Brought to book?

JOHN RADFORD - I AM negotiating to do a second edition of a well-received book I wrote a dozen years ago. It is strongly supported by three very distinguished referees. I estimate it will take me the equivalent of six months’ full-time work. The publishers offer a return on projected sales, of around £1500. Everyone else involved will of course be paid at normal commercial rates. And they want it on disk, fully word-processed – formerly the work of typist and compositor. I am asked to write a chapter for another book. I am told: ‘Due to the costs of production, it will not be possible to pay the authors anything.’ My work is not a ‘cost of production’. A journalist telephones to ask for material that will form a major part of an article. Myself: ‘Are you going to pay me anything?’ Journalist: ‘I’m afraid not’. Myself: ‘Will you get paid?’ Journalist: ‘Oh, that’s quite different!’

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