Literary Pay

This column discusses the recent respectability and stability of the writing profession, discussing in particular the rates modern writers receive from the major periodicals. There is a humorous comparison of the pay modern writers receive to the pay that the "greats" received in the past. The article argues, however, that The New American Cycolpaedia published by D. Appleton and Company, is a good example of a cautionary tale to young writers who expect publications to pay reasonably or even well. The article discusses the positive anticipation of the Cyclopadia and the errors discovered in the articles upon close review. The article argues that this is due to the low rates the publishers paid the writers and claims that if the writers had received pay that was comperable to the work required of them, the articles would have been more accurate.