Russian publishing house AST, which has a contract with American writer Stephen King for the release of his books in Russian, has received official notification from the author’s agent about the temporary suspension of cooperation on new contracts, the press service of the publisher told TASS.
“Stephen King’s agent has officially notified the publishing house that the author is temporarily suspending cooperation on all new contracts. Thus, the rights to all previously purchased works remain with AST for the entire duration of the contracts,” the publishing house said.
The author’s new novel “Billy Summers,” which will be available in Russian bookstores on April 6, 2022, will be King’s last novel in Russian for some time, the publisher added. “But there will really be no new novels and renewals of expired rights for some time to come. AST Publishing House pays special attention of Russian readers: the rights to most of the author’s works have been prolonged for 3-4 years, and Stephen King’s books, as before, will be available to domestic of the writer,” AST said.
Earlier American and Canadian writers Stephen King and Linwood Barkley said in Twitter posts that they would not renew contracts for the publication of their books in Russia.
Stephen King’s books are published in multi-million copies worldwide (over 350 million copies have been sold). His works have been successfully adapted for film and television, the writer has won a large number of literary awards and prizes.
Putin suspends accepting compromised currencies
Russia will refuse to accept payment for natural gas supplies in ‘compromised’ currencies, including the dollar and the euro, and will move to payments in rubles, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the meeting with the Cabinet.
“I made the decision to implement within the shortest possible time the package of measures to transfer payments – we will start with that – for our natural gas supplied to the so-called ‘unfriendly’ states to Russian rubles,” the President said.
Russia will continue supplying gas to other countries in accordance with volumes and prices stipulated in earlier concluded contracts, Putin noted.
“I would like to stress separately that Russia will definitely continue supplying natural gas in accordance with volumes and prices, pricing principles set in earlier concluded contracts,” the head of state added.
Foreign consumers should have an opportunity to make required transactions after conversion of gas settlements with unfriendly countries to rubles, the Russian leader said.
“I ask the government to give an appropriate directive to Gazprom on making changes to effective contracts. At the same time, all foreign consumers must be provided with the opportunity to perform required transactions,” Putin said.
