Persson’s memoirs should not be subsidised
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The news that Göran Persson is to receive 700,000 kronor to write his memoirs is proving to be a hot topic among readers of The Local.
Late last year, controversial columnist Linda Skugge ruffled feathers when she lambasted fellow scribes who take state funding to churn out books that nobody wants to read.
This time it’s not the Swedish Authors’ Fund that’s doling out the cash but a Bank of Sweden foundation. Nevertheless, it’s public money: Persson is being paid by the state to write about his time doing a job that the state paid him to do. But will the profits go to the Swedish state? Or will the book be free to Swedish taxpayers? Of course not – if you want the glossy hardback you’ll have to get in line and Persson will pocket the proceeds.
As Croydonian pointed out, it doesn’t say much for Persson’s writing ability that even as a former long-serving prime minister he needs a state subsidy to cover the cost of the research for his book. Normally that’s what publishers’ advances are for.
Every krona Persson makes from this book should be returned to the foundation until the 700,000 kr is repaid. You can’t expect state subsidies to finance private gains. That’s just so pre September 17th 2006.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:32 am
The first thought that comes to mind is that he will have a nice city-centre apartment to write it in. But really the overwhelming thought is one of disbelief at the whole thing. Didn’t he lose the election? There seems to to be a kind of complacent acceptance of things such as this amongst Swedes and it is time you started rejecting this kind of thing. Loudly.
March 12th, 2007 at 9:31 am
If GP is going to get subsidized to write his memoirs, then he should have a condition attached to it. The condition is that he can have the money ONLY if he comes back to the town where he was ‘mayor’ for so many years.
GP, come on back to Katrineholm! Spend the grant money here!
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:54 am
OK…My memoirs are done. Now where’s my SEK 700 000.
What a load of bull. I had to embark on a self-publication exercise which cost me SEK 30 000 thus far. Not because I was rejected by normal publishers but I decided not to wait for 12 months months to have my story told. I also have to pay for my own marketing.
What is so special about his story that he gets subsidised and free marketing to boot?
Swedish society should have their heads read for accepting this crap.
Methinks I’ll organise a demonstration.
Gerrie Hugo
May 8th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Haai Gerrie, I REALLY HOPE YOU READ THIS
Groot was my verbasing toe ek NOG n Hugo van die republiek hier in Swede sien en nogal op TV!
Anyways out of respect for the other people on the board I will write in English. I would really be happy if you could contact me so that we can compare notes about the Hugo family! My name is Erich Hugo and I am a refugee of LOVE ( yes I met a Swedish nooi) My Hugo Family comes from Riversdal and before that Groot Drakenstein but I am a bred Natalian obviously shouting for the SHARKS who will destroy the BLUES this weekend. (Rugby to all you handball fanatic people)
I would really like to catch up with you and swop family memoirs and you can google my name to get some background info on me. I have the Hugo Family Book here and I am sure you would like a copy of it! Not many Hugo’s left in the world therefor I was so surprised when you were on TV!!!! I have the Hugo family dated back to Iperney in France in the beginning of the 17th century but think soon I will start digging further.
Groot seblief kontak my!! erich_hugo@hotmail.com
Die Son Gaan Water Drink ( A ZULU AFRIKAANS SAYING)
Erich
May 10th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
AAAHH!!
Another one of the homo sapiens that can talk the language of the anti-christ…lol
Hi Erich,
When you read this you will know that I have already established contact.
And for the uninitiated…the last sentence means
“The sun is going to drink water.”
Beware Stockholm…now there is two of us