Statements
June 12, 2023
The Authors Guild believes that books should never be censored or banned, but every author should have to right to decide when and how they want to publish their work. It’s a personal choice, and since words have power, Elizabeth Gilbert absolutely has the right to decide how and when her words should best be used. Some Americans believe it is a stretch to be so upset about a book set in Siberia a century ago seemingly detached from the current regime or crisis wrought by Putin, but Gilbert heard and empathized with the pain of her readers in Ukraine, and we respect her decision that she does not want to bring more harm to her Ukrainian readers.
To be clear, we would not, however, support the decision of a publisher to pressure a writer to not publish the book. Authors should never be required to withdraw books but must have the right to speak or not speak when they wish.
Industry & Advocacy News
Texas Court Sides with Authors Guild and Strikes Down Controversial "Reader Act,” Protecting Free Speech Rights of Booksellers
September 29, 2023
U.S. District Court Grants Preliminary Injunction Barring Implementation of Texas Censorship Law
September 1, 2023
Press Releases
Open Markets, the Authors Guild, and American Booksellers Urge FTC and DOJ to Investigate Amazon’s Book Retail Monopoly
August 16, 2023