Here's how to find an ISSN to enter a claim under ALCS (if you don't know what ALCS is see these posts or visit the website).
1. Log in to the ALCS site.
2. Click on 'add new work', select 'magazines and journals', click on 'search for publications' as shown in this example.
3. Type in the name of the publication and click search. The ISSNs associated with that publication will then be displayed.
If you don't claim ALCS (it's not a legal requirement or anything you're obliged to do if you'd rather not) then I don't think you'll ever need the ISSNs - if you do use them for any other purpose please let me know as I'm interested in this stuff.
I didn't want to ignore you! Nevertheless, not me for me just yet ;) I have just had a quick look and it's a lifetime membership fee. That seems a good deal for all their hard work. Worth considering further down the line. Thank you, Patsy.
ReplyDeleteRegistering with ALCS is one of the best things I've done. I still don't understand how they work it out and I've heard it described as money that magically appears, which is very true. Worth pointing out the membership fee is taken directly off your earnings from them, so there is no upfront fee.
ReplyDeleteI don't know of any other use of the ISSN Patsy, but I do know registering with ALCS and for those works with ISBN to register with the British Library for Public Lending Rights gives a welcome boost to writers earnings.
Definitely worth registering with ALCS for all writers. And if you have trouble with the ISSN's they are super helpful at sorting you out.
ReplyDeleteAlyson
@ Marguerite – I definitely think it's worth it for anyone who's sold stories to UK magazines and is able to join. They take the membership from the fees due to you. I'm not sure what happens if there's no money due.
ReplyDelete@ Elizabeth – I don't understand how they work it out, either! Pretty sure that magazines stocked by libraries or used in education earn more than those which aren't.
Yes PLR is another good thing to sign up for if we have qualifying work.
@ Alyson – Yes, they always reply to queries.
I would never have heard of ALCS but for your blog Patsy & I would have thought they would have excluded non-UK residents so a big thank you for generously providing that information, (a huge slice of cream cake next time your in Ireland for sure!).
ReplyDeleteEven with just a few book & magazine sales and the deduction of the fees it was a lovely bonus to get - my first. Its a brilliant scheme and well worth ones while to register the moment you have your first sale (in UK) especially as there is no upfront fee, you really have nothing to loose. I only wish there was a similar scheme in Ireland for sales to Irish magazines & books.
I learnt about ALCS through this blog, so thank you very much indeed. I've contacted them with queries a couple of times and they've been very friendly and helpful.
ReplyDeleteI started submitting to magazines in 2018, and since then have averaged only about 1 or 2 published stories per year, so I've always assumed it's not worth registering for ACLS for what is probably very little return, and might even be less than the joining fee. I also assume that if I were to join/register now, I would not be paid retrospectively for things which were published years ago. Can anybody advise me on this please, or is it best to contact ACLS direct with this question? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking that question, Maisie - me too! Perhaps we need to bring it up when more people are around...?
ReplyDelete@ Sheelagh *books ferry*
ReplyDelete@ Marian – Yes, they're helpful.
@ Maisie and Marguerite – You can claim for stories published up to three years ago. The payment isn't a flat rate, so I can't say for sure what you'd earn but if you'd have a total of 4 or 5 qualifying stories you're likely to still get a payment after they've taken the one off fee.
Hi Maisie, there is a FAQ option on their website, which might be helpful to you
ReplyDeletehttps://www.alcs.co.uk/faq/
As far as I can ascertain for magazine stories there is a three year time limit to claim not counting current year, but it would do no harm to give them a call to check.
The lifetime joining fee is £36 and I am pretty sure you would have covered that in payments due to you if you have an average of two stories published per year, provided you haven't given up rights to the magazine's involved. Again they can advise you on that particular point.
Hope this is helpful.
Crossed over with your answer Patsy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, both :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the helpful replies. I have actually given up rights to some of my stories, so I guess it might not be worth it for me at the moment. Still, I'll contact ACLS and ask.
ReplyDeleteI joined years ago because I had written scripts for preschool animation and it's been very well worth it over the years - they track repeat fees owed e.g. if the programmes are repeated in other countries.
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ReplyDelete@ Elizabeth – Great minds and all that!
ReplyDelete@ Maisie – It seems it's still possible to claim under certain circumstances, but as I've never given up my rights it's not something I've attempted.
@ Ruth/Becca – It's good to know you benefit from the reuse of your work.
Totally agree, registering for ALCS was one of the best things I've ever done, and I think I first read about it on your blog too, so thank you for that, Patsy :)
ReplyDelete@ Carrie – I'm pleased to have been of help.
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