First, from the investigations and observations of the last two years, I infer that authors are very much to blame in their business dealings. By their inexactness, their indifference, their unreasonable and indolent trust, and their excessive monetary stupidity, they not only become an easy prey of, but they offer a direct temptation to the cupidity of publishers. Not a single author to whom I appealed showed the slightest reluctance to answer my questions, nor, I may almost add, the slightest ability to answer them adequately. For instance, the points I wished to ascertain were whether a writer was paid by percentage or by a fixed sum: what was the percentage and what the fixed sum: and whether during or subsequent to the year 1764 any change was made in the mode or rate of payment.
See now how charmingly the authors met my points.
Says one, “Brummell and Hunt never published but —— with me and I received on this the usual beggarly percentage;” leaving me entirely in the dark as to what was the beggarly percentage.
Says another: “What terms do I make with B. & H.? Yes, with all my heart. In regard to ——, they print and sell and allow me a certain sum on all copies sold;” but with the greatest inclination in the world giving me no hint of the amount of that “certain sum.”
Says another: “Brummell & Hunt have, I believe, allowed me ten per cent. on the retail price of my books. That was the first arrangement at least, but I must confess I never look at their statements of account.”
Says a fourth: “I have always received a percentage.... I remember no change in 1764, unless that B. & H. about that time (perhaps earlier) without my asking it, raised the sum they paid me for ——, etc.... The interests of authors and publishers are identical—a fact which they understand better than we do.”
Yet the firm testified of this very writer that they had written agreements to pay him percentage, and that when prices advanced they waived the percentage, and paid him a certain (lower) sum per volume.
A fifth says: “I have not the least objection in the world in replying to your letter in the most straightforward way.... I have been contented with ten per cent. on the retail price of my printed books.”
Yet the written contracts of this writer showed every variety of arrangement from twenty per cent. downward.
A sixth says: “Messrs. B. & H. have published four books for me.... The three first named sell for $1.25, and I receive twelve cents each copy.”