weekly 0 hir+ a newspap]  
man z editor4  ,is ?is a writ+ job8 !   
applicant inquir$4  ,no6 gr[l$ !        
publi%]1 a ?9k9' job6  ,! writ] (       

non-fiction is 9 ! same boat ) ! editor 
:o buys 8 articles2 he calls himself a  
writ]1 b prim>ily he is up aga9/ a ?9k+ 
job4 ,! actual writ+ ( 8 mat]ial is     
second>y to good judgm5t 9 select+ :at  
is kn[n z a compell+ !me4 ,if he c      
produce a real /ory & get x onto pap] 9 
"s sort ( intellig5t fa%ion1 :at rema9s 
to be done 9 ! way ( craftsman%ip c be  
h&l$ inside ! magaz9e (fice by a        
re-write man4 ,make sure1 fir/ ( all1 t 
:at y h to say is some?+ t ought to     
int]e/ ! l>ge audi5ce to :i* y address  
x4  ,nobody ) a gra9 ( common s5se w\ld 
attempt to discuss ,! ,/yle ( ,walt]    
,pat] to fifty ?\s& re/less & cr\py     
auditors 9 ! va/ ,san ,diego /adium1 b !
 av]age free lance sees no?+ ( equal    
absurdity ab\t attempt+ to cram an essay
 on ,pat] d[n ! ?roats ( a miscellane\s 
cr[d 9 a /adium :i* is f a hundr$ to two
 hundr$ times z l>ge--! =um into :i*    
?rong ! ?\s&s :o read "o ( our l>ge     
popul> magaz9es4  ,mu* z we may regret  
to ackn[l$ge x1 !re is no way to get    

ar\nd ! fact t ! l>g] & m g5]al !       
circulation ( a p]iodical1 ! m univ]sal 
mu/ be ! appeal ( ! mat]ial pr9t$ & !   
few] ! ma9/ays ( int]e/1 until 9 a      
magaz9e ) a circulation ( m ?an a       
million copies ! *ief classifications ( 
non-fiction mat]ial requir$ c easily be 
c\nt$ ^u ! f+]s4 ,! editor ( su* a      
publication necess>ily is limit$ to h&l+
 r elem5tal topics2 s x is n to be      
wond]$ at :5 we he> t ! l>ge/           
publication ( !m all makes its ma9/ays  
two su* univ]sally int]e/+ & _w-old !mes
 z bus9ess & ! way ( a man ) a maid4    
,exam9e any popul> magaz9e :i* has a    
circulation ( g5]al read]s1 speak+ to a 
=um ( any:]e f a qu>t] ( a million to t5
 million assort$ read]s1 & y w f9d t !  
non-fiction mat]ial :i* x is mo/ eag] to
 buy may easily be classifi$ into half a
 doz5 types ( articles1 all conc]n$ ) ! 
rul+ passions ( ! av]age ,am]ican1 z3   
#a4 ,8 job4      #b4 ,8 he>?/one4       
#c4 ,8 politics4      #d4 ,8            
recreations4      #e4 ,8 heal?4      #f4

 ,happ5+s ( national int]e/4  ,exam9e a 
few ( ^! types ( contributions to arrive
 at a cle>] und]/&+ ( :y !y are s ju/ly 
popul>4 ,y\r av]age ,am]ican is1 fir/ ( 
all1 ke5ly int]e/$ 9 8 job4 ,x is mu* m 
to him1 usually1 ?an j a way to make a  
liv+4 ,x fasc9ates him l a game1 & y (t5
 he> him describe x z a game4 ,:at1 !n1 
is m natural ?an t he %\ld eag]ly read  
articles ( practical helpfulness conc]n$
 ) 8 activities 9 (fice or /ore1 factory
 or f>m8 ,! l>ge/ ( our popul> magaz9es 
nev] appe> )\t some?+ :i* t\*es ?is sort
 ( int]e/1 /imulat+ ! man ( affairs to  
/rive aft] fur!r successes & advancem5t 
9 8 *os5 occupation4 ,_m specializ$     
bus9ess & trade publications & m ?an a  
score ( skillfully edit$ f>m magaz9es   
?rive ^u develop+ ?is class ( !mes to ! 
exclusion ( all o!r mat]ial4  ,a second 
vital int]e/ is ! he>?/one--sugge/+ su* 
undy+ topics z love & ! l&lord1 m>riage 
& divorce1 ! tra9+ ( *ildr51 ! h\sehold 
budget1 ! high co/ ( liv+1 ^? compell+  
!mes :i* h built up ! wom5's magaz9es   

into in/itutions ( giant /ature &       
trem5d\s p[]4  ,politics is ano!r field 
( almo/ univ]sal int]e/1 broad5+ e day  
n[ t wom5 h ! ballot & n[ t our vision  
is no long] limit$ to ! homel& horizon1 
b f9ds itself se>*+ eag]ly onw>d into   
int]national relation%ips4 ,once we 7   
cont5t1 z a national body politic1 to   
discuss c&idates = ! ,presid5cy or :at  
our /& %\ld be ^u curr5cy & ! t>iff4    
,to-day we are also gravely conc]n$ to  
"k :at is to become ( ,russia & ,g]many1
 or h[ ! political & social unre/ 9     
,france & ,italy & ,engl& w affect !    
peace ( ! _w4  ,z a f\r? po9t1 y\r      
av]age ,am]ican ^! days is quick to     
respond to any?+ wor? :ile conc]n+ 8    
recreations4 ,z a consequ5ce1 mu* space 
is res]v$ 9 ! big magaz9es = articles on
 society1 travel1 ! !at] & ! movies1    
motor c>s1 c\ntry life1 out+s1 & su*    
popul> sports z golf1 baseball & t5nis4 
,e "o ( ^! topics1 besides be+ dealt ) 9
 ! g5]al magaz9es1 has its own special  
m\?piece4  ,heal? always has be5 a      

subject con/antly on ! tip ( ev]ybody's 
tongue1 b nev] be=e has s mu* be5 pr9t$ 
ab\t ! m important phases ( x ?an appe>s
 9 ! popul> magaz9es ( to-day4 ,k ( !   
common s5se rules ( diet1 ex]cise1      
v5tilation & ! l are becom+ public      
possession--?anks l>gely to ! magaz9es &
 ! newspap] syndicates4  ,a six? ma9/ay 
( ! magaz9es is 9 ! pres5tation (       
articles deal+ ) happ5+s ( national     
int]e/ or p]sonalities prom95t 9 ! day's
 news4 ,?is task gr[s increas+ly        
difficult z ! newspap]s tight5 _! grip  
^u ! public's att5tion & z ! news       
pictorials ( ! mov+ picture scre5 ga9 9 
popul> e/eem by improv$ te*nical skill &
 m intellig5t edit+4 ,! magaz9e ( l>ge  
circulation mu/ g to press s long be=e !
 newspap]s & ! films t mu* p]i%able news
 mu/ be ?r[n out1 ev5 ?\gh x is ( nation
 wide appeal4 ,! magaz9es are com+ to   
f9d _! greate/ usefulness 9 ! news field
 9 ga!r+ up ! loose ends ( scatt]$      
p>agraphs :i* ! daily newspap]s h no "t 
to weave toge!r into a patt]n4 ,9 !     

magaz9e ! pat*work ( daily j\rnalism is 
assembl$ into m mean+ful designs4 ,local
 news is sift$ ( its prov9cialism to    
become matt] ( national conc]n4 ,topics 
:i* y rapidly skimm$ 9 ! aft]noon       
newspap] ?ree or f\r weeks ago are      
re-discuss$ 9 ! weekly or mon?ly        
magaz9es 9 a way :i* (t5 makes y feel t 
"h1 = ! fir/ "t1 !y become ( p]sonal    
import4  ,! purpose ( ! sugge/ions      
sket*$ above is n to supply cann$ topics
 to ready writ]s1 b to set ambiti\s     
scribbl]s to ! task ( do+ "s ?9k+ =     
!mselves4 ,in/ead ( %iftlessly toss+ !  
:ole burd5 ( responsibility = *oice (   
topics to a h>d driv5 editor1 & :9+1    
,please give me an idea61 se>* ar\nd on 
y\r own initiative = a !me wor? pres5t+ 
to ! att5tion ( a ?rong ( widely assort$
 li/5]s--= a /ory t ought to appeal to  
,am]ica's multitudes4 ,if y\r topic is  
big en\gh = a big audi5ce1 y\r *ances   
are prime to get a he>+ = x4 ,dig up !  
necess>y facts1 ! human int]e/ & !      
national significance ( ! case4 ,!n1 re/

 assur$1 t /ory is :at ! editor wants4  
,,*apt] ,,ix  ,,& ,,if ,,y ,,d--        
,some?+ 9 ! mi/y sun%9e ?is morn+ made y
 re/less4 ,vague long+s1 born ( spr+time
 my/]y1 /irr$ y\r blood1 quick5$ !      
imag9ation4 ,roads t nev] 71 & mayhap   
nev] w be1 beckon$ y ) _! s9u\s curves &
 graceful %ade trees t[>d velvety fields
 beyond ! city's skyl9e4 ,! sweet       
fragrance ( blossom+ or*>ds t+l$ 9 y\r  
no/rils & ?rill$ y ) w&]lu/4 ,haunt+    
melodies quav]$ 9 y\r e>s4 ,y\r old bri>
 pipe nev] ta/$ s sweet be=e4 ,adv5ture 
nev] seem$ s imm95t4 ,a gold5 day4 ,:at 
w y d ) x8  ,y c\ld write to-day1 b if y
 did1 y "k y c\ld support no pati5ce =  
prosy facts1 /ati/ics & photographs4    
,:atev] urge y feel appe>s to be t[>d   
v]se or fiction4 ,well1 :y n8 ,try x6 ,y
 nev] "k :at y might d 9 writ+ until y  
d>e4  ,v]se is l>gely its own rew>d4    
,fiction1 :5 x turns out successfully1  
fet*es a d\ble rew>d4 ,x pays bo? 9     
p]sonal satisfaction1 z a =m ( creative 
art1 & also z a m>ketable commodity1 :i*

 always is 9 great dem&1 & :i* c be ca%$
 9 to meet h\se r5t & groc]s' bills4  ,x
 is n )9 ! scope ( ?is little book--nor 
( its au?or's abilities--to attempt a   
discussion ( fiction me?ods4 ,too _m o!r
 writ]s1 bett] qualifi$ to speak1 h     
dealt ) fiction 9 scores ( wor? :ile    
volumes4 ,too _m successful /ory tell]s 
h relat$ _! exp]i5ces & treat$1 )       
au?ority1 ( ! %ort /ory1 ! novelette & !
 long novel4  ,! purpose "h c be only to
 urge t an attempt to write fiction is a
 logical /ep ahead = any scribbl] :o has
 won a mod]ate degree ( success 9 sell+ 
newspap] copy & magaz9e articles4 ,! eye
 t c p]ceive ! dramatic & put x into    
non-fiction1 ! he>t t kn[s human int]e/1
 ! und]/&+ t c tell a symbol1 !         
arti/-in/9ct t c cat* *>act]i/ic colors1
 sc5ts & s\nds1 all %\ld aid a skill$   
writ] ( articles to turn 8 en]gies1 ) "s
 hope ( a*ievem5t1 t[>d produc+ fiction4
 ,! h& t c fa%ion a really vivid article
 holds out promise ( be+ able to compose
 a conv9c+ %ort /ory1 if grit & ambition

 help pu% ! p54  ,! temptation to       
dogmatize "h is /rong1 = ! witness c    
te/ify t he has se5 enviable success    
cr[n _m a fiction writ] :o1 app>5tly1   
possess$ small native tal5t = /ory      
tell+1 & :o won 8 laurels ?r\gh %e]     
pluck & p]si/5ce4 ,"o ( ^! plugg]s      
decl>es he blesses ! rejection slip     
because x elim9ates s _m quitt]s4  ,b ( 
c\rse x w\ld be absurd to believe t any 
"o ) unlimit$ c\rage & elb[ grease c\ld 
w9 at fiction1 lack+ all aptitude = x4  
,j z !re are photograph]s :o c snap     
pictures = tw5ty ye>s )\t produc+ a s+le
 happy composition 7except by accid5t71 
& report]s :o nev] develop a nose =     
news1 !re are /ory writ]s :o c ma/] all 
! me*anics ( tale-tell+1 ?r\gh %e]      
drudg]y1 & yet cont9ually fail to cat*  
fiction's sp>k ( life4 ,!y fail1 & %all 
always fail4 ,yet x is bett] to h /riv$ 
& fail$1 ?an nev] to h tri$ at all4     
,:y8 ,= ! good ( _! arti/s' consci5ces1 
9 ! fir/ place4 ,&1 9 ! second1 because 
no writ] c e>ne/ly /ruggle ) words )\t  

le>n+ some?+ ab\t !m to 8 trade         
advantage4  ,a confession may be 9 ord]3
 y\r depon5t te/ifies freely1 kn[+ t    
any?+ he may say may be us$ aga9/ him1 t
 = ye>s he has be5 a tireless produc] ( 
unsuccessful fiction1 yet he views 8    
s]ies ( rebuffs 9 ?is m$ium calmly & ev5
 some:at humor\sly4 ,=1 by trade1 he is 
a writ] ( articles1 & he e>ne/ly        
believes t ! m5tal ex]cise ( attempt+ to
 produce fiction acts z a heal?y        
influ5ce ^u a non-fictioni/'s /yle4 ,x  
/imulates ! torpid imag9ation4 ,x       
quick5s ! eye = ! vivid t\*es1 !        
picturesque & ! dramatic4 ,x is a grop+ 
t[>d art4  ,art1 writes "o :o kn[s1 is a
 mi/ress s beautiful1 s high1 s noble1 t
 no phrases c fitly *>act]ize h]1 no    
s]vice c be :olly wor?y ( h]4  ,p]haps  
su* art z goes into ! av]age magaz9e    
article is n likely to m]it mu*         
high-s\nd+ praise4 ,9 our famili> %op   
talk we are prone to laugh ab\t x4 ,b   
ev5 ! mo/ comm]cial-m9d$ ( our bro!rhood
 *]i%es deep 9 8 he>t a craftsman's     

pride 9 "w well done4 ,s y\r depon5t    
te/ifies 9 8 own def5se t 8 copybook    
ex]cises 9 fiction1 half ( :i* end 9 !  
wa/ebasket1 seem well wor? ! pa9s t !y  
co/1 s long z !y help keep alive 9 8    
non-fiction bread-w9n]s a hank]+ aft]   
7if n a flavor (7 lit]>y art4  ,& n[ mu/
 he apologize fur!r = us+ a ^w ^u :i*   
writ]s 9 ^! confess$ly comm]cial days   
appe> to h set a taboo8 ,!n a passage f 
,! ,/udy ( ,lit]ature 7,arlo ,bates7 may
 s]ve = ! apology3  ,life is full (     
disappo9tm5t1 & pa91 & bitt]ness1 & t   
s5se ( futility 9 :i* all ( ^! evils are
 summ$ up2 & yet 7 !re no o!r           
alleviation1 he :o kn[s & truly loves   
lit]ature f9ds "h a suffici5t reason to 
be glad he lives4 ,sci5ce may %[ a man  
h[ to live2 art makes liv+ wor? 8 :ile4 
,exi/5ce to-day )\t lit]ature w\ld be a 
failure & a despair2 & if we _c         
satisfactorily def9e our art1 we at lea/
 are aw>e h[ x enri*es & ennobles ! life
 ( e human be+ :o comes )9 ! sph]e ( its
 graci\s influ5ce4  ,s1 we repeat3 = !  

good ( ! arti/'s self-respect z well z =
 8 craftsman%ip x is wor? :ile to       
attempt fiction4 ,if only z a tonic6 ,if
 only to jog himself out ( a rut (      
habit6  ,if he succe$s ) fiction he has 
bright hopes ( w9n+ mu* l>g] f9ancial   
rew>ds = 8 labor ?an he is likely to ga9
 by writ+ articles4 ,non-fiction r>ely  
br+s 9 m ?an "o return ^u ! inve/m5t1 b 
a good %ort /ory or novel may fet*      
sev]al4 ,fir/1 8 y>n sells to ! magaz9e4
 ,!n x may be re-sold 7second s]ial     
rights7 to ! newspap]s4 ,f9ally1 x may  
fet* ! l>ge/ ca% return ( all by be+    
m>ket$ to a motion picture corporation z
 ! plot = a sc5>io4 ,9 "s in/ances ev5  
?is does n exhau/ all ! possibilities1 =
 if ,briti% magaz9es & bookm5 are       
int]e/$ 9 ! tale1 ! ,engli% rights (    
publication may add ano!r paym5t to !   
total4  ,n all ( ! features ( ?is       
picture1 h[ev]1 %\ld be pa9t$ 9         
rose-colors4 ,a disconc]t+ & p]si/5t    
rumor has x t :at once 0 a by-product ( 
fiction--! sale ( movie rights--is n[   

?reat5+ to run (f ) ! entire production4
 ,! side %[1 we are w>n$1 is %ap+ !     
policy ( ! ma9 t5t4 ,:i* is to say t    
noveli/s & magaz9e fiction writ]s are   
accus$ ( becom+ m conc]n$ ab\t h[ _!    
/ories w film ?an ab\t h[ ! manuscripts 
w grade z pieces ( lit]ature4 ,to get a 
y>n into pr9t is /ill wor? :ile because 
?is enhances its value 9 ! eyes ( !     
produc]s ( motion pictures4 ,b ! au?or's
 real goal is no long] good writ+1 s mu*
 z remun]ative picture possibilities4   
,we set ?is d[n n because we believe x  
true ( ! majority ( our bro!r craftsm51 
b because evid5ces ( su* influ5ces are  
und5iably pres5t1 & d n appe> to h done 
! art ( writ+ fiction any appreciable   
b5efit4 ,if y\r trade is non-fiction1 & 
y turn to fiction to improve y\r art r  
?an y\r bank acc\nt1 good c\nsel w      
admoni% y n to aim at any o!r m>k ?an ! 
be/ t y c produce 9 ! way ( lit]>y art4 
,= !re lies ! deepe/ satisfaction a     
writ] c ev] secure--art makes liv+ wor? 
8 :ile4     ,,*apt] ,x  ,,=ev] ,,at ,,! 

,,crossroads   ,keep /udy+4 ,keep       
exp]im5t+4 ,set y\rself h>d] tasks4     
,nev] be cont5t ) :at y h accompli%$4   
,mat* y\rself aga9/ ! m5 :o c outplay y1
 n aga9/ ! m5 y already excel4 ,keep    
attempt+ some?+ t baffles y4 ,discont5t 
is y\r fri5d m (t5 ?an y\r enemy4  ,f ! 
mom5t t he is graduat$ out ( ! cub      
report] class1 e writ] :o is wor? 8 salt
 is =ev] at ! crossroads1 p]plex$ ab\t !
 next turn4 ,n[h]e is smugness ( m9d m  
deadly ?an 9 j\rnalism4 ,to progress y  
mu/ =ev] scale m difficult asc5ts4 ,!   
bruises ( rebuffs & ! w\nds ( injur$    
vanity w heal quickly en\gh if y keep   
busy4 ,defeat$ or undefeat$1 ! writ] :o 
always is try+ to ma/] some?+ m         
difficult ?an ! "w he us$ to d pres]ves 
8 self-respect & ! respect ( 8 wor?-:ile
 neighbors4 ,! fell[ ) ! cank] at 8 he>t
 is n ! battl] b ! envi\s %irk] :o is   
too pr\d to risk a fall4  ,swall[ :at y 
suppose to be y\r pride2 x really is a  
false s5se ( dignity4 ,make a simple    
beg9n+ 9 ! univ]sity ( exp]i5ce by le>n+

 ) exp]im5ts :at con/itutes a /ory & by 
drudg+ ) p5cil & typewrit] to put t /ory
 into pr(essional manuscript =m4 ,get ! 
"r pictures = x2 !n %ip x (f to m>ket4  
,if ! fir/ *oice ( m>kets rejects y1 try
 ! second1 ! ?ird1 f\r?1 fif? &         
six?--ev5 unto ! n9ety-&-n9?4  ,few     
beg9n]s h ev5 a dim notion ( ! great    
v>iety ( m>kets t exi/ = free lance     
contributions4 ,!re are c\ntless trade  
publications1 newspap] syndicates1 class
 j\rnals1 h\se organs1 & magaz9es devot$
 to highly specializ$ int]e/s4 ,ne>ly   
all ( ^! publications are eag] to buy   
matt] ( int]e/ to _! p>ticul> circles ( 
read]s4 ,e bus9ess1 e pr(ession1 e      
trade1 e hobby has its m\?piece4        
,rememb] ?is :5 y are a beg9n] & ! big  
magaz9es ( g5]al circulation are reject+
 y\r manuscripts ) a clock-l regul>ity  
:i* drives y almo/ to despair4 ,try y\r 
'pr5tice h& on contributions to ! small]
 publications4 ,t is ! sure/ way to le>n
 :ile y e>n 9 free lanc+4 ,^! humble    
m>kets ne$ n cause y to sne]--p>ticul>ly

 if y happ5 to be a humble beg9n]4  ,e  
laboratory exp]im5t 9 manuscript writ+ &
 m>ket+1 ?\gh x be only a description ( 
a %op w9d[ = a dry goods trade pap]1 or 
an int]view ) a boss plumb] = ! ,gas    
,fitt]'s ,gazette1 w furni% y ) exp]i5ce
 9 y\r own trade1 & set y ahead a /ep on
 ! long road t leads to ! mo/ desirable 
acceptances4 ,! "o ?+ to wat* zeal\sly  
is y\r own developm5t1 to make sure t y 
d n too soon cont5t y\rself ) a*ievem5ts
 b5ea? y\r capabilities4 ,/>t ) ! little
 magaz9es1 b keep attempt+ to atta9 ! m 
difficult goals4  ,mean:ile1 y ne$ n    
apologize to any "o = ! nature ( y\r "w1
 s long z x is hone/ report+ & all z    
well writt5 z y "k h[ to make x4        
,/ev5son1 "o ( ! mo/ consci5ti\s (      
lit]>y arti/s1 decl>$ 9 a ,lett] to a   
,"y ,g5tleman ,:o ,proposes to ,embrace 
! ,c>e] ( ,art1 t ! fir/ duty 9 ?is _w  
is = a man to pay 8 way1 & ?is is "o (  
y\r confess$ purposes :ile y are s]v+   
?is k9d ( j\rnali/ic appr5tice%ip4      
,until he arrives1 ! novice mu/1 inde$1 

unless he be exceptionally gift$1 pay   
assidu\s c\rt to ! b\rgeois :o c>ries ! 
purse4 ,& if 9 ! c\rse ( ^!             
capitulations he %all falsify 8 tal5t1 x
 c nev] h be5 a /rong "o1 & he w h      
pres]v$ a bett] ?+ ?an tal5t--"*4 ,or if
 he be ( a m9d s indep5d5t t he _c /oop 
to ?is necessity1 "o c\rse is yet op53  
he c desi/ f art1 & foll[ "s m manly way
 ( life4  ,9 %ort1 s long z y keep mov+ 
t[>d some?+ wor? atta9+1 !re is no?+ to 
worry ab\t b h[ to keep f relaps+ into  
smugness or idl5ess4 ,! besett+         
temptation ( ! free lance is to pamp]   
himself4 ,he is 8 own boss1 c sleep z   
late z he likes1 g :]e he pleases & quit
 "w :5 ! temptation seizes him4 ,z a    
result1 he usually babies himself &     
turns out mu* less "w ?an he might      
safely attempt )\t 9 ! lea/ endang]+ 8  
heal?4  ,:5 he f9ds out lat] h[         
assidu\sly "s ( ! be/ kn[n ( our au?ors 
keep at _! desks he becomes a little    
a%am$ ( himself4 ,?\gh !y may n "w1 on !
 av]age1 z long h\rs z ! bus9ess man1 !y

 toil f> h>d]1 & usually ) few ( !      
int]ruptions & relaxations f ! job t !  
bus9ess man is all[$4 ,f\r or five h\rs 
( int5se application a day /&s = a great
 deal m exp5diture ( en]gy & ?\ght ?an  
eight or n9e h\rs brok5 up ) p]iods :5  
"o's feet are lit]ally or metaphorically
 on ! desk & g5ial conv]sation is fl[+4 
,mo/ ( ! m5 & wom5 :o make a liv+ out ( 
free lanc+ e>n e bless$ c5t ( x2 & !    
am\nt ^u :i* !y pay an income tax is1 z 
a rule1 proportion$ r ju/ly to ! am\nt (
 conc5trat$ labor t !y p\r into ! hopp] 
( ! copy mill4  ,y :o happ5 to h se5 a  
successful free lance knock (f "w 9     
mid-aft]noon to play t5nis1 or to skim  
away t[>d ! c\ntry club 9 8 new motor c>
 are too likely to exclaim t 8 is !     
exi/5ce6 ,=gett+1 ( c\rse1 ! lonesome   
h\rs ( m or less baffl+ ef=t t he sp5t t
 day ^u a manuscript be=e he lock$ up 8 
work%op4 ,& ! ye>s he sp5t 9 drudg]y1 ! 
bales ( rejection slips he collect$1 !  
times t he _h to pawn 8 wat* & /ick p9  
to buy a d9n] or to pay ! r5t ( a hall  

b$room4  ,"y ,g5tlem5 ,:o ,propose to   
,embrace ! ,c>e] ( ,art might be %ock$  
to le>n--?\gh x w\ld be all = _! own    
good--t a great _m writ]s :o are g5]ally
 reg>d$ ) envy = _! luck take ! pa9s to 
foll[ ! m>ket notes 9 ! ,au?ors' ,league
 ,bullet91 ! ,bookman & ! ,editor       
,magaz9e ) all ! c>e ( a contractor     
/udy+ ! late/ news ( build+ op]ations4  
,n only d ^! writ]s read ! trade pap]s (
 _! call+2 !y also1 ) consid]able c>e1  
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 editor exactly ! same sort ( mat]ial t 
he already has pr9t$ 9 a rec5t or a     
curr5t issue4 ,!y foll[ ! new books4 ,!y
 keep c>d indexes on _! unm>ket$        
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(fice r\t9e z a /ock brok]4 ,a          
surpris+ly l>ge numb] ( ! arriv$ d n ev5
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or produc+1 *iefly = ! b5eficial ex]cise
 ( x1 essays1 j\rnals1 descriptions1    
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sale--solely copybook ex]cises1 produc$ 
= self-improvem5t or to gratify an      
impulse t[>d non-comm]cial art4  ,=     
in/ances ,i c "n a fiction writ] :o     
turns (t5 to ! essay =m1 b nev] publi%es
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does 8 /yle1 composes e ye> a great deal
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publi% _! own magaz9e1 a typewritt5     
publication ) a circulation ( six4  ,^! 
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,!y reg>d !mselves always z /ud5ts :o   
mu/ ev]la/+ly keep try+ m difficult     
tasks to insure a /eady progress t[>d an
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 ,m>t9 once obs]v$1 is done aft] a fell]
 gets out ( college1 & ^! gray-hair$    
exempl>s are--z all ( u ought to        
be--/ill le>n+ to write1 & =ev] at !    
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