Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone can answer my question. I'm Kathy, a Kiwi, but living and working here in the UK (since 2004) as I have dual citizenship. I do love it here!

I've just written my first novel and have been sending it around to agents as you do (no takers so far, but a couple of quite encouraging comments about how they like the WAY that I write, as opposed to the actual story I suppose.)

If (a big if!!) I got an agent and sold my book here in the UK, does anyone know what would happen if I then moved back to New Zealand? Specifically, would I be able to continue with writing and publishing here in the UK or would the agent and/or publisher not want to deal with me any more (despite, hypothetically anyway) already being a published author?

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself, but this question has been bothering me for a while, particularly in the depths of the lovely English winter as I long for the sunnier climes of my homeland very occasionally!

Best wishes to you all

Kathy NZ xx

Great that you've got some positive feedback!

I'm not an expert, but in principle if you got a contract while you were here, I can't see why you shouldn't go on being published here, and if you are there's no reason an agent wouldn't want to represent you. After all, plenty of British authors have a separate US agent to represent them in the US. What with email and phones, the basic communications aren't an issue.

From the publisher's point of view - which an agent would also be thinking about - I suppose the main worry would be that you wouldn't be around enough to promote the book, but if you like it here and have dual nationality, maybe you'll just have to make it very clear that you're happy to come over for longish chunks at a time over publication. You might want to keep a UK bank account, and have some fairly sharp tax advice, though.

On the other hand, maybe it would be wise not to mention the idea when you're at this stage of the business.

Very good luck with it, anyway.

Emma


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Last thought - if you are offered an agency or publishing contract, you're eligible to join the Society of Authors, who as well as checking it with a fine-tooth comb for you, have vast experience of every sort of question, including these. Well worth the subscription!

the lovely English winter

Only a foreigner could make that comment and get away with it!

I am a British writer with an American book deal. To be honest, there is little difference in copyright laws between Britain and the States, but this is the thing that all your publishing abraod will hinge on. It's worth checking out the rights of New Zealanders in terms of British copyright law, though I think you will find your works will be protected and in affect, as long as you're churning out good fiction, no one will really care where you're doing it from.

Any contract you sign will surely take into account the fact you are a visitor here? Many foreign writers are published here, after all, and I've not heard any legal complaints. Look at Garth Nix - an Australian writer but a British sensation!

JB

It occurs to me that most 'British' publication is actually 'UK-and-Commonwealth' and UK publishers all have offices in NZ and/or Australia; from the publisher's point of view, even if you're over there, you'd be 'one of our own' in that sense, and they'd deal with you just as they would an author actually living in the UK. An agent over here would be able to sell your US rights perfectly well either directly or through an intermediary, unless you decided you'd rather try to find an NZ agent to do that.

Emma