Settled in London by 1888, Long, through a stroke of luck, was introduced to Jerome K. Jerome (1859–1927), journalist and author of "Three Men in a Boat" (1889) fame, who promptly hired him as an office boy. Jerome was then the co-editor of "The Idler" and sole editor of "To-Day", two of the most popular British periodicals of the time. Robert soon began writing book reviews and other short items which he then submitted to Jerome. For several years, Robert continued to develop and polish his writing skills, and accordingly rose through the ranks, so that by 1897, he found himself on the editorial staff both publications. He became confident enough, while continuing to work for Jerome, to set out on his own and in 1894 became ""engaged in journalism as London correspondent for American newspapers.""