News for authors

New Research Confirms UK Writers Still Struggle To Survive

Counting the Cost of a Writing Career in the 21st Century: 25,000 Authors Surveyed

The ALCS commissioned the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM), Bournemouth University to conduct research into authors' earnings in the UK compared with those of German authors. The results are based on a survey of 25,000 authors in the two countries and reveals that authors still struggle to survive.

The ALCS survey is the latest research since that carried out on behalf of the Society of Authors in 2000. The research reveals that the typical UK author earns 33% less than the national average wage. If this trend in earnings continues will creators be able to continue contributing 8% of GDP in the UK? If we value our creative industries so highly, can the nation afford to let this decline in authors' earnings continue?

"Fees due to writers for the re-use of their work related to their copyright are indisputably a vital source of income," says Owen Atkinson, CEO of ALCS. "The real question for all of us is how to safeguard our creative heritage and ensure that our writers can not only survive, but thrive."

Among the key findings of the research:

Writing - A Risky Profession: Only the Top 10% Reap Real Rewards

UK writers operate in a 'winner takes all' market - the earnings of a typical writer are deteriorating in real terms.

The top 10% of authors earn more than 50% of total income. In other equally skilled professions the bottom 50% of workers earn nearly 40% of total income.

A typical professional authors' income is 33% less than the national average wage.

Don't Give up the Day Job: Writers Juggle Jobs to Survive

Only 20% of writers earn all their income from writing.

60% of professional writers need another job to survive.

A Tough Start

The first ten years are the toughest of a writers' life. The typical earnings of a British writer aged between 25 and 34 are only £5,000 - a third less than their counterparts in Germany. This age bracket takes in those repaying student loans, starting out on their careers, getting on the property ladder and starting a family. Where is the incentive to keep writing at this level of return?

Mind the Gender Gap

Amongst professional writers, the research indicates a near 60/40 earnings bias in favour of men. Why is writing still affected by gender?

On the Web - Out of Pocket

The world is now on-line; broadband connects half of UK households and yet less than 15% of authors surveyed have received any payment for on-line use of their work.

The Moral Divide

The statutory regime designed to promote and protect an author's name and reputation - moral rights - serves German authors far better than their UK counterparts. The German rights are inalienable; the UK rights are subject to numerous exceptions and limitations and may be waived.

source:

http://www.societyofauthors.net/soa/page_id.php4?pid=75&sid=5&urlsection=Info...

not sure where I fit in there, but hey, it's not so bad, I've survived so far. :)