iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/08/2026

Are you taking part in the Edinburgh Festivals this year? Want to create a solidarity statement, raise awareness, or make a call to action but unsure how to go about it? We've made a support pack to help! Download here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wmEC...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/09/2025

Mohamed Tonsy is is an Egyptian writer and bookseller based in Edinburgh. His debut novel was developed through Maslaha’s MFest Short Story Competition. He has been active in literary networks, including the Scottish BPOC Writers Network.

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”

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/09/2025

Polly Atkin is a poet, nonfiction writer, editor, and bookseller based in Cumbria. Her writing includes biography, memoirs, and nature writing, and she has been active in the literary and academic worlds for more than two decades. She also co-owns a long-established independent bookshop.

$A pink background with a black and white picture of Polly Atkin. White text on a black background reads, “The industry needs a culture shift to make it more accessible to disabled, D\deaf and neurodivergent people… together, we can make thriving in this industry possible for everyone.”$

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/09/2025

Matt Abbott is a poet, lyricist, and educator whose work combines literature with social engagement. He began performing poetry in 2006 and has been a full-time poet since 2013, publishing collections, contributing to anthologies, and writing commissioned work for organisations and campaigns.

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”

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/09/2025

Jen Calleja is is an author, translator, and publisher. She has published seven books of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and has translated around 20 books from German into English for both large and small publishers.

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.”

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 11/09/2025

Voting for the Society of Authors Management Committee elections is NOW OPEN until Wednesday 22 October! 🗳️ Here's some more info on the four amazing candidates Fossil Free Books organisers have decided to collectively endorse 👉

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 21/07/2025

If you decide to withdraw from a festival, contact us - we'll make sure you have access to our mutual aid fund. If you decide to continue with a planned event but would like to take an action at the festival, email us for support. Join us to build the books industry we all deserve!

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.

Build the books industry you need and deserve!

Fossil Free Books meets regularly on a Monday afternoon at 12:30pm.

We invite you to reach out to fossilfreebooksuk@gmail.com to request a meeting invite where you can join us in transforming the books industry.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 21/07/2025

We encourage solidarity between the many communities that make up the books industry. Full text in images and alt text.

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.

Build solidarity with Palestinian book workers by:

• Writing to festivals and encouraging them to endorse BDS and PACBI (The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel).
• If a festival has programmed writers who have denied genocide, write to the organisers to question the purpose of this harmful choice and to tell them how it affects you. You may wish to draw attention to how this supports the 'normalisation' of Israeli apartheid and occupation.

Advocate for the safety of trans and non-binary authors and book workers at festivals by:

• Asking festivals to affirm that trans writers and audience members will be able to access facilities which align with their gender.
• If a festival has programmed
'gender critical' writers who've advocated for the removal of rights for trans people, contact the festival expressing concern about why this is harmful and dangerous, especially when disguised under the spirit of debate and dialogue.

Centre the voices of disabled book workers at festivals by:

• Following the ADCI guide on working with disabled authors and asking about remote access to events, while ensuring that streaming with captions and/or BSL interpretation is prioritised at the events of disabled authors who rely on this accessibility.
• If a festival has programmed a writer who has perpetuated harmful ableist ideology such as promoting removal of access to welfare, support or diagnoses, write to the festival to question the purpose of this choice and share how it affects you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 21/07/2025

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.

A spokesperson for EIBF said,
"At this critical and distressing time, we respect and acknowledge the right of authors to choose which festival programmes to participate in and work with all of our authors to support them to take part."

By holding tight to the flawed notion that debating both sides can lead to meaningful, reparative change, the festival has put the onus on its Palestinian attendees to decide whether or not to appear.

As of July 14th, Etgar Keret's event was subsequently cancelled.

Fossil Free Books' primary aim as a collective is to build worker power across the books industry. By organising as workers last year, we were able to pressure literary festivals into re-evaluating their sponsorship models.

We welcome this change and reiterate our invitation for a collaboration between festivals and Fossil Free Books to further explore ethical funding models that are aligned with the values of the book workers that make these festivals possible.

Fossil Free Books is not calling for any collective action relating to EIBF or any other literary festival this year.

However, we encourage all festival participants and attendees to consider how you can best assert your solidarity with Palestine and the ongoing fight for trans and disability justice.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

If you’re an LGBTQ+ bookworker - organise with us. 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 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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

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 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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

Attending literary festivals this year? Then write to them asking they affirm the safety and dignity of trans guests and audiences. If you’re a member of the SoA, demand that they release both a statement of solidarity and practical guidance to support trans authors, translators and illustrators.

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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

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 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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

So what can we do to be unequivocal in our support for trans people? Bookshops, publishers, festivals, venues and other literary spaces can make a clear public statement that you will prioritise the safety & dignity of trans writers, readers and workers, and won't adhere to the 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

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

The EHRC interim update for organisations is not legally binding. 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: 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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/05/2025

We stand in solidarity with our trans siblings and are united in our anger at the Supreme Court ruling & EHRC update. Trans, non-binary and intersex people are facing exclusion from basic aspects of public life. Please read this thread that contains recommendations and calls to action.

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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 30/04/2025

Join the Society of Authors by Wednesday 30th April so you can vote in this year’s Management Committee elections. Need help with union fees? Request a £50 grant via our Open Collective fund. Links for eligibility + help with fees: linktr.ee/fossilfreebo... ✊️ I belong in my union and so do you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 30/04/2025

📢 Every author who left the SoA belongs in their union! 🚪 You and hundreds of other authors have left the Society of Authors over the past year. 🚫 It has consistently worked to alienate you for your divestment actions. 🇵🇸 It has demonised you for demanding union solidarity with Palestine. [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 30/04/2025

🗣️ Every woman writer belongs in their union! 🤦🏻‍♀️ With a gender pay gap between male and female authors of 41.4%, women writers experienced a 21% drop in their income between 2017 and 2020.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 30/04/2025

📣 Every queer writer belongs in their union!

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 29/04/2025

Need help with union fees? Request £50 via the Fossil Free Books Open Collective fund. Links for eligibility + help with fees: linktr.ee/fossilfreebo... ✊️ I belong in my union and so do you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 29/04/2025

📢 Every disabled writer belongs in their union! 📈 Disabled people in the UK face a higher cost of living. With author pay at an all-time low, the industry has never felt more excluding. ‼️ From cuts to state support, lack of accommodations and inaccessible events, disabled writers deserve better.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/04/2025

Join the Society of Authors by Wednesday 30th April so you can vote in this year’s Management Committee elections. [4] Need help with union fees? Request a £50 grant via the Fossil Free Books Open Collective fund: opencollective.com/fossil-free-... ✊️ I belong in my union and so do you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 28/04/2025

📢 Every poet belongs in their union! 💸 2024 was a record-breaking year for poetry book sales. Despite this giving poets more power in the market, so few make money from sales. 💪 Being a poet today remains precarious, and you deserve a trade union that will better serve you as a worker. [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 27/04/2025

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 27/04/2025

📢 Every illustrator belongs in their union! ✏️ Illustrators across the UK are already losing work to AI. With the government increasingly prioritising the interests of AI companies, important voices of opposition aren’t being heard. [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 25/04/2025

Join the Society of Authors by Wednesday 30th April so you can vote in this year’s Management Committee elections. [7] Need help with union fees? Request a £50 grant via the Fossil Free Books Open Collective fund: opencollective.com/fossil-free-... ✊️ I belong in my union and so do you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 25/04/2025

📢 Every translator belongs in their union! 🛑 The Society of Authors recently targeted Meta for its use of pirated books (including works in translation) to train its AI. 🤐 But why does it remain silent when major publishing houses announce their intentions to use AI to translate their books? [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 25/04/2025

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 24/04/2025

Join the Society of Authors by Wednesday 30th April so you can vote in this year’s Management Committee elections. [3] Need help with union fees? Request a £50 grant via the Fossil Free Books Open Collective fund: opencollective.com/fossil-free-... ✊️ I belong in my union and so do you.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 24/04/2025

📢 Every working class writer belongs in their union! 📚 In a survey by The Bookseller a staggering 78% of working-class authors said their background had hindered their career. [1] www.thebookseller.com/news/survey-...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 23/04/2025

Join the Society of Authors as a Full Member by Wed 30 April so you can vote in this year's Management Committee elections. [4] For information on eligibility and to access financial support with joining fees, head here: linktr.ee/fossilfreebo...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 23/04/2025

📢 Every writer of colour belongs in their union! 💸 Research commissioned by ALCS in 2022 shows that pay for writers of colour is 51% lower than for their white counterparts (in real terms). [1] www.alcs.co.uk/news/why-wri...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 22/04/2025

The SoA will only stand in solidarity with Palestine if you join and get active. Join the Society of Authors by Wed 30 April so you can vote in this year's Management Committee elections. [6] Need support with joining fees? We can help: linktr.ee/fossilfreebo...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 22/04/2025

Every writer against genocide belongs in their union. The Society of Authors does not stand for a free Palestine. Not yet. Amid Israel’s destruction of libraries, bookshops, printing presses and publishing houses in Gaza, the SoA’s lack of solidarity is driving members to leave the union. [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 16/04/2025

The SoA must do more for climate justice – but it won’t without you. Join the Society of Authors by Wed 30 April so you can vote in this year's Management Committee elections. [6] Links for eligibility + help with fees: linktr.ee/fossilfreebo...

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 16/04/2025

Every climate justice writer belongs in their union. The Society of Authors claims to be committed to sustainability. But climate justice is about more than sustainable sources of paper – it’s about power. In calling for individual authors to hold their publishers to account, the SoA is… [1]

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 04/04/2025

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. Writers, translators & illustrators face huge challenges right now… (1/5)

Writers, translators and illustrators face huge challenges right now including: falling earnings, the threat of AI, the sector’s complicity in genocide and fossil fuel extraction, challenges to free speech.

Can you resist these threats? Yes! But only if you have a member-led union that truly represents you.

Fossil Free Books recommends that writers, translators and illustrators join the Society of Authors. With its wealth of resources and powerful industry connections, it has great potential – but without you it can’t channel that potential into meaningful action.

Recent successes at the 2024 AGM and EGM have already shown that you have the power to use its existing democratic processes to make it the healthy, bold trade union that you need and deserve.

The only way to create a fairer, more sustainable industry is to create it together. Your union won’t change without you – and the first step is to join.

If you need support with your union fees, you can claim £50 through our Open Collective fund (link in post).

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 17/12/2024

We’ll be in touch with further details soon, but for now head to the link below and register your interest for one of the three events today! Any questions, leave a comment below or drop us a DM. In solidarity, Fossil Free Books! actionnetwork.org/groups/fossi...

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!

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 17/12/2024

All book workers are welcome - whether or not you’ve organised with us in the past. We want to hear as many voices, and bring as many people into this movement, as possible. The more of us there are, the safer and more sustainable it is for everyone. ❤️

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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 17/12/2024

This will be an opportunity for us to reflect on our organising this year and to forge paths forward, considering how we can continue to use our power as workers to help create a books industry that is free from fossil fuel funding and ties to Israeli genocide, occupation and apartheid.

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.

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Fossil Free Books @fossilfreebooks.org · 17/12/2024

Start your new year by organising to create the world as you wish it to be ✨ Join the Fossil Free Books Strategy Day, happening on Saturday 18th January 10am - 4pm GMT in Edinburgh, London and online.

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.

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