Tag Archives: Ireland

LIBRARIES PAY AUTHORS?

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This seems too good to be true. But it is, at least, it is for the United Kingdom and Ireland! Authors receive money under the PUBLIC LENDING RIGHT (PLR)  (the right for authors to receive payment for the loans of their books by public libraries). Until I read Joanne Phillips’ post on her first check from the PLR, I had no idea this existed.

According to PLR, here is how it works:

Under the PLR system in the UK, payment is made from government funds to authors, illustrators and other contributors whose books are borrowed from public libraries.  Payments are made annually on the basis of loans data collected from a sample of public libraries in the UK … To qualify for payment, applicants must apply to register their books.

Over 22,000 writers, illustrators, photographers, translators and editors who have contributed to books lent out by public libraries in the UK receive PLR payments each year.

And this is how they say data is collected:

For UK PLR, a representative sample of book loans, consisting of all issues from selected public libraries in the UK, is recorded. This is then multiplied in proportion to total library lending to produce for each book an estimate of its total annual loans throughout the country.

This seems pretty amazing, even if the payment is minimal. And I see a bigger picture with this program. It proves your book(s) are being lent to those less fortunate to buy the book themselves. So, how cool is that?

P.D. Pabst
Writer and blogger of MG/YA fiction

The Next J.K. Rowling Contest

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The Independent has begun a nationwide search (in UK and Ireland only) for the next J.K. Rowling. Meaning, they want a brilliant-ass children’s writer. The winner can not have current literary representation and must never have been published (traditionally). This prized person still qualifies even if self published. If chosen, the announced winner will receive a publishing deal with a £5,000 advance, literary agent representation with LBA and a trip to Venice to visit the home of luxury pen-maker Montegrappa.

All the details are here.

Pass this on to all your friends living in the UK and Ireland. Good luck and happy writing!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and Writer of MG/YA Fiction

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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Although St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday in Ireland, people across many nations now celebrate March 17, the day believed to be Patrick’s death. Here are some noted facts:

  • St. Patrick was not Irish.
  • Born a nobleman in Britain about 400 A.D.
  • An atheist in his early years
  • Kidnapped by Irish pirates at age 16
  • A slave in Ireland for 17 years
  • Rediscovered his faith while in Ireland
  • Returned to Ireland as a missionary
  • Legend states St. Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain Christian Holy Trinity. (But it’s said no evidence proves he ever did.)
  • Still unclear if St. Patrick died in Ireland

And for those who are Irish, know someone who is Irish, or just want to help celebrate for their own pleasure, put on your green clothes, green hats, green glasses, green everything, and have some green beer, or green cake, or green potatoes, or anything drinkable/edible green…but pah-lease don’t call me later when you are feeling oh-so green!

Be safe and have fun! And again, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction