Writing the Short-Story. By J. Berg Esen wain, Lit.D. (Hinds.
Noble, and Eldridge, Now York. Gs.)—Mr. Esonwein is editor of Lippincott's Mont hill Magazine, and when he tells us about the "rise, structure, writing, and sale of the modern short-story " we feel that wo are being instructed by an expert. The book is eminently practical. Early in the volume comes a list of the seven "characteristics of the true short-story." It is worth while to quote them: "A single predominating incident : a single pre-eminent character : imagination : plot : compression : organisa- tion : unity of impression." These characteristics are commented ou and illustrated by a number of interesting examples. Finally —this is a book which wo do not pretend to criticise—the author condescends to some detailed instructions, commonplace, perhaps, but eminently useful, about selling the article when it is finished. He deals with the "pros" and " cons " concerning the literary agent, and with other matters. He even tells the aspirant that if the MS. shows signs of having gone on its travels before, he would do well to replace the tell-tale pages by now ones. On one important matter lie insists,—the contributions sent in are read. Indeed, ho calculates that it costs American maga- zines a hundred thousand dollars annually to read contributions which are sent in and rejected This question of the reality of the judgment passed. on unsolicited work extends to all periodical literature, and is not a little obscure. Doubtless the magazine has more opportunity of doing the work well than the daily, or even the weekly, journal. The writer of this notice may give an experience of his own. He wrote at the request of the proprietor an article for a certain magazine and sent it to the editor. It was returned as "unsuitable to the magazine." Tho proprietor intervened, and it appeared, not without approval. What are the chances of acceptance ? it may be asked. How it is in the United States we know not, but the editor of an English magazine told the writer that the average of acceptances of unsolicited articles was loss than five per cent.
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