Books › Blue Book v057 n06 [1933-10], 1933 › scan 6
Scan 6
Blue Book v057 n06 [1933-10], 1933
39 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Stories of Real Experience
2A PRIZE OFFER
4THE truth that is stranger than fiction; the hour so crowded with excitement that it shines bright before all others in memory—these are tremendously interesting to everyone. For this reason we print each month in our Real Experience Department (beginning on Page 147 of this issue) a group of true stories contributed by our readers. And for this department we are glad to receive true stories of real experience, told in about 2,000 words; and for each of the five best of these we will pay fifty dollars.
6In theme the stories may deal with adventure, mystery, sport, humor,—especially humor!—war or business. Sex is barred. Manuscripts should be addressed to the Real Experience Editor, the Blue Book Magazine, 230 Park Ave., New York, N. Y. Preferably but not necessarily they should be typewritten, and should be accompanied by a stamped and self-addressed envelope for use in case the story is unavailable.
8A pen name may be used if desired, but in all cases the writer's real name and permanent address should accompany the manuscript. Be sure to write your name and correct address in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of your story, and keep a copy as insurance against loss of the original; for while we handle manuscripts with great care, we cannot accept responsibility for their return. As this is a monthly contest, from one to two months may elapse before you receive a report on your story.
10Do you AIM… or just hope to WRITE?
12A GREAT deal depends on your reaction to that question. Naturally, desire to write does not necessarily mean ability to write. Yet it is surprising how rapidly a man or woman with keen interest in writing will overcome personal limitations and handicaps. The first efforts of many of our most successful authors are crude and amateurish. Here in the Newspaper Institute, many students who are now actually selling their work barely managed to pass the Writing Aptitude Test required for admission into the course (see coupon below).
14A TYPICAL EXAMPLE
15Darrell E. Jordan, P. O. Box 277, Friendship, N. Y., is one of many students who made rapid progress under N.I.A. training. He writes:
16"Perhaps you will be interested to learn that I have just sold two more stories. One of these was to The Blue Book and the other was sold to True Detective Mysteries. I feel quite encouraged, for I consider both these magazines a step in advance of the ones I have sold to formerly."
18This and numerous other experiences with ambitious writers have convinced us that writing is in a class by itself. All the wanting in the world won't make a man of weak physique into a football player—or a tone-deaf woman into a great singer. But if you really want to write—and if you are willing to make a real intelligent effort to learn to write, the odds are heavily in favor of your getting somewhere in the writing game.
20Learn to Write by Writing
21Newspaper Institute training is based on the New York Copy-Desk Method. It starts you writing in your own home, on your own time. Week by week you receive actual assignments, just as if you were right at work on a great metropolitan daily. All your writing is individually corrected and criticized by Veteran New York newspaper men—editors who have had years of experience "breaking in" new writers. They will point out those faults of style, structure or viewpoint that keep you from progressing. They will give you constructive suggestions for building up and developing your natural aptitudes.
23In fact, so stimulating is this association that student members often begin to sell their work before they finish the course. We do not mean to insinuate that they sky-rocket into the "big money" or become prominent overnight. Most beginnings are made with earnings of $25, $50, $100 or more, for material that takes little time to write—stories, articles on business, fads, travels, sports, recipes, etc.—things that can easily be turned out in leisure hours, and often on the impulse of the moment.
25How you start
26We have prepared a unique Writing Aptitude Test. This tells you whether you possess the fundamental qualities necessary to successful writing—acute observation, dramatic instinct, creative imagination, etc. You'll enjoy this test. The coupon will bring it, without obligation. Newspaper Institute of America, 1776 Broadway, New York.
28Newspaper Institute of America 68J453
291776 Broadway, New York
31Send me, without cost or obligation, your Writing Aptitude Test and further information about writing for profit, as promised in Blue Book—October.
33Mr. ____________________________
34Mrs. ____________________________
35Miss. ____________________________
37Address ____________________________
38(All correspondence confidential. No salesmen will call on you.)
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.