Peter S. Beagle needs your help
One of my favorite fantasy authors, Peter S. Beagle, whom I once interviewed at length on my Biblio File podcast, is in a bad financial situation right now and needs your help. (Well, when I say “right now” I suppose I ought to say “still.” He’s not had a very good last few years.)
Beagle is coming out with a new project called “52/50”, in which he writes a new song lyric or poem every week for a year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of publishing his first novel. For $25, subscribers receive all poems written thus far, then each new one as it comes out. He is also selling a number of other works, optionally autographed and personalized, through the website of publisher Conlan Press. More details are in the latest issue of The Raven, Beagle’s newsletter.
Beagle has been a victim of unscrupulous accounting practices a number of times. He rewrote the script to the Bakshi Lord of the Rings for a pittance, after which Saul Zaentz reneged on promises to find Beagle more lucrative work. The current corporate owner of the animated movie The Last Unicorn has refused to pay him the royalties that are due him. His house was almost foreclosed upon after his mother passed away. This is the time of his life when he should be relaxing and enjoying himself, but he’s still having trouble making ends meet.
Please stop by the website, buy something, and help him out.
Other coverage: Tor.com
May 9th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
It’s sad that an author with Beagle’s fame and talent ends up in this situation. Being an author really isn’t an easy road to riches.
Rob Preece
BooksForABuck
July 25th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Peter S Beagle never did anything except “The Last Unicorn” commercially. He lived with his mother who suppported him rather than the other way. I think he was allowed his one sucess to get to his head and failed to realize to earn money he has to keep working.