The Authors Guild has sent a message to its members about a simplified way authors can file a claim to ensure their works get the benefits they are entitled to under the Google Book Search settlement. Authors, or their agents, can submit their bibliography of works covered by the settlement to the claims administrator at BookSettlement@RustConsulting.com. Authors who are unsure if their works are covered in the settlement are advised to submit all titles. In addition to their name and title of the book, authors can include ISBN, publisher and place and year of publication. "Some authors and agents found the claiming process cumbersome," said Guild executive director Paul Aiken. "The new producure allows authors to simply e-mail their bibliographies. Sending in additional information such as ISBNs is helpful, but completely optional."

By filing the claim, authors will be eligible to manage their books that are covered by the settlement if the agreement is approved. Filing a claim will also allow authors to receive payment for books covered in the agreement. With books from publishers in most parts of the world now out of the agreement, payment per book could very well go beyond $60 per title. Deadline for submitting a book to receive a cash payment is March 31, 2011.