Miscellany
It’s soapbox city in the wide world of writing this month as authors stand up for diversity, fair festival fees and less grit in kid-lit
THE WORLD OF WRITING
Better festival fees for writers demanded
(© Peter Curbishley, Flickr Creative Commons)
Things could be looking up for the many writers who are the backbone of literary festivals.
The Society of Authors called on festival organisers to pay more money to writers who appear at their events, making the point that literary events might indeed help book sales, ‘but guest writers who give up time at the keyboard need money’. (See Writers’ News, p88)
Their call did not fall on deaf ears. The SoA said festivals have responded positively, and best practice guidelines were being drafted.
Nick Clark, arts correspondent of The Independent, said that with more than 350 events being staged each year, a growing number of authors are frustrated that they’re not sharing – from a financial perspective, at least – in the book bonanza.
‘At present, while some authors can be asked to appear for no money, others are paid a fee described as inadequate by the Society of Authors. It wants every festival that charges admission to pay speakers more for appearing.’