Updates

Here’s what I wrote to my MP (Stephen Harper), as well as the ministers of industry and culture:

From my understanding of Bill C-32, the government is attempting to be fair to creators and consumers, and to address the complexities of our rapidly evolving digital world. However, I am concerned about the provision for allowing educational institutions to use my work without compensation, or as I understand it, to legalize theft.

I am a professional fiction writer, with one novel and several pieces of short fiction in print, and I am a member of several professional organizations. My yearly income from writing is under $2000 per year. My next novel is under consideration with a major publishing company, and should it be accepted, would likely generate an income of $7000, spread over two years. Clearly, in itself, my writing income is not livable (I am fortunate to be married to an income-earner).

My question for you is this: Approximately one-third of my annual income, or about $600, derives from my association with Access Copyright, an organization which negotiates contracts with school boards, libraries and other organizations to license the photocopying of

And I already have two reader comments (good ones!). This was amazing — it was about a month from submission to publication (including edits and payment). AE Science Fiction Review is very professional, and their site is classy!

I tried to upload it onto my website (under “Read ‘Orange'”) but for some reason it’s not showing up. I’ll have to check into how to fix that. Sigh.

Okay, I have to admit – it was last January . . . but it is a cool post, and if you want to read it, go to the official website of Jan Markley. Her YA novel, Dead Frog on the Porch was launched about a year ago, and TODAY is her launch of Dead Bird Through the Cat Door. It will be great – readings, friends, fans and CAKE! Her next book, Three Dead Moths in My Mailbox, is upcoming.