Life, 1922-02-16 · page 34 of 34
Life — February 16, 1922 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical diary entry mocks the literary world's mutual back-scratching and networking culture. An unpublished author ("I") trades favors with a columnist ("Al") and a newspaper critic ("Smithers")—exchanging praise, positive reviews, and promotional blurbs regardless of actual literary merit. The author admits to writing a book review based entirely on secondhand information from Smithers himself, yet gains fame through this circular system of reciprocal endorsements. The joke: professional success depends not on writing quality but on cultivating relationships with influential media figures and trading flattery. The author abandons actual writing to network, yet receives promised publication and acclaim. This exposes how 1920s publishing relied on cronyism rather than genuine literary merit—a pointed critique of the publishing industry's superficiality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EALTHY teeth cannot live in ith PS hea. ; scan a with Pyorrhea are usly .dis- eased. For not only are the teeth affecied, but Pyorthea germs seep into the body, lower its vitality <*Byorihes beting with tender and rhea begins with tender an bleeding gums. Then the gums re- cede, the teeth decay, loosen and fallout or mustbe extracted to rid system of the poisonous germs thatbreed in pockets about them. Four out_of five people over have this disease. But you neednothaveit. Visit your dentist often for teeth and gum inspec- tion. And keep Pyorrhea away by using Forhan's Forthe Gums, Forhan's For the Gums will prevent Pyorthea—or check its — if used in time and Used consistently. Ordinary dentifrices cannot do this. For- hhan’s keeps the gumshard and healthy, the teeth white and clean. if you have tender or bleeding gums, start using it today. If gum-shrinkage has already set in, use Forhan's according to directions, and consult a dentist immedi- ately for special treatment. and_60c tubes in ULS. and Canada. Formula of R. 3, Forhan, D. D. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON “I£ you are good, I'll give you this nice, new shiny quart dirty old “Haven't Paty got a horrid, lollar bill instead?” —Le Journal Amusant (Paris). * DEP E = The Making of a Modern Author ONDAY, toth.— Terrible news. Publishers sent back latest work. Said it was no good, There’s hope though. Al has promised to praise me in his column. Tuesday, 18th.—Al’s stuff going fine. Publishers called up and suggested changes to make MS. acceptable. I've promised to write the blurb on Al’s col- lected essays. How his stuff gets over and mine doesn’t is a mystery to me. Too busy to do any work. Wednesday, 19th—Had lunch with Al and Smithers, of the Star. Told Smithers how wonderful I think his rotten bunk is. He seemed to swallow it all right. Al wrote the lunch up, quoting my jokes and a piece from my first book. He thought the blurb for his essays was great. Tuesday, 25th—Smithers has hailed me in his column as a “great writer” and hoped for more of my books. Al printed the blurb I wrote for him, and got his Literary Editor to give me Smithers’ book for review. Friday, 28th—Haven’t had time to touch MS. It can wait. Read a bit of Smithers’ stuff, but I can’t stick it. Took Smithers to lunch and got him to tell me what it’s all about. He seems to think it’s good. Saturday, 5th—Wrote what Smith- ers told me as the review of his book. He was delighted and offered to write my publishers some ‘“‘ad” copy. They insist upon having the MS., but I sim- ply can’t find time to do any writing at all. The Pacific Monthly wants a series of sketches on contemporary authors. The others will write me up. Fame at last ! As to Tips The number of persons in the | United States who depend in whole or in part upon tips for their compen- | sation has reached 7,000,000, according to a recent compilation. This is 2,000,- 000 more than in 1910—a gain of 40 per cent. Persons interested in abolishing the “tipping evil” should take courage from these figures. At the present rate it will be a matter of only a few decades before the number of persons receiving tips will exceed the number of those who give them. Once an overwhelming majority of tip receivers is established, the “evil” of tipping ought automat- ically to disappear—or at any rate we may expect to hear much less about it. Limited First Visitor: Ring up Central and ask them which is the taller—the Woolworth Building or the Metropoli- tan Tower. Seconp Visitor: What for? “Well, we haven’t time to see both.” ‘Tue CAREY PRINTING CO. Ine, ‘New Yorn. RS risgats ON IT name y name name by PISO’: SAFE AND SAN For Coughs & Col This svtup 1s different from all others Pleasant —sives quick relief Contains no oprates—good for young and old 35¢ per bottle everywhi Pe setae ek: cee Pe ees a eae ’Twas Ever Thus CAN not cook— The heat affects my head. Nor sweep a room— My heart was never strong I can not nurse the sick; My doctor said With my neuritis Sewing would be wrong. But I can walk ten Miles upon the links And with a man Play golf the whole day long. Anne Pleasants. Saturday’s Knight! Pestor (looking up from his paper): I say, Jim, what is the of the Bath? Nestor (embracing the o, nity): Well, as I’ve experiencec first the water’s too hot, then cold; then you’re short a tow: you step on the soap, and, fin: telephone bell rings! Mrs. Hoyre: Is your hus member of any organization? Mrs. Doyte: Yes! Home F Union. THE war must be over those safety matches really 1 Soothing and Healing Gives Speedy Relief to Babies Tortured by Skin Trouble Will not irritate the tender skin comicbooks.com