Subsequently, because the publisher has treated the editor as a kind of sub-contractor on the project, any royalties earned are forwarded to the editor who is then obliged to send a pro-rata share to each author, depending on the percentage of the book contributed by each author. For instance, if it is established by contract that an author will receive 10% of the royalties earned because his story encompassed 10% of the anthology, then if the editor is given $2,000 to disburse among the contributors, that author would receive $200 in royalty payments.
Some years back I sold a story to the anthology CHILDREN OF CTHULHU published by Del Rey Books and edited by John Pelan and Ben Adams. For whatever reason, of the two editors, Pelan was given control of the purse strings on the book. I was initially paid for my story, but have to this date never received a penny earned in royalties. This despite the fact that the book is still in print after a full decade and seems to be a perennially good seller for Del Rey Books. I've inquired to find out why I've never received any royalties, but no good answer has been forthcoming.
Of the two editors of the book, the only one I speak to is my pal Ben Adams who has always stayed in touch with me. He, too, has never seen a penny out of the anthology's royalties, despite being the co-editor. I've been told that all such funds are forwarded elsewhere. Del Rey has never bothered to clear this up with me, so I have no idea where. Neither does Ben. I've never been able to get in touch with John Pelan about it.
I have only co-edited a single anthology in my days as a writer/editor. That was EVERMORE for Arkham House Books. Before her death, I was told by April Derleth (the publisher) that she thought she owed us some royalties, but she never made that clear. Since her death I've not heard from the folk who are in charge there now. I was happy when Arkham House actually cut each check for the authors in that volume, so I assume they'll do the same when (and if) the book earns out royalties.
Other anthologies of which I have been a part have paid out royalties regularly and with perfect accounting. Especially when I sold to anthologies handled by the late Marty Greenberg.
Will I ever be made aware of, or receive royalties from CHILDREN OF CTHULHU? Who knows?
8 comments:
Well, this spurs me to jump back into the fray and try to track him down again.
My biggest problem is that I literally lost track with EVERYONE in the horror community for several years after the Stoker Awards ceremony where this book did NOT win best antho, but was beaten to the punch by another antho edited by John Pelan.
And I no longer have my contract. I couldn't even begin to tell you how the royalties were supposed to be split. I think I made a flat $1,000 off this, that was it. It may even have been lower.
Good luck, Ben.
I've tried to talk to Del Rey about it, but nothing from them, at all. Even my agent could get nothing out of them.
I suppose that it's possible a book could stay in print after ten years and earn no royalties. But I doubt it.
Hell...as co-editor, you're probably due more than any of the authors in the book!
You guys could probably hire a lawyer, but the legal fees would likely exceed the royalties.
It wouldn't be worth the legal effort. Perhaps a campaign to shame the guilty. Other than that...it's a lost cause.
I'd be up for a campaign to shame the guilty, Bob.
Shame a publishing outfit? How do you do that?
I've tried to get an email address for Pelan to find out if any royalties are owed, but haven't been able to locate one. And I've written a number of letters to Del Rey, but no response. I put my agent on it, but I don't think he ever heard anything either.
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