It is now official. The Free Speech Union now has an official writers’ section, dedicated to helping authors maintain their interests, particularly in the face of cancel culture.
These are some of the threats which were flagged up to the Free Speech Union during their initial discussions with authors:
Morality clauses being included in publishing contracts
Manuscripts being vetted by sensitivity readers
Editors removing content to avoid giving offense, e.g. ‘cultural appropriation’
Publishers reneging on a contract, e.g. after a book has provoked controversy before publication
Publishers refusing to properly distribute or promote books because they’re judged to be ‘difficult’
Grant-giving bodies withholding or withdrawing funding after an author has said something of which they disapprove, e.g. defended sex-based women’s rights
Publishers recalling books after they’ve provoked controversy and insisting their authors make changes, or simply pulping the books
Amazon refusing to stock books, or reorder them when out of stock
Bookshops refusing to stock books or, if they do, their staff refusing to display them properly
Authors being no-platformed from speaking events, e.g. literary festivals, at the behest of other authors, sponsors or venue staff
Malicious reviews being posted online by anonymous trolls
False and defamatory things being said about authors on social media by people who disapprove of their views
Successful authors being dropped by their publishers and agents after they’ve engaged in ‘hate speech’, e.g. tweeted #IStandWithJKRowling
Authors being removed from judging panels after saying something ‘problematic’ (see above)
Craig Simpson of the Telegraph has the details: Writers join rival union that aims to defend free speech after trans row (telegraph.co.uk)
You can see the full list of people on Writers’ Advisory Council here: Writer's Advisory Council – The Free Speech Union I personally think there is a good mix of right, left and centre political opinion. All have a common belief that freedom of speech is worth defending, that cancel culture is a problem in publishing and that the rights of the author should be uppermost in any authors’ union.
And in case anyone asks — membership is not tattooed on people’s forehead and lots of people (including me) have told Toby Young (the founder of the Free Speech Union) that he is obnoxious and disliked. And you know what, at the very least he is willing to fight for authors’ rights and interests. He does not care about intellectual purity. You can see that from the Advisory Council which includes Jack Dee, Julie Bindel, Bel Mooney, Rachel Rooney and others. (I am very happy not to be on the Council and am pleased to be a member).
It is good to have an option.
Ah! Another Great article by the Telegraph, Ma'am. TY for the tip, and all Your comments. I can't recall what the sub to Telegraph costs. I may hafta keep it after all. The Times is pretty silent on these things.
Hope You enjoy Your pre-Christmas week, Michelle. Me? Went for very short walk overnight while the windchill was "only" 18° (-7.8° C). Next weekend, Christmas eve, is forecast of a *high* of -12.8° C! Do You guys over there ever get a "white Christmas" like Bing Crosby dreamed of? So far we haven't here, but are supposed to get some in the next week.
All that to say, wishing You and Your the best. And good luck with the FSU!