Morton, agent in NSW Supreme Court over alleged contract breach

Literary agent Selwa Anthony is suing author Kate Morton in the New South Wales Supreme Court over an alleged breach of contract, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Anthony took legal action after she was sacked by Morton in 2015 following a 10-year professional relationship. Anthony alleges Morton breached a contract agreed to by phone in 2002 that gives Anthony a 15% commission of all monies earned for the life of the works that Anthony negotiated for.

Morton has since hired a London-based agent to manage future works and royalties from her backlist.

In a cross-claim, Morton is seeking a refund of up to $2.8 million after alleging Anthony deprived her of income by not getting her the best publishing deal when she was an inexperienced author. Morton alleges Anthony failed to improve her position with her publisher Allen & Unwin ‘commensurate with her increasing commercial success’; failed to communicate offers from other publishers; and failed to provide proper accounting, reporting and sales information, among other claims.

Morton has earned $17.3 million in royalties, of which Anthony has taken $2.8 million commission. The case will return to the court later this month.

Category: Local news