I am the author of a book which is a collection of my poems. It was publshed by Minerva Press Pvt Ltd, New Delhi India in 1999. I paid Rs. 45000 INR for it's publication. As per the agreement I was to receive the royalty. So many years have passed and I have not received a single penny of the royalty. Few years back I learnt that the press in India clased down it's office.
Now I learnt from some one that my book is being sold at Amazon.com and I dont know about it although I am the author of that book.
What recourse or justice can I get and what should I do? I need advice!!!
2007-10-20 09:09:58 · 5 answers · asked by SKA 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
What does your contract with them say? Publishers can promise you either a % of the gross sales or of the profits, and they can hinge it on minimum sales, etc.
It's pretty easy to check for the book on Amazon yourself.
If it's being sold there, I advise you to talk to a lawyer familiar with international contracts and ask what hope you have to collect anything.
If the publisher went bankrupt, somebody might have bought the assets in bulk. The bookkeeping will show there was no profit, so no royalties due to you from the publisher.
2007-10-20 09:24:39 · answer #1 · answered by noname 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because your sales have yet to exceed your advance. I don't know about India but in America, you have the right to inspect the books regarding your sales once a year.
If you received an advance for half of the production run and you have yet to reach that goal, then you would not be entitled to royalties yet. Your only recourse is to contact the publisher and ask for sales figures. If you find out that you haven't sold enough books to cover the cost of the advance, you aren't entitled to any more royalties yet.
I am sure they can explain that to you.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.
Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.
Pax - C
2007-10-20 12:01:03 · answer #2 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you sign an agreement with the publishing company? If so, take your copy to a lawyer and see if there's anything they can do. If the publishing company closed, maybe you can obtain full rights to your book and start marketing it yourself, then you will get all the royalties.
Maybe you can contact someone at Amazon.com and find out how they obtained your book (when and from whom?).
A lawyer would be your best guide.
2007-10-20 09:19:11 · answer #3 · answered by Answer Annie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think I might have read that...I'm not sure though.
Anyway, I believe you should (with a lawyer) talk to the owner of the publishing company. If he refuses, take legal action.
You waited a bit too long, though. (1999?)
2007-10-20 09:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by supertaters 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Would you autograph my copy of your book if I send it to you with return postage guaranteed?
2007-10-20 09:49:11 · answer #5 · answered by Bill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋