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Authors demand NPI payment

13.12.07 Tom Tivnan

The Society of Authors has waded into the dispute over the beleaguered NPI Media, urging the Alan Sutton-owned business to pay outstanding royalties and advances.

Complaints are still coming into the Society from authors and agents, despite NPI insisting that the vast majority of author royalties are being paid.

Mark Le Fanu, the society's general secretary, said he was receiving more adverse reports about NPI imprints Sutton and Tempus than any other publishers in the country. He added: "What is making authors frustrated and angry is the lack of communication when royalties and advances don't arrive. I have asked them to come clean, but it is the deafening silence from NPI that is exacerbating an already bad situation."

NPI has stressed that it is working hard to resolve payment issues. But one Sutton author who has money outstanding from the summer said when he has tried to raise the issue with the publisher he has been "met with a wall of silence". He added: "I do think they are trying to resolve the situation."

Meg Davies, an agent for MBA who represents Sutton author and television presenter Paul Heiney, said her client is still due royalties from August and a September advance. She said: "I understand there are some difficulties when you merge companies, but this has gone beyond a joke. But there does seem to be a willingness to sort things out."

Last week NPI sold its Jarrold contract publishing arm, part of the portfolio of five companies it acquired in February. The publisher was not available for comment.

Alan Sutton tom tivnan NPI Society of Authors

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Comments on this article

By Beware Beware

Don't be suckered. Keep away.
Comment edited, 25th February 2008

14 Dec 07 06:59

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By Fingers burned

Sutton believes that to work and write for his company is reward enough. What are the authors bleating about? He has published their books for them - what more could they possibly want?
Comment edited, 25th February 2008

14 Dec 07 13:07

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By Andrew Lownie

I'm one of the agents supposedly paid but the sums were wrong and cheques bounced. I'm now taking legal action.

14 Dec 07 15:16

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By Graham Waters

I wonder how many authors have thought over the years, 'how is that payment so small?'.Now authors aren't getting paid at all.I agree with all the above coments though Tempus are just as much to blame as Alan Sutton.
Comment edited, 16th January 2007.

31 Dec 07 10:16

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By worried

Ok. I've published two books since 2005 with one further to appear shortly. Although my first is 'still selling' and in its second print run I have made a massive £700. I have no indication whatsoever of my second books sales. I have other contracts with Tempus at the moment. Should I walk away before I get reemed any further! And should I be instructing my solicitor to be discussing the royalties situation with them? What ever happened to advances?

31 Dec 07 11:23

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By Doubting Thomas

I have had three books published by Tempus and contracts for four more, two of which are ready to deliver. Yet I have had no royalties since Jan 2007 a full twelve months. Both Tempus and THP have promised me payment many times, but I feel I am being well and truely fobbed off. Their staff have obviously been instructed and well trained in blocking every attempt to get any royalty information. Could an author not get an injunction on THP selling his books, due to the obvious breach of contract?

26 Jan 08 19:10

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By J,V,A, Robinson

I received one copy of my book when Tempus published it last year. Now, sick to my stomach, I have to stand by and just watch as Amazon and other booksellers deal in my work and make profits from it. Surely the crime of embezzlement is being committed here and the Fraud Squad should be engaged.

09 Feb 08 15:51

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