Fossil Free Books

@fossilfreebooks.org

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Book workers organising in solidarity with Palestine, and against fossil fuels ✊📖🍉 fossilfreebooks.org linktr.ee/fossilfreebooks opencollective.com/fossil-free-books Template letter: https://bit.ly/4kDo2O4

A pink background with a black and white picture of Mohamed Tonsy. White text on a black background reads, “As a member of the SoA board, I will push for making the book world more accessible to people of colour, fight for more equitable pay, and strategise to connect all our members”
A pink background with a black and white picture of Polly Atkin. White text on a black background reads, “The industry needs a culture shift to make it more accessible to disabled, D\deaf and neurodivergent people… together, we can make thriving in this industry possible for everyone.”
A pink background with a black and white picture of Matt Abbott. White text on a black background reads, “I’m also passionate about campaigning for both vocal and practical expressions of Palestinian solidarity… I intend to use my experience to grow the membership of your union and, in the process, build the power to change the publishing industry for the better”
A pink background with a black and white picture of Jen Calleja. White text on a black background reads, “For as long as I have been writing and translating, I have spoken and written about the largely invisible workloads and payment structures of authors and literary translators… I’ve learnt that writers and translators must work together to shape our industry.”
A pink background with a holographic sticker-style text reading Voting Is Open. Black and white text on corresponding backgrounds reads, for the SoA management committee elections. Fossil Free Books collectively endorses these four BRILLIANT candidates…Jen Calleja Matt Abbot Polly Atkin Mohamed Tonsy. Is the SoA the union you need? It will not change by itself. Your vote matters. The Fossil Free Books logo sits in the bottom left corner of the slide.
If you decide to withdraw from a festival, contact us at fossilfreebooksuk@gmail.com - we'll make sure you have access to our mutual aid fund to soften any financial ramifications of withdrawing. If you decide to continue with a planned event but would like to take an action at the festival, email us for support - we can put you in touch with other attendees and help you navigate how best to express solidarity at your event.
We encourage solidarity between the many communities that make up the books industry. Many of the battles we are fighting are not just interconnected, but viciously entangled and need to be fought with a united front. This means: • Solidarity with the trans community. • Solidarity with Palestine. • Solidarity with disabled book workers. • Solidarity with people working against human rights abuses. • Solidarity with people working for a liveable future.
Fossil Free Books affirms our solidarity with Palestinian poet Fady Joudah and Palestinian novelist Randa Jarrar who have pulled out of their events at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival due to the programming of two Israeli writers, Anshel Pfeffer and genocide denier Etgar Keret. Ahead of the summer book festival season, and in response to rapidly changing situations, we are sharing guidance and updates on engaging with these literary spaces and the wider books industry.
Black text on white background: If you’re an LGBTQ+ bookworker - organise with us. We may not be able to convince those in power to change. But by building our collective power as workers, we can transfer power away from those in charge and into the hands of those working to make our industry better and safer for all. DM or email us at fossilfreebooksuk@gmail.com to get involved.
Black text on white and pink background: The clear purpose of the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC interim guidance is to segregate and ostracise trans women. The policing of public spaces such as toilets and venues is harmful to all women, also impacting trans men, non-binary people, disabled people and people of colour. Our response to fascist policies which seek to erode our rights and divide society needs to be one of collective solidarity and action.
Black text on white background with elements highlighted: If you’re attending literary festivals this year, write to them asking that they affirm the safety and dignity of trans guests and audiences. A sample letter is in our bio. If you’re a member of the Society of Authors, contact them and demand that they release a statement of solidarity and practical guidance to support trans authors, translators and illustrators when attending festivals or participating in book events.
Black text on both white and blue background: Trade unionists: your trans and non-binary members need leadership to denounce the Supreme Court’s ruling and issue guidance for members who may now face discrimination in their places of work. Write to your union representatives and leaders, asking that they support their trans workers and publicly oppose the implementation of the EHRC’s interim guidance.
Black text on white background: So what can we do to be unequivocal in our support for trans people? Bookshops, publishers, festivals, venues and all other literary spaces: you can make a clear public statement that you will prioritise the safety and dignity of trans writers, readers and workers, and will not adhere to the interim guidance. You can also sign the collective letter to the EHRC from cultural organisations, taking a stand against trans segregation: https://tinyurl.com/EHRCletter
Black text on background of Trans Solidarity Flag: The EHRC interim update for organisations is not legally binding. An updated code of practice is due to be submitted for ministerial approval in June, following a two-week consultation period. This means there’s currently no legal obligation for businesses and organisations to implement trans segregation policies. It also means we can – and must – fight for a more just interpretation of the law.
Black text on background of Trans Solidarity Flag: Fossil Free Books stands in solidarity with our trans siblings. We are united in our anger at the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC update. Rather than providing “clarity”, this ruling and the EHRC interim update are causing confusion, uncertainty and fear. They have also given strength to the authoritarian, sexist campaign for the persecution and ostracism of trans women. Trans, non-binary and intersex people – including bookworkers – are facing exclusion from basic aspects of public life.
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every author who left the SoA belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every woman writer belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every queer writer belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing in colours of the rainbow and trans pride flags. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every disabled writer belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every poet belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every illustrator belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every translator belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every working class writer belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'Every writer of colour belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading 'I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads: 'Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading "Every writer against genocide belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads: "Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading "I belong in my union and so do you' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads: "Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
A bright purple background has text reading "Every climate justice writer belongs in their union' in shiny holographic sticker style writing. Below it sits the Fossil Free Books logo and smaller text that reads: "Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30th Apr to vote in this year's Management Committee elections'
The Society of Authors needs to change. But it won’t without you. Join – or rejoin – as a Full Member by Wednesday 30th April to vote in this year’s Management Committee elections.
Green text on white background: The Strategy Day will take place simultaneously across three locations, with a community lunch at the in-person events. We'll be touch closer to the time with venue details, an agenda and to ask about access requirements. For now, please register your interest for the events via the link in our bio!
Green text on white background: When we organise as workers, we create the world as we wish it to be. Our Strategy Day will be used to reflect on our organising from the past year, while also looking toward the future. You don't need to have organised with us before to join the strategy day. It will be a friendly space for all to discuss the direction of our pro-climate, pro-Palestine movement.
Green text on white background: Whether you're an author, illustrator, translator, editor, publisher, agent, production editor, publicist, librarian, designer, proofreader, copy editor, bookseller, festival staff, or contribute to the books industry in any other capacity - we invite you to organise with us and help us share the future of our organising collective.
Green text on white background: Organise with us in 2025! Fossil Free Books' Strategy Day. When? Saturday 18th January, 10am-4pm GMT. Where? Edinburgh, London and Online.