ALCS

An Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society focus meeting was held in Cambridge last week. Barbara Hayes (in the photo) and her team wanted authors’ views on the organisation that collects and distributes our monies from photocopying and overseas PLR. It was an hour’s meeting followed by a light lunch at Cambridge Central Library. A dozen authors were present.

I must say, my view of ALCS was changed for ever by the end of the meeting. What had been a puzzling acronym sending out puzzling royalty statements suddenly became an organisation all authors should know about. ALCS is helpful and friendly and is looking after our interests. They even offer authors the use of a room at The Writers’ House (between Aldgate and Tower Hill) where tea and coffee are served, where a laptop is available and where there’s a sofa. It sounds as good as having a London club. I’m definitely going to try it out.