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The Press
November 8, 2000
Contract dispute over Ellis book
by Yvonne Martin
A book being written on the controversial Peter Ellis case by author Lynley
Hood will no longer be published by Canterbury University Press after a
dispute.
Ms Hood, of Dunedin,
confirmed yesterday that her contract with Canterbury University Press for
her book, A City Possessed, had been terminated.
The two parties signed a contract for the book in November, 1995. It was
originally due to be published the following year, but that changed.
Ms Hood would not comment on the reasons behind the dispute, saying only that
she regretted that the change of direction had become necessary.
"I respect Canterbury University Press as publishers. I have no wish to get
into a public spat over the issue," she said.
However, Canterbury University Press managing editor Mike Bradstock confirmed
that Ms Hood's manuscript was much longer than her contract stated and she
would not agree to it being cut.
Canterbury University Press is still negotiating with Ms Hood over the terms
of the contract's termination. Mr Bradstock said legal action was not being
contemplated, but he would not comment further.
"I'm immensely disappointed about the way it's turned out."
Ellis was convicted in 1993 of abusing children in his care at Christchurch's Civic
Childcare Centre. He was freed in February after serving two-thirds of a
10-year sentence and has always maintained his innocence.
Retired Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum is now investigating aspects of
the case and is due to report his findings on February 28.
Ms Hood's previous books include one on Minnie Dean, the so-called Winton
"baby farmer" who was hanged for murder at Invercargill in 1895.
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