Publishers and Authors
SIR,-1 have read with interest'Mr. van Thal's courteous and informative letter. It is quite true that a few publishers do actually produce a small number of books of literary or scientific value which are unlikely to make more than a very small profit, if any profit at all. But the general picture is not affected by these feeble endeavours to preserve respecta- bility. If publishers are really in such difficulties, why are they now producing more books, and more worthless books, than ever before ? Why are they consuming with such unregulated zeal thousands of tons of precious paper, cloth and cardboard ? Perhaps Mr. van Thal can tell us.
As for the terms offered to the bookseller, these too frequently include the wretched system of " sale or return." The bookseller. very naturally, does not make any particular effort to sell wares on which he has spent no money and which he is able, consequently, to return without loss— and often in a damaged condition. That the terms offered to booksellers are generous cannot be denied.
I have no desire to leach publishers how to run their business ; but publishers depend upon authors, and if authors are to receive less than they already receive, they will perforce turn their attention to the growing of cabbages or the rearing of ducks, or the manufacture of goods and utensils which can be sold at a fair profit.—Yours faithfully,
Lollesworth Cottage, West Horsley, Surrey. C. E. VULLIAMY.
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