That Time Jack London wrote for Cosmo Magazine

Yes. That Cosmo.

Jack London was one of the most prolific, successful American novelists of all time.

In his all-too-short lifetime, he completed something to the tune of 292 different pieces of writing including short stories, novels, plays, essays, poems, and more.

He also wrote for Cosmo.

Yes, that Cosmo.

At the time though, their audience, shall we say…a little different.

A little less "7 Ways to Drive Them Crazy in Bed" and a little more "A new story by John Galsworthy in this issue!"

Anyway.

In 1907, London was out of ideas. All of his work up until that point counted on his own experience so he figured he’d solve this lack of new experiences to draw on by going on a round-the-world trip in his new vessel.

He had recently christened The Snark and was preparing for the voyage by pitching magazines for work that he’d write across the voyage.

Cosmopolitan’s editor thought that meant not only exclusive rights for publishing (which would have precluded him from publishing anywhere else) but even suggested the boat’s name itself to be Cosmopolitan.

His answer to the editor is one of my favorite letters.

He wrote (somewhat jokingly):

"I never thought about naming the boat Cosmopolitan. The only objection to that name is, that boats, like horses, should have names of one syllable. Good, sharp, strong names that can never be misheard."

He goes on to say that if Cosmopolitan wanted to pay for the boat, that'd be another story.

London writes:

"There’s one thing that would make me change the name Snark to Cosmopolitan, namely the presentation of the snark to me as an out-and-out present.

She is costing me $10,000 and by golly it would be worth $10,000 in advertising to the magazine.

In return for such a present, not only would I put up with the five-syllable Cosmopolitan, but Magazine to be appended. That would make eight syllables.

Why, I'd even take subscriptions and advertisements for the magazine as I went along!"

London concluded by saying he was only joking…while setting the price for exclusivity at $20,000 whereupon he could “build another Snark and start a year later”

The morals of this story:

It doesn’t matter if you’re working for a business, your family, or yourself. Always know your value. Always know when to say no.

Even if/when you're the highest-profile American writer.