Minutes of First Tuesday, held on 3 November 2009 at Carr’s Irish Pub

Minutes taken by Pamela Lake

Present:
Gregor Dallas
Pamela Lake
Graham Tullis
John Kirby Abraham
Stanley Lover
Anne Morddel
Paul Francis
Bill Clarance
Annabel Simms

1. Penguin /W.H. Smith 'monopoly'

Gregor reported on the latest developments in the campaign against this monopoly. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) will discuss the action to be taken at their Annual Delegates’ Meeting (ADM) next week. W.H. Smith’s are, in fact, among the most author friendly bookshops in Paris and Hannah Robin, the store’s Marketing and Events Manager, confirms that the store makes their own selection of travel books. She has offered to arrange a meeting for representatives of SOAF and the NUJ with the Direction.

2. Chat Room/Self Publishing

A number of knowledgeable members have shown interest in a collective approach. Gregor has written to Mark Le Fanu, Secretary General of the Society of Authors in London, about this but has received no reply so we will have to take the initiative.

Anne said there were two issues - a chat room and self publishing.

It was agreed that Graham would register the domain name SOAFrance and also make a recommendation as to whether we set up a web site or a restricted forum.

Stanley suggested that Gregor send out a questionnaire to members asking if they are interested in self-publishing and whether they have already self-published.

John said there were many writers’ groups in Paris who would have useful information available on the subject.

Anne showed the meeting a copy of a helpful book called Le Guide pratique de l’auto-édition, published by Les Editions Universelles at 15€.