Mass market sales have forced authors’ incomes to reduce by up to seventy five percent. Because retailers demand larger discounts. Instead of ten percent of the cover price, now the author’s paid ten percent of a quarter of the cover price. Now authors are paid by the same commission, but based on ‘net receipts’. Contracts used to be based on commission paid on the price per title – ten percent for a hardback, seven and a half for a paperback.
Authors have seen their incomes slashed in the last ten years. It’s not only them – it’s all those working in the creative arena who’re being hit currently. Sirs - especially Mr Naughty - I am a writer, the author of a successful series of 25 books, and I am heartily sick of hearing about the poor little musicians.
