Cirrus@Austlit

'This important matter is not a simple one so it is understandable that many members of the ASA are still unclear on what the Public Lending Right is all about, and what it could mean to book-writers in terms of money. 

'This article will try to set out simply the answers to these and other questions, including questions that members are likely to be asked about PLR.'  (Introduction)

In 1962, Walter Stone, President of the New South Wales branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers, suggested the need for a new writers' professional organization. Despite some opposition from other Fellowship branches, the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) was established in June 1963 to protect the rights of authors and illustrators. The following year the ASA established Broadside, a broadsheet to distribute literary news to members. In 1969 the broadsheet was superseded by the quarterly magazine Australian Author.

Described by one its editors as the 'business voice for the writer making money', Australian Author publishes articles on issues such as copyright, digital media, business tax, editing and publishing. Many prominent Australian writers have contributed to the magazine over the years. Early issues included contributions from Thomas Keneally, A. D. Hope, Harry Heseltine, Charmian Clift and Frank Hardy. Recent contributors have included Frank Moorhouse, Kate Grenville, Drusilla Modjeska and Lynne Spender.