Home / News / The NBC establishes the first National Writers’ Congress back to news The NBC establishes the first National Writers’ Congress Initiatives • News 14th September, 2019 On the 14th of September the National Book Council (NBC) organised the first National Writers’ Congress to take place in Malta. The historic moment brought together Maltese writers to collectively recognise their common economic rights. Over 65 authors participated in the Congress. The primary aim of the Congress was the presentation of two motions by the NBC on which writers have been invited to vote: Writers’ Bill of Economic Rights The consolidation of the National Book Council through an Act of Parliament The first motion has been drafted following extensive consultation meetings which the NBC held with writers during the past months. The Draft Writers’ Bill of Economic Rights stresses the right for authors to receive due payment for their work, and serves as guide to Government in its transposition of EU Directive 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market. Writers remarked on the exclusion of poetry from minimum royalty payments. The Congress agreed to an amendment removing the exception concerning poetry books. The motion was approved unanimously by a total of 141 writers. 75 authors who were unable to attend submitted their approval in writing. The second motion states that Subsidiary Legislation 327.580 establishing the National Book Council is renewed in an Act of Parliament consolidating the legal status and autonomy of the NBC. The motion has been approved by unanimously by writers present. Writers commented on the motions and emphasised the importance of events such as the Congress bringing together writers under one roof. During his address, the Executive Chairperson of the NBC emphasised that the strengthening of writers’ economic standing and the growth of the publishing industry contributes to the renewal of local literature and the cultural, educational, and intellectual growth of society. This is what makes the economic growth of the industry an issue of national importance. In closing, and in dialogue with the authors present, the NBC discussed the way forward and necessary next steps benefitting them and the industry, including the introduction of fiscal incentives for the industry. SHARE POST Related Articles Malta Book Fund Goes Fully Online with an Increased Budget for 2025 Malta Book Fund 17th March, 2025 Read More The National Book Council has rebranded! News 5th March, 2025 Read More Call for Delegates: Malta Named Focus Country for the 2025 Mediterranea Publishing Fellowship Initiatives 28th February, 2025 Read More The National Book Council at the 2025 London Book Fair News 25th February, 2025 Read More NBC and Wikimedia Malta announce Wikimedians in Residence for National Book Prize Project News 20th February, 2025 Read More National Book Prize 2025 – Applications Are Open National Book Prize 17th February, 2025 Read More NBC empowers local stakeholders at the London Book Fair 2025 Literary Exports 11th February, 2025 Read More The NBC’s Annual Report For 2024 News 4th February, 2025 Read More Festivals, Funds And Initiatives In 2025: Key Dates Festivals 29th January, 2025 Read More Join the NBC at the London Book Fair 2025: Guest Passes for NBC stakeholders from Malta Literary Exports 13th January, 2025 Read More view all similar news
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