‘Do You Love Your Publisher?’ survey results released

The ‘Do You Love Your Publisher?’ survey, which asked writers about their experiences with publishers, has highlighted a need for increased communication, reports the Bookseller. The survey found that 75% of writers said publishers have never asked them for feedback and only 7% said that publishers paid writers well. The prestige of having a deal with a traditional publisher was important to 32% of writers. About 28% of writers said communication from their publisher was inconsistent, confusing or poor. On the question rating editorial input from publishers, 43% of writers rated it as excellent and 27% said it was good. Society of Authors UK chief executive Nicola Solomon said, ‘Although on first glance there appears to be broad satisfaction with publishers, deeper drilling reveals some interesting pointers.’ Solomon said publishers were ‘falling down’ on author care and said the ‘time has come to give authors a greater share of publishing profits, particularly on digital exploitation’. The survey was co-produced by authors Harry Bingham in the UK and Jane Friedman in the US, and questioned 812 writers, with 62% in the US and 38% in the UK and Ireland.

Category: International news