Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

Should writers get a pension? Argentina's considering it

I think this is a great idea! Would you like to see that adopted in your country?

Argentina is to consider granting a special pension to writers on the grounds that they generate "social richness" but often end up impoverished.

The lower house of congress will study a proposal presented on Tuesday that would give published authors a monthly stipend of £565, well above the state minimum pension.

The idea, inspired by similar initiatives in France and Spain, would offer the pension to those who are aged over 65 and have published at least five books or invested more than 20 years in "literary creation".

"Writers support the general culture of a community. They are individual creators who generate a sort of social richness that is difficult to quantify," Carlos Heller, a deputy from the socialist party who sponsored the initiative, told the BBC.

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Is that a fair method of selection for who qualifies and who doesn't?

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Permalink Reply by Anne James on May 1, 2011 at 3:20pm

When I think of Paulo Coelho from Argentina and other talented writers, I can see how this could happen there. I think it's a great plan but would add a requirement the authors who recieve stipends work with new and struggling authors too. Donating their valuable experience would be huge to unpublished authors and give back.

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Permalink Reply by Kay Elizabeth on May 1, 2011 at 7:11pm

Now that is a fantastic idea indeed, Anne. That would be priceless!

I'm all for writers not dying in poverty after all those years of soul searching. This reminds me of the thread about Ayn Rand.

http://www.authors.com/forum/topics/was-ayn-rand-a-hypocrite

Anne James said:

When I think of Paulo Coelho from Argentina and other talented writers, I can see how this could happen there. I think it's a great plan but would add a requirement the authors who recieve stipends work with new and struggling authors too. Donating their valuable experience would be huge to unpublished authors and give back.