We
have hit on what we consider a novel, but effective expedient. Each
contributor to our pages is expected to subscribe for a hundred copies
per month of our magazine--these copies he is asked to disseminate as
widely as possible amongst his friends. The magazine is only sixpence
a month. Of course you get your friends to take the copies off your
hands. Your story will, I think, run for six months--you are really
put to no expense, for, of course, you must know a hundred people who
will gladly take a magazine in which you appear. Thus you gain the
advantage of having your story widely read and published not at your
own expense."
"But please--" began Jasmine.
"If I might speak who am brought here for the purpose," here burst
from Poppy, "what pay is the young lady to have for the words of
genius that she has wrote upon the paper? Yes, Miss Jasmine, you said
I was to let my voice be heard here--I'm not afraid, not of nobody,
and here, I puts down my foot, and I says, 'What's the pay?'"
"The pay?" echoed the editor. "Surely the young lady does not expect
to be paid for anything so very amateur--no, she cannot expect to be
paid in money--in another way she is paid, and largely; she obtains a
reputation, and what immature talent she has is brought to the fore! I
am afraid, Miss Mainwaring, I must not take up any more of your
valuable time--I think I have explained myself quite clearly--do you
accept my offer? If you are willing to become a subscriber for one
hundred copies monthly of _The Joy-bell_ your story shall appear; if
not, I must return you your MS.
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