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Whitby author's disgust at council
AN elderly Whitby author has been left disgusted and upset after her treatment during a book signing at Whitby's Tourist Information Centre.
Daphne Wright, author of adventure novels The Journey Over The Mountain and The Journey Through The Forest, said the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) failed to advertise the signing session, took 30 per cent of profits from books sold and she had a month-long wait before she was given the proceeds from any sales.
Mrs Wright also had to provide her own table and carry it along to the venue for the event on 17 July and she also had to set the table up at the opposite end of the centre to the counter.
Only on her second visit to arrange the book signing was Mrs Wright informed that 30 per cent would be taken off the sale of any books.
She said: "I agreed reluctantly, because I had been told that I had to provide my own table and publicity."
Mrs Wright then paid 30 to produce her own posters and put them up around Whitby, giving four to the Tourist Information Centre to display.
She said: "They were never put up, not even on the day. People were coming in on the day saying you would not even know I was there. They knew because they were my friends."
Mrs Wright did manage to sell 17 of her books, and when she packed up her table to leave at the end of the day, she went to collect her earnings from the counter and was dismayed to be told she could not have them and the money had to go to Scarborough Borough Council where they would take the 30 per cent off.
"They had done nothing literally except provide floor space," Mrs Wright said.
"I should have been informed that the money would not be available on the day. Then I would have budget accordingly.
"They were making interest on my money in their bank, which is causing me difficulties in my own bank account.
"It is not fair to do this to a pensioner. I think it is a matter of principle."
It was over a month later, on 19 August that Mrs Wright was given the money from her book sales.
Mrs Wright put her complaint in to writing to Scarborough Borough Council and in response Howard Foster, customer services manager, said he was sorry that she felt that she did not receive the expected level of service.
He said: "We are very keen to promote the products of local people and charge on a commission only basis for goods sold to help cover our costs. We make no other charge for use of the space."
"Our authors normally prefer to bring their own table and displays therefore this is not a facility we currently provide."
He explained that the Tourist Information Centre has limited display space, and that they did display a poster on the door, which he described as the same approach used for all authors.
Regarding the late payment, Mr Foster added the council pays invoices in the main far quicker than one month, particularly to individuals and small businesses but it had some difficulty obtaining all Mrs Wright's relevant details to enable it to pay the invoice but as soon as it had these, it made the payment within a week.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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