iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Authors Against Book Bans

@authorsabb.bsky.social

14K followers 94 following 746 posts

We are Authors Against Book Bans. We stand united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. We unequivocally support diverse voices on our library shelves, in our schools, and in our culture. www.authorsagainstbookbans.com

Posts Replies Media

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 7: A blue graphic with white text that reads: Need a script? Check out the link on our bio for helpful scripts to use when calling your reps and an easy way to find your reps' phone numbers. And don't stop at the national level. Take time this week to find out who's running in your district in the 2026 midterms and the 2027 off-year elections. See where they stand on the freedom to read, and let your readers know who you're voting for. Speak up, show up, and vote! In solidarity, Authors Against Book Bans.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 6: A white graphic with black and red text that reads: Know your enemy... S. 4925. S 4925 Status: Referred to senate HELP committee for review A “companion bill” to HR 7661, this senate bill would “prohibit funding for sexually oriented material” in public schools across the country, with a few, limited, cherry-picked exceptions. As with HR 7661, the definition of “sexually oriented material” is far-reaching and vague—except when it calls out anything related to “gender dysphoria” and “transgenderism.” In short: A senate version of HR 7661 that may be lumped in with HR 2616.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 5: A white graphic with black and orange text that reads: Know your enemy... H.R. 8705. Status: Passed out of committee; to be introduced in the House Rather than naming specific books or categories of literature, it blocks federal funding for American History and Civics Education from being used to promote what it calls “discriminatory equity ideology” or “gender ideology,” definitions drawn from a January 29, 2025 executive order. Likely impacts would include fewer books on racism and civil rights, less discussion of sexism and inequality, narrower civics curricula, and publishers pulling back on diverse perspectives. In short: A funding lever that shapes whose version of history gets taught.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 4: A white graphic with black and yellow text that reads: Know your enemy... H.R. 2616. Status: Passed the House; referred to senate HELP committee for review Would withhold ESEA funding from schools that “teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology,” using definitions from Executive Order 14168. It frames itself as protecting children. In practice, it represents another attempt to eliminate not only trans and nonbinary books, but also any acknowledgment of gender non‑conforming people in public education. In short: Would deny the existence of trans and nonbinary people.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 3: A white graphic with black and red text that reads: Know your enemy... H.R. 7661. Status: Reported favorably to the House; available for hearings and vote. Would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to prohibit federal funds from being used for any material deemed “sexually oriented.” Buried within that definition is language that includes material that “involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism.” While framed as protecting children, the bill opens the door to banning books that include LGBTQ+ characters, defining trans existence as inherently inappropriate, and narrowing literature toward a prescribed, limited canon. In short: Would treat any LGBTQ+ identity as sexual content.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Slide 2: A blue graphic with red arrows and white text that reads: Call your reps. The biggest thing you can do this Banned Books Week is to call or write your elected officials in Washington. Tell them that you oppose the three federal book ban bills listed in the following slides. Tell them that this November, the freedom to read is on the ballot.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Slide 6: Are you a published author? Join Authors Against Book Bans. Whether your book has been banned or not, this is a fight that involves and affects all of us. We need you.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Slide 5: Authors and librarians need YOU. Even just one person speaking up in support of a book or an author can sway opinion at a school board meeting. Book banners win when the rest of us are silent. Don't stay silent. This Banned Books Week, make plans to call your reps, keep track of book-banning attempts in your community, and research the candidates for your local school board elections. Together, we can make a difference.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Slide 4: The data is sobering. But the news is not all bad. In fact, in Texas, one of the states with the highest number of book bans, a recent poll found that 90% of Texans believe public libraries should be treated as an essential service. (A graphic of the state of Texas shows a book with hearts coming out of it.) Data from a statewide opinion poll by KRC Research on behalf of the Texas Library Association.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Slide 3: The truth is, these numbers are almost certainly an undercount. Many book bans go completely unreported. At this point, most book bans are the result of state legislation or organized groups. Political pressure goes beyond legislation to intimidation campaigns, with politicians sending threatening letters, putting school administrators through hearings, even claiming district media specialists are "child abusers."

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Slide 2: In 2021-22, there were 2,532 book bans recorded. In 2022-23, there 3,362. In 2023-24, there were 10,046. In 2024-5, there were 6,870. In 2025-26, there were 11,982. This is the highest number ever recorded.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Authors Against Book Bans. Follow us to learn more about book bans, the authors they impact, and what you can do to fight for the freedom to read.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Common Myth 5: Book bans only happen in places like Florida or Texas

Reality: Book Bans can (and are) happening everywhere. Even "blue" states like California, Illinois, or Massachusetts, still experience book bans in schools and libraries. By pretending it's only "some states," we create a ripe environment for "sof censorship," instances where certain books may be pulled from shelves without an official challenge or not purchased in the first place.

Source: Book Rion, "You're Wrong About These Common Myths About Book Bans," 2024

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Common Myth 4: "I can still buy the book, so it's not really banned."

Reality: Even if you personally can buy a book at a bookstore or other retailer, libraries still play a fundamental role in keeping literature accessible to everyone, students and patrons alike, regardless of their financial privileges. Banning a book in a library is still a potential infringement on students' constitutional rights.

Source: PEN America "What is a Book Ban?"

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Common Myth 3. Being banned actually helps an author's sales.

Reality: Most authors do not see a bump in sales after their books are banned. In addition, many authors lose out on the opportunity to connect with readers at events like festivals or school visits, decreasing their income further. For authors who are not already bestsellers, this loos can be financially devasting.

Source: Book Riot "You're wrong about these common myths about Book Bans" (2024)

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Common Myth 2. Banned books are "legally obscene" or "pornographic,"

Reality: The vast majority of banned titles feature people of color (44%), LGBTQ+ people (39%), or trans or gender-diverse people (10%). Only 10% of challenged titles included "on the page" sexual experiences.

Source: PEN America, "Fact vs. Fiction," May 7, 2026

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Common Myth 1. Book Bans are initiated by concerned parents in a school district.

Reality: In 2025, 92% of all book challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers. Less than 3% of challenges originated from individual parents.

Source: ALA Censorship by the Numbers: Data from 2025

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

5 Common Myths about Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A white panel with black text that reads: The damage S.4925 does affects students on multiple levels. Wiping out thirty-five years of literature and contemporary art threatens their ability to receive current and competitive educations. The censorship of diverse stories and perspectives impedes their First Amendment rights. And the bias given to the Christian worldview violates the freedom of religion that our nation was founded on.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A white panel with black text that reads: Exemptions are made for “classical works of literature,” which is limited to books published prior to 1990 and listed in Great Works of the Western World OR to books endorsed by Christian homeschooling publisher Compass Classroom. This is a blatant attempt by these legislators to impose their own religious ideology on classrooms across the country. The idea that we are done creating classic works of literature, that great literature stopped by a certain arbitrary deadline, ignores groundbreaking and award-winning American literature published over the last 36 years for all ages that isn’t approved by Compass Classroom.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

a white panel with black text that reads: Under the smoke screen of “protecting children,” this bill--which uses similar language and ideas from HB 7661-- threatens our public schools, destroys students’ right to read, and violates the constitutional separation of church and state. S.4925 would strip funding from public schools that use books deemed “inappropriate” or “sexually oriented” and leaves this language vague and overreaching by design, driving them to preemptively remove hundreds of books from their shelves in order to stay open. Any books mentioning gender dysphoria or “transgenderism” are automatically considered sexual in nature and required to be removed.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

a white panel with black text that reads: Authors Against Book Bans
Statement of Opposition Re: S.4925 “Stop the Sexualization of Children” Companion Bill to HR 2616.
Authors Against Book Bans (AABB) fiercely opposes Senate Bill 4925, the latest step in this insidious plan to pass nationwide book banning legislation.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

30 min left to go talk #BookBans with @tasslyn.bsky.social

Okay #ALA2026 - I'm at the Palmer House at a table near the Lockwood Express and open to talking about book bans and freedom to read for the next hour - 9pm
I become a pumpkin.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Warren Davidson running for U.S. Representative OH-8. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Troy Downing running for U.S. Representative MT-2. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Sheri Biggs running for U.S. Representative SC-3. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Ralph Norman running for Governor of South Carolina. As a U.S representative, was a cosponsor of H.R. 7661. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Randy Weber, SR. running for U.S. Representative TX-14. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Randy Fine running for U.S. Representative FL-6. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Paul A. Gosar running for U.S. Representative AZ-9. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Mike Bost running for U.S. Representative IL-12. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Mary E. Miller running for U.S. Representative IL-15. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Marlin A. Stutzman running for U.S. Representative IN-3. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Keith Self running for U.S. Representative TX-3. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Julia Letlow running for U.S. Senate for Louisiana. As a U.S representative, was a cosponsor of H.R. 7661. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

John W. Rose running for Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S representative, was a cosponsor of H.R. 7661. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

John J. McGuire III running for U.S. Representative VA-5. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Harriet M Hageman running for US Representative for WY. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

W. Gregory Steube running for U.S. Represenative FL-17. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Claudia Tenney running for U.S. Representative NY-24. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Chip Roy running for Attorney General of Texas. As a U.S representative, was a cosponsor of H.R. 7661. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Barry Moore running for U.S Senate fore Alabama. As a U.S representative, was a cosponsor of H.R. 7661. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Andrew Ogles running for US Representative TN-5 is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

A black and white graphic with a red dash and text that reads: Much like H.R. 2616, this bill seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to limit or withhold funding from schools whose American history and civics education programs teach “discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology.” It is an attempt to codify Executive Order 14190 (“Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”) and whitewash our nation’s history, leading to a loss of diverse stories and perspectives.

Teaching a full and honest picture of U.S. history is not indoctrination. Editing and sanitizing that history in favor of patriotic propaganda and white nationalist talking points, however, is.

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

More info & talking points on HR 8705, which has passed out of committee & is waiting to be introduced to the House. (As if Sunday evening)

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Working on candidate scorecards for all of the sponsors of HR 7661 & a quick question for all of our authors, publishers, librarians, and readers in blue New York...Y'all cool with this? Maybe you get yourselves to NY-24 to help give Tenney the boot!

Claudia Tenney running for U.S. Representative NY-24. Is a cosponsor of H.R. 1776. This national-level book banning bill would grant the federal government decision-making power over what books make it into local school libraries. Rated: Red. Authors Against Book Bans