But other than that, how'd you like the manuscript?

 

Poor William M. Stuart. He must have had high hopes for his book manuscript when he sent it to Bobbs-Merrill for publishing consideration in 1927. He had four questions in his accompanying letter for which he sought constructive feedback:

1. Does the sex interest hurt it?
2. Is the history stressed too much?
3. Does the "double" motif hurt it?
4. Is it well written?

The letter and manuscript found their way to Anne Johnston, likely an editor at some level in the publishing firm. She began with a polite response that seemed headed for a graceful exit without having to critique Mr. Stuart’s writing. She even indicated there was no problem with the first three questions. But her response to the fourth question did not pull any punches:

“I’m afraid I must confess—as it seems to me--the most striking defect in your work is the style, which is simply not that of the craftsman. This won’t give you any help, I know, and I’m sorry. I haven’t anything to suggest, either, except study some of our masters, and more writing.”

Poor Mr. Stuart, he had no style. While his first three questions were of no concern to Ms. Johnston, it may have been only because it didn’t matter. Her reply to that last question rendered the first three moot. But he redeemed himself, eventually writing and publishing several books—mostly local history and I’m guessing devoid of sex interest (his first question to Bobbs-Merrill). I wonder if that rejected manuscript is hiding in an attic somewhere? Might be interesting to see.

Researching Anne Johnston, I learned she was no stranger to brutal honesty with a writer's manuscript. John Flood found out a few months before Ms. Johnston’s letter to Mr. Stuart. 

Mr. Flood was a good friend and personal secretary of Old West legend Wyatt Earp. He had penned an authorized biography of Earp, sent it off, and was gunned down at the Bobbs-Merrill Corral. She characterized the writing as “stilted, florid, and diffuse.” Then she unloaded both barrels:

“Now one forgets what it’s all about in the clutter of unimportant details that impedes its pace, and the pompous manner of its telling.”

That was enough for Earp, who let Flood go and eventually found another writer, resulting in Stuart Lake's famous book, Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal. The publisher was Houghton Mifflin. No idea if Bobbs-Merrill had a second crack at it. Doubtful.