HarperCollins secures assets from The Friday Project

It has been reported in The Bookseller that HarperCollins has finally acquired certain assets from The Friday Project, two months after it went into administration.

For the latest information from The Bookseller click here

JK Rowling's Litigation in America

There has been a good deal of press coverage of the litigation in New York, in which JK Rowling is attempting to prevent publication of a book, the Harry Potter Lexicon. A few commentators have expressed surprise that she should wish to stop the publication of a book developed from an internet fan site, suggesting that she has been unwise to react so firmly.

The 'Save Kids' TV' viral film hits the BBC

Wombles with American accents feature in the latest part of the campaign to Save British Kids' TV.

As part of its campaign to save British-made children's programmes, PACT (the UK trade association representing independent film, TV, children's, animation and interactive media companies) has released a viral film starring much-loved characters The Wombles.

The hilarious sketch, featuring the Bad Ass Wombles is set in Central Park, New York and aims to highlight the effects of US imports on children’s programming in the UK.

Latest news from the History Press

The latest news we have from the History Press is that Mr Morris will be writing to authors soon giving a timetable by which arrears of royalties owed by NPI will be paid.  It is said that royalties up to 31st May 2007 will be paid by 30th June 2008.  Those up to 30th September 2007 will be paid by 31st October 2008 and royalties for the period ending 30th November 2007 by the end of 2008. Mr Morris has also stated that all royalties earned by authors since the History Press was founded on 18th December 2007 will be paid 'in full and on time'.

Click on the 'Find out more' link to read the full story.

PFD update

The press had a field day reporting on the many defections of agents from PFD, which had been one of Britain's biggest and most successful literary agencies. The steady stream of news has made entertaining copy for readers, but the civil war which has been tearing the agency apart has been - and remains - profoundly unsettling for its clients.

Free tax helpline for members

The Society is always pleased to give members routine advice on tax queries - particularly over the tax treatment of professional writers. We are pleased to announce that in addition HW Fisher, a firm of accountants specialising in the tax affairs of writers, is now providing a Tax Helpline, free of charge to Society members.

For further information please log-in to the members' only section and visit the Membership benefits page of this site.

New award for educational writing - £2,000

The Society of Authors is instigating a new award for educational writing, to be sponsored by the ALCS.  

Discovered Authors

We have been informed that some authors have experienced difficulties with Discovered Authors, which recently moved and can now be contacted on 0844 800 5215 (Author Management) or 0844 800 5216 (Graham Miller). If you require further advice, please contact the Society.

Save PLR funding - sign the petition

In the autumn, the Society's Chair, Tracy Chevalier, wrote to the Secretary of the State, James Purnell, urging him to ensure that Public Lending Right was given priority in the Spending Review.  She received a reply after Christmas from the Minister, Margaret Hodge, saying: 'I am pleased to tell you that we have secured what I believe is a positive outcome for PLR in a tough spending round'.  Those optimistic sentiments were not matched by the facts.

The Children's Writers and Illustrators Group Conference

Robinson College, Cambridge

Friday 29th August - Sunday 31st August 2008

Places at the conference are filling up fast, book now to avoid missing the CWIG event of the year!

The London Magazine continues to thrive...

...but they need your support to keep it going.

As you may be aware, the Arts Council has refused The London Magazine's grant application. As a consequence of this Sebastian Barker felt that he had been forced to resign from his editorial position at The London Magazine.

Copyright registration services

A number of new websites have been drawn to our attention recently, offering to 'register authors' copyrights' in return for a modest (or in some cases not so modest) fee.