The ASA recently conducted a review of its recommended rates of pay for public appearances, consulting with authors, writers’ festivals, writers’ centres, other literary organisations, and libraries. This consultation was supplemented by information from the ASA’s Rates Tracker, a feedback form on our website enabling authors to anonymously let us know what they are paid for appearances and writing and illustrating work. The Rates Tracker is a tool designed to promote ongoing transparency in an industry where rates can be highly variable. 

The feedback from the consultation demonstrates that ASA public appearance rates are more often than not observed, but that payment for chairpersons is particularly challenging. In acknowledgement of the difference in preparation time required when chairing a one-on-one conversation event compared to a panel session with multiple panelists, we have separated out those recommended rates and have not applied an increase to the in-conversation rate for 2026.  The ASA emphasises that high-quality public appearances are enabled by thorough preparation and this time must be factored into the rate of pay. 

Feedback also indicated that literary organisations are keen to pay ASA rates, but some feel their own funding has stagnated in recent years, leading to a choice between lowering appearance payments to authors, or hosting fewer sessions. While we understand the pressure created by flat funding (or no funding), it is crucial we collectively resist underpayment of  authors as a consequence. Not only is this unsustainable, it is exploitative of those in our industry with the fewest legal protections. Particularly early in their careers, individual creators are vulnerable as they are sole traders, without the protection of awards or employment laws. Of course, we acknowledge the generosity and goodwill of creators who may choose to volunteer their time, reduce their rates to support an organisation, or derive other benefits from the appearance. However, it is our view that this should be a choice made by the author, and not a standard set by the industry.

Lastly, the feedback revealed rates of pay are highly variable in the market. Understandably, rates achieved by established writers with greater bargaining power are significantly higher than those attained by emerging writers. Rather than introduce a range of payments, we have sought to offer reasonable minimum recommendations, leaving it to established authors to negotiate for what they can reasonably achieve in the market.  

We understand that organisations prepare their budgets a year in advance, and accordingly need a long lead time to implement rate increases.  Accordingly, for planning purposes, we have introduced a new format for rates of pay on our website whereby we include both the current year’s rates and forecast the rates for the following year.

Our warm thanks to the authors and industry professionals who contributed to the consultation, it is greatly appreciated.