r ae CREATION by the Hutchinson publishing illuup of an imprint
called New Authors Limited seems to be a most interesting experiment which 811. ould benefit publisher, young writers and, incidentally, British cultural life. Broadly speak- ing, the idea is intended to get more of a sale and illure financial profit for the good first book by 4,11. unknown author than has been the case hitherto. Recently it has become more and more difficult for publishers to risk the loss that might be entailed in publishing a first book by someone with nothing to offer in the way of a name—this has especially been the case with novels. New Authors Limited propose to deal with this situa- tion by publishing first books (and only first books) on a non-profit-making basis. The author will receive advance and royalties in the normal way, but, if there is any profit left over after all costs have been subtracted—including overheads —it will be proportionately divided among the authors in proportion to their sale in the year con- cerned. The authors will not be under any obliga- tion to give the Hutchinson Group an option on their next book, though naturally it is hoped that Hutchinsons may discover talent through the scheme. No doubt, there will be a large demand among young authors for this bread cast on the waters, and I hope that, quite apart from the financial arrangements, the fact of appearing under a carefully selected imprint will mean that deserving works will not be overlooked, as they have tended to be in the past.
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