_Is it a Socialist Magazine?_ It is a magazine for humanity, and humanity is social. It holds that Socialism, the economic theory, is part of our gradual Socialization, and that the duty of conscious humanity is to promote Socialization.
_Why is it published?_ It is published to express ideas which need a special medium; and in the belief that there are enough persons interested in those ideas to justify the undertaking.
AS TO ADVERTISING:
We have long heard that "A pleased customer is the best advertiser."
The Forerunner offers to its advertisers and readers the benefit of this authority. In its advertising department, under the above heading, will be described articles personally known and used. So far as individual experience and approval carry weight, and clear truthful description command attention, the advertising pages of The Forerunner will be useful to both dealer and buyer. If advertisers prefer to use their own statements The Forerunner will publish them if it believes them to be true.
AS TO CONTENTS:
The main feature of the first year is a new book on a new subject with a new name:--
_"Our Androcentric Culture."_ this is a study of the historic effect on normal human development of a too exclusively masculine civilization.
It shows what man, the male, has done to the world: and what woman, the more human, may do to change it.
_"What Diantha Did."_ This is a serial novel. It shows the course of true love running very crookedly--as it so often does--among the obstructions and difficulties of the housekeeping problem--and solves that problem. (NOT by co-operation.)
Among the short articles will appear:
"Private Morality and Public Immorality."
"The Beauty Women Have Lost"
"Our Overworked Instincts."
"The Nun in the Kitchen."
"Genius: Domestic and Maternal."
"A Small G.o.d and a Large G.o.ddess."
"Animals in Cities."
"How We Waste Three-Fourths Of Our Money."
"Prize Children"
"Kitchen-Mindedness"
"Parlor-Mindedness"
"Nursery-Mindedness"
There will be short stories and other entertaining matter in each issue.
The department of "Personal Problems" does not discuss etiquette, fashions or the removal of freckles. Foolish questions will not be answered, unless at peril of the asker.
AS TO VALUE:
If you take this magazine one year you will have:
One complete novel . . . By C. P. Gilman One new book . . . By C. P. Gilman Twelve short stories . . . By C. P. Gilman Twelve-and-more short articles . . . By C. P. Gilman Twelve-and-more new poems . . . By C. P. Gilman Twelve Short Sermons . . . By C. P. Gilman Besides "Comment and Review" . . . By C. P. Gilman "Personal Problems" . . . By C. P. Gilman And many other things . . . By C. P. Gilman
DON"T YOU THINK IT"S WORTH A DOLLAR?
THE FORERUNNER CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN"S MAGAZINE CHARLTON CO., 67 WALL ST., NEW YORK
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Please find enclosed $_____ as subscription to "The Forerunner" from _____ 19___ to _____ 19___
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[Advertis.e.m.e.nt]
Confidential Remarks About Our Advertising
This magazine was planned to carry twenty-four pages of reading matter and eight of advertising matter.
A careful list was made of about twenty first cla.s.s articles, personally known and used by the editor; and the offer was made to write absolutely true descriptions and recommendations of them.
The value of this form of advertis.e.m.e.nt was not in the extent of the circulation, but in
a. The unique and attractive method.
b. The select cla.s.s of goods.
c. The select cla.s.s of readers.
d. The weight of a personal authority specially known to these select readers.
Our readers as far as heard from have almost without exception spoken highly of our advertis.e.m.e.nts and declared they would purchase the goods.
If, however, the amount of sales secured does not equal the price of the advertis.e.m.e.nt, there is no reason whatever why any dealer should use our pages.
There is a tooth-paste, specially recommended by physicians, well used and found of marked value, noticeably checking decay of the teeth and improving mouth and throat conditions.
Now, suppose the makers take one page in one issue of The Forerunner at $25.00. Then suppose that only one thousand of our readers spend 25 cents each to try that tooth-paste. That makes $250.00; and the makers ought to get at least half of it.
if only two hundred did it, the makers would still get their money back--to say nothing of the additional advertising given by each new purchaser who likes it.
Here is an experiment The Forerunner would like to try.