Writing Magazine April 2020

http://www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2020^31

It can also take the form of licensing work for new platforms as

publishing technology evolves. For instance, ebook publication can

be the most viable option for some of our titles. A good example of

this is the work of Catherine Gaskin, who wrote popular romantic

novels from the 1940s to 1980s. Her books sold over 40 million

copies worldwide during her lifetime, but when she died in 2009,

leaving her literary estate to the Society of Authors, all her titles

were out of print.

Corazon Books wanted to revive Gaskin’s work and went

on to use an engaging mix of new publishing techniques and

promotional ideas. This included dedicated websites and social

media promotion, targeted live talks to organisations including the

Romantic Novelists’ Association, running writing competitions,

engaging directly with readers, and developing a Catherine Gaskin

newsletter for her fanbase. Corazon Books’ dynamic approach was

so successful that we went on to license Gaskin’s entire backlist to

this ebook publisher.

Rise, fall, and rise again

Some titles seem to transcend fashions and remain popular

throughout the term of copyright. The novels of EM Forster and

Virginia Woolf have never been out of print in the UK, and in the

case of Pygmalion, Shaw’s most popular play (along with its award-

winning musical derivative My Fair Lady), rarely off the stage.

But fashions do change, and it is satisfying and sometimes

surprising to see a long out-of-print book by a long-deceased author

suddenly take flight and reach a new audience. Income can rise, fall,

and rise again throughout the copyright period; it just needs the

right person with the right

vision to make it work.

Typically, income will

diminish over time, but

since your estate can be

lucrative for many years, as

a writer it is important to

consider the management of

your copyrights and papers

after your death and make

clear provision in your will.

We have a guidance paper,

Your Copyrights and Papers

After Death, which deals with

• among other things – who inherits what, executors and ‘literary
  executors’, the future administration of your copyrights, and
  inheritance tax. It’s free to Society of Authors members from our
  website. Literary estates are also entitled become members of the
  Society of Authors and to obtain the same advice and assistance as
  authors are entitled to during their lifetime.
  #DeadGoodLit
  We would love you to share in our passion for the authors
  whose estates we represent by joining our new Twitter book club
  #DeadGoodLit. On the last Monday of every other month we
  discuss well-known classics and long-forgotten literary gems from
  our @Soc_of_Authors Twitter account. To find out more or sign
  up to our #DeadGoodLit newsletter visit http://www.societyofauthors.
  org/estates.

consider the management of

clear provision in your will.

We have a guidance paper,

, which deals with

credit RDA/Rue des Archives/Writer Pictures

T 020 7324 2563

E [email protected]

W http://www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk

§ Detailed critical assessments and services by

professional editors for writing at all stages of

development, in all genres

§ Links with publishers and agents, and advice on

self-publishing

§ Six one-to-one sessions with a professional editor,

online or in person

§ Includes separate manuscript assessment and

industry day with publishers and agents

§ Masterclasses and skills workshops

§ TLC Writers’ Day June 20th with TLC Pen Factor

Writing Competition

ADVERTISE

HERE

[email protected]

For more information

contact:

Louise Clarke on

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