Writers’ Charter
The Charter aims to protect the rights of authors and, in general, people who work in the book sector, regarding public appearances - presentations in schools, libraries, round tables, workshops, as well as mass media publications, etc.
The organizations and book professionals who sign the Charter, agree and sign either through the organizations that represent them or individually, that:
1. Writing is a profession.
2. The participation of the authors, illustrators, translators and other people of the book sector in any event should be paid. Excluded are award ceremonies, participation in publishers' promotional events based on an individual contract, honorary events for fellow artists, etc.
3. The fees as well as the coverage of expenses in any case, including events which take place away from the place of residence (travel, accommodation, food), are borne by the inviting organization (Ministry, Municipal Enterprises - Libraries - Parents' Associations - Cultural Associations, etc. ).
4. Fees are agreed individually depending on the financial capability of the inviting bodies.
5. The Writers’ Charter is optional and not binding for the members of the unions that sign it. Each member can at his discretion apply or not what is mentioned in the Charter.
6. Creators must issue legal documents for their fees.
7. Publishers bear the costs of the authors' participation as well as their per diem fee when they are invited to participate in exhibitions, panels, etc. away from the place of their residence.
8. No video recording/taping/photographing/posting and reproduction of any event is permitted without the written consent of the creator and require payment of copyright to the creators (You Tube views).
9. Photocopy reproduction of any work or part of it (text and illustration) is not permitted.
Requirements for the participation of creators in events taking place in schools, libraries, panels, educational seminars, workshops, lectures, etc.
9. The duration, the type (live/online) and the number of meetings, the age group and the number of participants, the provision of technical equipment, if deemed necessary, are to be determined.
9 a. What the author, illustrator, translator, etc. is expected to provide for the presentation (simple presence and discussion with the audience, screening of audio-visual material, educational workshop, etc.) must be determined.
9 b. There should be an agreement between the body, the publisher and the creator about buying or selling books on the site and about sending promotional material.
Preparation of the creator's visit on behalf of the calling body
10.1. Informing the audience (students/librarians/general public) about the author's work.
10.2. Supplying of the book to be discussed by the calling body.
10.3. Discussing the content of the book before the author’s visit.
The collective bodies who co-sign the Writers’ Charter on behalf of their members
Will share the Writers’ Charter with their members
Will post the Writers’ Charter on their website
Agree to undertake an extensive information campaign in the media and on Social Networks concerning the creative writing profession (prose writers, poets, essayists, translators, etc.), the copyrights, the other professions involved in the creation of books.
The Writers’ Charter is co-signed by the Hellenic Authors’ Society, Authors’ Society of Thessaloniki, the Hellenic Section of IBBY, the Circle of the Greek Childrens’ Book.
The Writers’ Charter is sent to the following bodies: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, National Library of Greece, OSDEL, Hellenic Cultural Foundation, Greek Book Association, Cyprus Association of Childrens’ and Young People's Books, Hellenic Union of Professional Graduate Translators of the Ionian University, Journalists' Union of Athens Daily Newspapers, etc.