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Biographer Anne Sebba is to take over as chair of the Society of Authors, succeeding Lindsey Davis who is stepping down after one year in the role.
Davis said: “It has been a pleasure to have been chair for the last year but I am now looking forward to spending more time with my writing. I wish my successor the very best in these challenging times.”
She has also resigned from the SoA management committee.
Sebba, who has been an SoA member for 30 years, said she felt “deeply honoured to succeed Lindsey Davis and follow a strong line of other authors before her". She continued: "I have served both on the Broadcast Committee and the Management Committee and am endlessly impressed by the valuable work the Society does in making the solitary life of an author feel just a little less lonely by helping to create a sense of belonging to a community.
"When I have needed advice on copyright, the SOA has been there to inform and reassure, just as they are for hundreds of authors who need advice with contracts, tax, difficulties with publishers or finding an agent.
"The rest of the time the Society is fighting for authors’ rights. In these challenging, digital transitional times, helping authors come to terms with and benefit from the new opportunities, a strong Society of Authors is more necessary than ever.”
Society of Authors chairs are elected for one year, although some—including Davis' predecessor Tom Holland—choose to serve for a further year.