Points: 0
An author shares the emotional impact of late royalty payments.
I've taken my publisher to Small Claims Court. It seems drastic, but increasingly, the only means left to pursue the royalties that were due to me. When I signed my contract eight years ago, excited that my debut novel was finally going to become a book, I had no idea that this could happen: that legal documents can be ignored, that publishers who wax enthusiastic about your writing can also offer such blatant disregard to paying royalties on time.
And yet, eight years on, I feel naïve for even thinking that publishers can be trusted.
This doesn't, of course, apply to all publishers. But your first published book, the one you have poured your heart and soul into, is a momentous one for any writer, and your experience of it leaves a lasting impact on your future outlook as an author.
In my case, the second half of my (low, four-figure) advance for my debut was paid six months late, after significant chasing. None of my royalties have ever been paid on time. And I have in my inbox a single email chain running for 18 months, wherein the managing director of my publishing house promises to pay my royalties "next week" and then conveniently forgets, until he's reminded again.
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'Far better to write twaddle or anything, anything, than nothing at all.'