Does anyone have experience of publishing conference proceedings? We could try to find a publisher who will do this for us (at what cost?). Or we could do it ourselves - yes I know about the copyright copy to the BL and getting an ISBN. Has anyone got any good advice? Or does anyone know of a good publisher who is likely to be prepared to do this? Please contact kcm@cix.co.uk or please email : Rosemary Culley direct from here.
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Society to share Meetings
The Wilkie Collins Society is looking for a prospective 'partner' to share meetings. The 'partner' should somehow relate to Collins and preferably be based in the London area. Please contact Andrew Gasson, 3 Merton House, 36 Belsize Park, London NW3 4EA or email apogee@gasson.demon.co.uk
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Non-payment
I have received an e-mail from a person who has not been paid by their publisher. Has anyone any ideas on how to get the money due?

The lady writes: My husband and I have written 2 books, one is in its 8th printing and the publisher refuses to honor their contract to pay us. They won't even give us an accounting of what the books have earned. They refuse to return calls and ignore us or promise to get back to us and never do. Our contract states they are to provide us with bi-annual updates/reports and checks. We have not received a check or an accounting for about three years now. Are there any organizations or attornies that fight for the little guy. We have been congratulated on writing a viable book, and even after 8 years it is a #2 best seller on Amazon.com in it's genre. Is there any help for the writer?

I just want to warn other authors about this sort of thing. The publisher is Carol Publishing/Citadel Press in New Jersey, USA. When my first check was late they said they were under an audit by an irate author...I wonder if this is their usual procedure?
This letter arrived 6th November 2000: Newsletter -Non Payment to authors. I was interested to read the problem of non-payment of monies due to an author from the publisher.

I am also aware of an author who is a friend with a similar tale to tell about non payment of royalties on a book written by that person and for royalties due on other books for which the author holds the copyright. It seems that this might be a common problem. If the publisher refuses to pay - there are a never ending list of reasons that the more untrustworthy ones use for not doing so - it is, as I see it almost impossible to get recompense. The sums involved are usually small and resorting to law would not seem to be an option as the cost would probably outweigh what could be obtained.

One excuse used by small publishers is that they have to get production costs back first before they pay royalties - contracts need to be studied carefully to see that this cannot happen. I personally have always believe that the contract should state that an agreed amount of royalty should be paid on every book sold regardless of the costs of the publisher. But even then one generally has to rely on the honesty of the publisher to account for how many books have been sold. I have not been directly invoved in publishing by a second party so have no great experience of contracts etc. but from what I have learned of publishing from other peoples experience it is a minefield and the publisher holds most of the cards.

I would certainly be interested if anyone has an answer to this problem so that I could pass it on to the author who is being deprived of their just royalties.
From: Frederick Lane E-mail:flane@unisonfree.net The webmaster would be very interested to hear of any other similar experience and any method of redress that has been discovered which can be added to this thread.

Reply:

I suggest contacting the Society of Authors for such advice. I must say that, on the whole (after seven books) I had little trouble with publishers. They do need a bullet occasionally to remind them that their bills do need paying!

  A good technique is the rather horrid modern one of 'Naming and Shaming'. If the Society of Authors - or yourselves, if you think you have 'the clout' - mentions the offenders in print (and after all a copy letter without a response would constitute proof of non-payment), they can hardly be surprised if their Authors were to advise their friends not to use them!

This reply came from peter.mccall@westlodge.cdr-i.net who is willing to be contacted.

Rosemary Culley
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Has anyone found a Literary Society for Winifred Holtby
Please email : Rosemary Culley
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Has anyone found a Literary Society for William Golding?
Please email : Rosemary Culley
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Does anyone know of a Society for Henry Major Tomlinson (1873-1958)?
If they do, please could they contact Mr H. Steward, tel: 01903 882235 or contact me Thank you!
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If anyone wants a query added to the page, please let me know. If I can, I will try to find out if I can put a page where you can put your questions, and your answers. If you think this is a good idea, please would you let me know? Very many thanks. Please email : the owner, hon. sec. of the Alliance of Literary Societies Thanks!
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