The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 990, December 17, 1898 — John Shaqi
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 990, December 17, 1898Various
General
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 990, December 17, 1898
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals
M. S. W.--Your verses are superior to the average of those we receive
for criticism, yet we can hardly say they are sufficiently good for you
to expect payment for them. You could offer "Donald's Away" to another
magazine, if you have not sold the copyright; but you would be obliged
to tell the editor it had already appeared elsewhere, and this would
prove a drawback. "Long ago," and the two verses you enclose, are very
creditable work, and it is possible, of course, that you might receive
remuneration for them; but it is very difficult thus to dispose of
"magazine verse," the supply being large and the competition keen.
PURPLE HEATHER.--We are afraid we must reiterate to you the unpalatable
advice of our last answer. The verses are not bad, but it is very
unlikely that you would ever receive any payment for them. Poetry of
real merit is slow in finding acceptance in the present day. We must
advise you to turn your attention to some more practical way of making
money. There are many occupations besides teaching by which you could
earn something.
ISOBEL.--1. Your poem, "I Long to be There," is not sufficiently
original to be worthy of publication. The chief criticism we should
offer upon it is that we have frequently read hymns expressing the
same sentiment in very similar words. This is not wonderful when the
same idea possesses many Christian hearts, but it would diminish the
value of your composition from any editor's point of view.--2. Do you
wish your poems "published" or "printed"? If you only wanted one copy,
the cost would not exceed a few shillings; but much depends on the
quality of paper, type and binding. Consult the nearest printer of good
business reputation.
EMMA PORTLOCK.--Your verses, considering your circumstances, do you
credit. You should entitle a poem "In Memoriam," or else "Memoria," not
"Memoriam" alone, as it is not grammatically correct. Do not use "thee"
and "you" alternately in addressing the same person.
A. B.--We can never reply "in the next number" of THE GIRL'S OWN
PAPER, as we go to press long before you receive your magazine. We are
sorry to seem generally discouraging, but "Evening" contains nothing
original, nor would it be likely to find a publisher. Poetic genius is
the dower of a very few; but there must be something "fresh" about work
that commands success.
NANNEE.--Your poem "Speculations" is very interesting, though here and
there is a halting line, such as
"Or not till my soul's new birth,"
where the emphasis would have to fall on "till" to make the line scan.
We can tell you, however, that the thought expressed is not commonplace.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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