Fruits of a Literary Locarno

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12406, 27 March 1926, Page 11

Fruits of a Literary Locarno

Feuds between publishers and authors have long been a commonplaoe of the literary life. Even in these milder-mannered days, when a gathering of authors would no longer drink the health of a national enemy because he had once shot a publisher, each of these classes maintains a vigorous organisation, largely to protect itself against the other (says a London correspondent). But the spirit of Locarno is now in the air. Members of the Association and the Authors’ Society alike have discovered that they have a common interest in selling as many books as possible. The retail booksellers, too, who from time to time reveal grievances of their own against the producers of the wares _ they sell, have learned that the chief problem is to convert the general public to the belief that books are not a luxury but a necessity. So they are combining with publishers and authors to form a _ National Book Council, whose main object is “to promote the habit of reading and to encourage the wider distribution of books.”

jThere has been a prompt response to the first proposals set out for the organisation of this, council. Almost every firm of general publishers (as distinct from educational, medical and scientific) has joined it. To most booksellers the idea of a publicity campaign is ' a novel one, but nevertheless they are prepared to do their best to make the experiment a success. The authors need little persuasion.

Several schemes have alrerady been taken in hand. Bibliographies,_ not of authors but of subjects, are being nreparerd, especially for the practical purpose of helping the booksellers, to answer quetqes at a moment’s notice. Tnese lists will include only books that are now in print, and will he compiled by various institutes and societies.

Negotiations are on foot for cd-oper-ation with the British Institute .of Adult Education and similar, bodies. The clergy, whose assistance in rural parishes especially might mean a great deni, will also be roped in. . Lectures and addresses will be given in various parts of the country under the auspices of the local booksellers. In London a beginning was made bv a series of lectures in which St. .Tohn Frvine, Hugh Walpole a.ud Michael Sadleir took part. ' . The committee of the council is considering several other schemes: e.g., book weeks, the formation of libraries for employees at workshops ancT stores, the encouragement of local literary clubs, and debating societies, lectures at schools, prizes for essays written about books ’by hoys and nirls. and 60 on. The enterprise, is being taken un in real earnest, with something of the enthusiasm of a crusade. and it mn.v well prove successful in giving the circulation of hooks the stimulus it so much needs in these days of movies and radio. —>HgSOCSO<—