Julia Williams resigns from SoA board, urging 'stronger stand' on cancellation

Author Julia Williams has resigned from the Society of Authors’ (SoA) board, urging it to take “a stronger stand” when supporting authors who face criticism. Williams’ move has prompted the SoA to call for “more respectful communication” across the industry. 

Williams discussed the reasons behind her exit on Sunday 7th December, via X. She described how the recent BBC podcast series focused on Kate Clanchy, Anatomy of a Cancellation, reignited the issue of authors facing the backlash of “being cancelled”.

Williams wrote: “Two years ago, I was honoured and privileged to have been elected to the board of the SoA. I stood, in part, to push back against the intolerance that has swept our industry over the last few years, which has led not only to authors being cancelled (and in some cases losing work) but to a wider culture of fear in publishing, which prevents people speaking out on contentious issues. I had hoped that my presence on the board would mean I would have the opportunity to speak out on these issues and perhaps change hearts and minds. 

“Sadly, that has not been the case. For full disclosure, I am also a member of SEEN in Publishing (a conflict of interest I declared to the chair, chief executive officer and company lawyer in the summer). With the release of Anatomy of a Cancellation, the story became live again, so it was inevitable that SEEN in Publishing would seek to find a solution with the SoA on this matter. I recused myself from the situation.” 

Williams added: “It was disappointing to me to learn that no statement or apology from the SoA to those affected by cancellation was forthcoming. I therefore felt I had no option but to resign from the board, as a matter of principle. While I understand that the society is unable to police the opinions of its 12,000 odd members (and nor should it) there is a difference between online spats between authors and the targeting of individuals over differences of opinions that leads to them losing their livelihoods.

“I felt, and feel, that the SoA could make a much stronger stand on this, because, as far as I can see, if a similar situation were to arise today, there is no protections for anyone who might be subject to such an onslaught. 

“The SoA does fantastic and brilliant work in helping authors with contracts, raising disadvantaged voices and supporting those who have fallen on hard times. I support all the work they do and was proud to serve with my dedicated colleagues, who work extremely hard for the members they serve.

“Unfortunately the issues around cancellation are not disappearing any time soon. Only recently, The Literary Society has suggested that people boycott the works of Onjali Rauf, Rachel Rooney and JK Rowling. This has to stop and the SoA could lead the way. I hope that it can reconsider its position in these matter and do the right thing.”

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