Writers’ Roundup

This afternoon I attended a Round Table Discussion jointly org-ed by The Writers’ Union of Canada and The Association of Canadian Publishers. The two local publishers participating were Jack David of ECW Press and Alana Wilcox of Coach House Books. Both these publishers are writers’ friends and deeply on-side. The panel was moderated by TWUC writer Genni Gunn and TWUC chair Wayne Grady.

Perhaps 50 or so writers attended. We watched on the  blackboard how the publisher’s revenue of a hypothetical book selling for $10, displayed at Chapters, is dropped into the Big Box woodchipper. First the Chapters/Indigo discount of 45% is applied. Then a further charge of $1 per book is levied for strategic in-store placement, reducing the revenue to $4.50. The publisher must now grind off his/her costs.  Brinnggg. The book is half the size it was. Continue reading

I attended the latest seminar (5th) on this settlement held by Access Copyright on February 19th, 09. Roannie Levy from Access did an admirably clear job of walking approximately 300 creators through the complexities of this agreement but was careful not to speak for or against it. She would say only that in the U.S. both writers and publishers have said YES to this settlement.

I recommend you visit the Google Settlement home page (see Useful Links page) and read its explanation. Access has also posted its seminar online with commentary and is running still more seminars in March. Unless you love poring over these sorts of documents, it’s easier to bite a few hours and take their seminar than try to digest the implications of this settlement on your own. Continue reading