In a world first, authors are now able to receive royalties on sales of used books thanks to AuthorSHARE – a groundbreaking new scheme designed to create a fairer deal for authors in the used book market.
Until now, authors have only been able to receive royalty payments on sales of new books. However, in recent years there have been increasing calls from within the writing community for a new approach to address the exponential growth of the used book market. The market for used books is growing at 12% annually – compared to 1% for that of new books – and is estimated to be worth £563 million in the UK by 2025. For the first time, authors will be able to receive a fee when their books are resold online and enjoyed by a new owner.
The scheme was the brainchild of William Pryor, founder of Somerset based Bookbarn International, and has now been made a reality thanks to the involvement of World of Books Group – the UK’s largest retailer of used books – alongside The Society of Authors and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS). World of Books have created a royalty fund worth £200,000 for the schemes first year, which is expected to increase annually.
Graham Bell, Chief Executive of World of Books Group, says: “The growth of the used book market is fantastic in so many ways; it offers affordable literacy and protects the planet by enabling more goods to be reused. But until now, authors have missed out on the benefits of the movement towards a more circular-model of book consumption.
A new book will be sold once but their stories can be enjoyed by multiple owners. The AuthorSHARE scheme addresses this, giving authors the potential to be paid at every point in its lifecycle. We’re incredibly proud to be paying authors for their stories and creativity - not purely fresh ink and paper.”
Nicola Solomon, Chief Executive of the Society of Authors, says: “We are thrilled at the launch of AuthorSHARE. We know that books are often passed on or sold many times, yet authors have to date only benefited financially from the first sale. It is great to see that they will now receive a small share whenever their book is sold from the websites of Bookbarn, World of Books and other participating retailers. As well as the welcome financial boost, authors love to know that their books are still being read and enjoyed long after the first sale.”
ALCS has a membership of over 112,000 writers in 105 countries worldwide who could stand to benefit from the scheme, with payments being made directly to authors or their agents twice a year by the organisation.
Owen Atkinson, Chief Executive of ALCS, said: “We’re delighted to be part of a scheme that will help support ALCS members in the used book market. Writers deserve to be remunerated fairly for every use of their work – whether it’s library-lending, photocopying or used reselling – and AuthorSHARE provides a great opportunity for them to receive income from this previously inaccessible revenue stream.”
At present, royalties on used books can only be paid on purchases made directly from the World of Books and Bookbarn International websites, but both retailers hope others within the industry will join the scheme to enable more authors to benefit.
William Pryor, Bookbarn International Group’s Chairman, said: “As a writer as well as founder of Bookbarn, I was puzzled that authors, the very people who create the raw material of our business, were not benefitting. In 2015 this gave me the idea that has, thanks to World of Books bringing their scale of operations to the scheme, now become AuthorSHARE. 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”
More information about the scheme, including how authors can get involved, is available on the Society of Authors website. Society of Authors website
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Media Contacts
Nick Ford, Communications Manager, World of Books Group and on behalf of Bookbarn International Group
[email protected] | D: +44(0) 7967 789993
Martin Reed, Head of Communications, Society of Authors
[email protected] | D: +44(0) 20 7031 8565
Notes to Editors
About Bookbarn International Group
Bookbarn International
Bookbarn, based in Somerset, started selling second-hand books through internet channels in 2000. Bookbarn sells used, antiquarian and new books through:
About World of Books Group
About the Society of Authors
The Society of Authors
The Society of Authors is the UK's largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. With a current membership of 11,500, they have advised, supported and spoken out for authors at every career stage since 1884. They work to empower professional authors from all backgrounds with support, knowledge and community, and to work with industry and government towards an industry landscape that sustains and nurtures creative careers.
About the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS)
ALCS
ALCS is a not-for-profit organisation started by writers for the benefit of all types of writers. Owned by its members, ALCS collects money due for secondary uses of writers’ work. It is designed to support authors and their creativity, ensure they receive fair payment and see their rights are respected. It promotes and teaches the principles of copyright and campaigns for a fair deal. It represents over 112,000 members, and since 1977 has paid over £570 million to writers. Find out more at alcs.co.uk.