The Author's If - Katherine Roberts
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.. . The famous poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling needs little introduction. But did you know this poem was originally published in 1910 as a mere introduction to a chapter in a book of historical fantasy stories for children called Rewards and Fairies ? (I didn't, and I write historical fantasy for young readers myself.) Several other poems and short stories by Rudyard Kipling appeared in that collection, and yet "If" is the one most people remember today. The poem is now in the public domain, so you can read it in full by following the link below. CLICK HERE TO READ RUDYARD KIPLING'S "IF" There are obvious lessons an author can take away from "If" - not the least that a single story or poem buried in a collection might turn out to be the most important work of your entire career... so watch those contracts, people! I've been having the kind of ...