Sir, As writers of children’s non-fiction, we wish to express our concern at the Government’s decision to reduce funding for Public Lending Right (PLR) in the years 2008-10, only returning to the current sum in 2010-11. PLR is the scheme whereby authors receive dues based on library loans.

Leading writers of fiction have already called the reduction in funding “mean-spirited”. Writers of non-fiction for children may feel even more strongly, as a majority of them receive only a one-off fee for their work from UK publishers — many receive no royalties or subsidiary fees at all. However, often their work is subsequently reissued in new editions, adapted or transferred to electronic media. Sadly, professional writers’ organisations have been unable to remedy this injustice, having little leverage against large publishing corporations. PLR provides only very modest income for such authors, but over the years it can become a worthwhile and necessary supplement to earnings.

The work of many educational and academic authors is borrowed more than it is sold, and deserves subsidy. More general or popular children’s non-fiction also serves a vital public service, in encouraging literacy. Books still generally offer a quality superior to that of material available on the internet.

The Government undervalues the creative talent of children’s non-fiction writers in the UK, who are world leaders in their field. The cuts to PLR bode ill for the future.

Simon Adams
Carol Ballard
Nicola Barber
Lionel Bender
Tristan Binns
Ali Brownlie Bojang
Anna Claybourne
Amy Corzine
Kath Davis
Michael Evans
Jen Green
Ann Kramer
Sally Hewitt
Susie Hodge
Lynn Huggins-Cooper
Penny Johnson
Amanda Li
Anita Loughrey
John Malam
Hazel Martell
Fiona Macdonald
Neil Morris
David Orme
Helen Orme
Steve Parker
Anne Rooney
Stewart Ross
Angela Royston
Philip Steele
Vicky Stone
Ruth Thomson
Jenny Vaughan
Phiilp Wilkinson
David R. Wright

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