Читать книгу The Selected Works of Arnold Bennett: Essays, Personal Development Books & Articles - Arnold Bennett - Страница 82

After the agreement is signed, the author should get back his typescript and scrupulously revise and correct it, in order to avoid alterations and corrections (for which he may be called upon to pay) in proof. When the time for "setting up” comes, he will receive proofs from either the publishers or the printers. These proofs may be either in long "slips” or in page form, according to arrangement They will have been carefully corrected before they reach the author, whose work on them (provided he has properly revised the typescript) will therefore be light They will probably arrive in small daily batches, and they should be returned with promptness. If the corrections or alterations are unfortunately heavy, a second proof may be advisable. When he has finally passed the proofs " for press,” the author will see nothing more of his precious and epoch-making book until the parcel of six free copies arrives on the day of publication. He should subscribe to a good press-cutting agency for cuttings of reviews. A novel or other book of a popular description issued by a good firm will usually receive upwards of forty reviews.

He should watch the advertisements of his book. An occasional diplomatic letter to the publishers in reference to advertisements may sometimes do good. An enterprising firm will advertise a book, especially a novel, four or five days a week in daily and weekly papers, for two and even three months. I have estimated, from my own personal observation, that certain publishers have advertised certain quite ordinary books between a hundred and fifty and two hundred times within the space of three months.

If a first book achieves a sale of a thou-sand copies it does very well. The average circulation of first books is probably nearer five hundred.