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[Originally
published in The Star Reporter: A Monthly Publication for People
Interested in Journalism, Volume 1, May 1922]
"Never
by satisfied" Says Edward E. Lee Edward Edson Lee, who is one of the foremost writers of "boy" stories, has but two rules for success in life--and in writing. They are: "Be sincere in everything you do" and "Never be satisfied." Through all the years of adversity, Mr. Lee has followed those two simple rules. His life today stands out as a practical result of their application. If you have turned the pages of any of the recent copies of "The American Boy," you have undoubtedly read--and enjoyed--the "Advertising Andy" stories written by Mr. Lee. In less than two years, Mr. Lee has developed into one of the foremost authors of "boy" stories in the country. Mr. Lee's life has been one long struggle against poverty and obscurity. He was born September 2, 1884, on his grandfather's farm near the small town of Meriden, Illinois. Four years later, his grandfather died, leaving nothing but debts. His mother moved to Utica, Illinois, and there Lee attended school until he was thirteen. While at school the literary urge in Mr. Lee's life became pronounced. his efforts were crude, but he wrote "stories" in many of his spare moments. There were no rules he could follow, no advice to guide him. He wrote and wrote merely in the pleasure of it. At the age of thirteen, his family moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, and there he secured work in the machine shop of the P. B. Yates Machine Company. Still the writing went on, even though he knew that the stores he turned out were "fizzles." At fifteen, he wrote his first "boy" story, and finally plucked up enough courage to send it to the editor of "Golden Days." After an impatient wait, came a long envelope, and in it was his story--returned. But also in it was handwritten letter from the editor, complimenting the youth on his efforts, and telling him that it was "pretty good for a boy." In his twenties, after he was married, Mr. Lee secured a position in the advertising offices of the Yates Machine Company. His success in this line drew him from there to the offices of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit, and finally to the position as Sales Promotion manager of the Autocall Company, of Shelby, Ohio. With his success in the business world assured, Mr. Lee now turned to real effort of writing stories for boys. His first success came when "The American Boy" accepted "The Rose Colored Cat," and then "Advertising Andy" which is a series now being published. Another of his serials will appear at a later date in "The American Boy." The "Advertising Andy" series proved so popular that Mr. Lee was asked to submit material for a book. The D. Appleton & Company of New York will bring out his book later in the summer, which will be followed by more of the "Andy Blake" series, all designed to help boys as well as entertain them. In person, Mr. Lee is rather inclined to be stout, with a jolly, good-natured face. In his dealing, generosity and tolerance seem to be the guiding factors. Expressed in one word, Mr. Lee is a MAN. But far above any rules, his love for boys stands out. He says: "I can write only boy stores. I attribute my success in the boy field to the fact that I intensely love boys. There isn't anything in the world to me that compare with a BOY. I thing a boy is the king of the world. I love to be with boys, to watch them, to play with them, if I have the chance."
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