Life, 1907-05-02 · page 39 of 48
Life — May 2, 1907 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains book reviews and advice to magazine writers, with advertisements rather than political cartoons. The "Don'ts for Magazine Writers" section is satirical guidance mocking editorial conservatism. It advises writers to avoid shipwrecks, realistic love stories, original plots, and intellectual content—instead catering to lowest-common-denominator readers. The satire critiques how commercial magazines demand mediocrity, with the closing jab that successful writers like "Lightweight" succeed precisely *because* they lack talent and education. The advertisements include **Garrick Club Whiskey** (marketed as "the best in the house") and **Coca-Cola** (claiming to "relieve fatigue"). The page primarily concerns literary publishing standards and commercial magazine culture of the early 1900s, not political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Books Received He Knew Lincotn, by Ida M. Tarbell. (McClure, Phillips and Company. $0.50) he Croxtey Master, by A. Conan Doyle. (McClure, Phillips | Company.) urtners of Providence, by C.D. Stewart. (The Century Com: ny) “The Substance of Faith, by Sit Oliver Lodge. (Harper and thers. $1.00.) Manners and Social Usoges. (Harper and Brothers. $1.25) e's Crajtzmen, by H.C, McCook. (Harper and Broth $2.00) t, by Hall Caine. (D. Appleton and Company.) + the Sun, by Percival Landon, (Doubleday, Page and. pany. “$4.80.) rm Management, by F. W. Card. (Doubleday, Page and pany. $2.00.) ie Large Print Library; Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronté. hleday, Page and Company. $0.90.) Carmichael, by Anison North, (Doubleday, Page and Com. iy. $1.50) in Experiment in Perjection, by Marion T. D. Barton. (Doubleday, Page and Company. $1.50.) Where the Trail Divides, by Will Lillibridge. (Dodd, Mead i Company. $1.50.) 1¢ Ferry of Fate, by Samuel Gordon. (Duffield and Com: pany. $1.50.) The Brass Bowl, by L. J. Vance. (The Bobbs- Merrill Com. ny) ¢ Case o] Dr. Horace, by J. H. Prentis, (Baker, Taylor and mpany. $1.25) The Veiled Lady, by F. H. Smith. (Charles Scribner's Sons. he New Theology. by K. J. Campbell. (The Macmillan y of the American Navy, by J. R. Spears, $0.50) 1 Bird'veye View of American History, by 1. C. Prince. (Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.25.) ¢ Cave Men, by John Corbin. (D. Appleton and Company 4, by Myra Kelly. (D. Appleton and Com The Truce in the East end its Ajtermath, by B. L. P. Weale. (The Macmillan Company. $3.50.) Tux so ne turers come to believe that the anti labor agitation isn't child's play, the better—Adante DON'TS FOR MAGAZINE WRITERS To rue Epitox or Tux Suy—Sir: The writer of the letter Lightweight in a recent issue of the Sun spoke of what recognized geniuses must do to write acceptable short stories the monthly magazines, but he did not tell what they must net to, I will endeavor to supply that information, gained by i at the feet of the editors of various publications. Com have been heard in your columns to the effect that cold ps will do no good: this is the real article. In the first place, never write a sea tale with a shipwreck. The readers of the Blank Magazine do not like to read of death ca the ocean. So says the editor. Never under any consideration write a good “hot” newspaper y." Most editors have been in the business, and say they all lies, A real love story is never acceptable. It would shock the readers of the Dash Magazine to learn how human beings with red blood in their veins act. Write a love tale suited for ‘the intellect of a kindergarten child and a check will reward your efforts. Never by any chance conceive a new plot or idea for a yarn. To win acceptance you must use those that are in their dotage and are easily recognized. Editors are afraid to print anything without all the marks of great age, It would startle the muddy minds of readers—and that woukd never do. Lastly, beware what will happen if you write above the head {a cart driver in any way. You are surely doomed to failure. But, you say, there is nothing left. What can I write that will be acceptable? The answer is easy. You must lower your intelligence to write to the level of the ordinary reader, bred on. yellow journalism, to whom the great names of literature mean ng. If you can do this your work will be eagerly snapped ike that of “ Lightweight,” who boasts that he has no talent cation. Of course not! It is nearly impossible for any rement to write “stuff” that will appeal to those cagerly await the publication of the Monthly Traskbasket. ¢ best thing, it seems to me, for the man with genius, is to keep right on turning out the best that is in him. Meanwhile, " grow old grinding out “punk” for the ses." —J. H.W, in the Sun. Garrick Club Whiskey Garrick Club Rye on the buffet marks the host a connoisseur “THE BEST IN THE HOUSE” Alfred E. Norris & Co., Proprietors, Philadel phia It is a little book devoted entirely to giving the game away—in verse and picture. By James Montgomery Flagg—(You know the other books —TOMFOOLERY & “IF; a Guide to Bad Manners”). It's 75 Cents Postpaid LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 17 Wes 31st Street, New York City a RELIEVES FATIGUE. SFR SAP SRS IE comicbooks.com