Two used book retailers (Bookbarn International and World of Books) have created a royalty fund called AuthorSHARE and are putting the idea to practice. Although the concept of earning royalties on used books is novelty, it apparently has the support from private investors as well as industry organisations The Society of Authors (SoA) and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS), but will it gain the participation from second-hand book sellers that such a scheme desperately needs in order to thrive?
“This is all about giving authors recognition for the value they create and we hope other retailers within this space will eventually join us in this innovative voluntary initiative,” said William Pryor, founder of Bookbarn International.
Read Allison Flood’s full article over at theguardian.com
Personally speaking, if second-hand books were valued as highly as when they were brand new, then second-hand book stores would be in direct competition with bigger retailers and would likely be bought out. It is a wishful fund that potentially could change the climate of where second-hand books are sold and where they are cherished, such as public libraries. £200,000 has been invested into the fund in an effort to have a working model of the scheme, but ultimately, if second-hand book sellers don’t get an influx of promotion and a sustainable boost in sales, who in their right would continue to invest money in an already relaxed/financially challenging trading environment, where books are often donated to, and not purchased at retail prices? ‘Advance against royalties’ is where this conversation needs to be directed, not at book sellers. Also, there is such a thing as reprints, no? AuthorSHARE sounds wonderful on paper, but is ultimately guided by middlemen and not philanthropy. Considering that no author has given their perspective say on the matter (or were omitted from the conversation) leaves me very skeptical indeed. Who truly benefits the most and who pays for that expense? I LOVE finding an interesting or hard to find second-hand book, and authors should get paid for their work, just not through resale pre-owned book scraps. Just my take.
lit-b.com 