In her book about poets, remarkably few lines of poetry are quoted. Ada Calhoun explains by doing some accounting for us:
[F]or permission to share … six lines [by W. H. Auden] I had to sign two contracts and pay $285.37. … [Breaking it down further she says] to use these six lines in the audiobook and in print for countries excluding the US, Canada, and the Philippines, I paid Curtis Brown, Ltd., $195.37. For print rights in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines I paid Penguin Random House $90.”
That’s pretty good scratch for six lines, no? Too bad Auden isn’t alive to enjoy it. Auden didn’t leave behind kids or a spouse, so I wonder what heir(s) get a cut?
source:
Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, my father, and me
Ada Calhoun
2022. Grove Press, New York NY
2 comments:
A recent film biography of David Bowie featured no Bowie songs. Too expensive.
And/or no permission given. We applaud the artists who refuse permission to the Trumps of the world for using their songs -- although how effectively, I don't know -- but the walled-off portions of culture can make for ridiculous mazes.
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