UK Government Cuts Affect Authors

[Pauline Rowson]

I've written an entry on my personal blog www.paulinerowson.com but thought UK writers might not have read the latest news on the government cuts that affect authors.

With the passing of the Digital Economy Bill before Parliament closed for the general election Public Lending Rights (PLR) was to be extended to e books and audio books. Unfortunately, the new Lib-Con Coaliton government has gone back on that and postponed it with the saving of £300,000. It is to reviewed in the autumn but I wouldn't hold your breath guys, or book that World cruise on the strength of it.

[I. J. Parker]

:) Rubbing salt into the wound.

[Pauline Rowson]

I think our comments must have crossed looking at this dialogue below. Hope my comment answers your question but the simple reply is that American authors aren't eligible for UK PLR so you won't get anything. Congrats on being published in the UK though. I'll look you up in my local library when I get the chance.

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks, Pauline. Yes, this is one of my betes noirs. And Severn House (our publisher) pursues the library market.

[Pauline Rowson]

Authors get a very small sum of money every time their books are borrowed from a UK Library to a maximum of £6,000 per annum, which is a small amount but nevertheless very welcomed. You are correct that they have a similar system in Canada but I don't think you have it in the US though you should. However, American authors whose books are borrowed from UK libraries are not eligible to receive UK PLR - sorry, just as I don't get anything when my books are borrowed in the US or Canada. I get some money when they are borrowed in Europe through what is called the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and I also receive money when extracts from my business books are photocopied. I think a universal system of PLR would be fantastic but I doubt we'd ever get it.

[I. J. Parker]

I think I understand. These lending rights have something to do with authors getting a share in public library use of their books. Right? They have that in Canada. They don't have it in the U.S. We get zilch! Now that I'm published in the UK, will that mean I might get a little bit of library money? Or will the publisher get it?