Fossil Free Books

When Out-Spoken Press held a MAP fundraiser back in October 2023, we featured the poetry of Haia Mohammed, a young poet in Gaza who had recently sent us some of her work. Over the course of the unfolding genocide we stayed in touch. She even joined us in the Poetry Room amid all the devastation and upheaval she was experiencing just to work on her craft.

Over the course of the year Haia continued to write on what she was experiencing. In March 2025, she messaged me saying she was unsure if she would survive the genocide and wanted her poems to defy borders, hold witness and act in service of her people being brutally silenced.

We published her pamphlet, The Age of Olive Trees, in May with all proceeds going directly to her and her family. At the same time, Goldsmiths University in London opened their Palestinian Scholarships programme, offering four Palestinians full scholarships to pursue their studies at the university. Haia messaged to say she wanted to apply for the scholarship, to come to London and write poetry that held at its centre a testimony to the violent oppression and the endurance of the Palestinian people.

Haia prepared her application under relentless bombardment, mass killings, starvation, and illness. Out-Spoken Press, together with a small committed team to whom I'm forever indebted, supported her with the tools to finish her submission. The pamphlet received critical acclaim in The Guardian and has continued to win the hearts of readers from all over the world in the space of a few months.

Please read & share the scholarship story of Gazan poet Haia,

❗️and how you can take one action now to help her and the other scholars trapped in Gaza by UK govt red tape ❗️

Editor's note: Husam ends this piece with a request: "Get me out of here."

You can contribute to the campaign - www.gofundme.com/f/aider-les-...

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.

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!

The ADCL guide is here: www.clairewade.com/uploads/1/2/...

The BDS Movement’s Anti-Normalization Guidelines Explained Due to rising demand for a better understanding of the anti-normalization guidelines among non-Arabic speakers in recent years, we present the most...

The link to what’s meant by ‘normalisation’ is here: www.bdsmovement.net/news/bds-mov...

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.

We encourage solidarity between the many communities that make up the books industry.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

Write to your MP to help us Free Alaa Alaa is a British citizen who is wrongfully imprisoned in Egypt on trumped-up charges. He has been subjected to torture, arbitrarily detained, and urgently needs British consular support. He is curre...

Write to your MP now: freealaa.net/message-mp

Keir Starmer must act to secure the release from prison in Egypt of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah. #FreeAlaa

Time is pressing as his mother, Laila Soueif's health is deteriorating.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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: 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.

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.

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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.

And it needs to lead the way in resisting a vocal minority expressing racist, Zionist views at the expense of a broad member base.

This can only happen if you re-join. [3]

🫵 The SoA needs to change - and you are exactly who the SoA needs to transform it.

💪 It has so much potential to be a powerful, supportive trade union.

🔊 But first, it needs to find its voice and activate its industry connections and wealth of resources. [2]

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📢 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]

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.

✍🏾 The Society of Authors recently partnered with Edinburgh Council to give women writers the space and means to write.

But gender inequality in the publishing industry remains a systemic issue both in Scotland and across the UK – one that demands an urgent collective response.

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🗣️ 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.

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.

As a member of the Society of Authors, you can use your power to maintain your union's unwavering resistance to censorship and marginalisation.

Join now and vote to ensure the breadth of the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies are represented on the Management Committee.

🏳️‍⚧️ With the recent Supreme Court ruling, you need a union that will hold firm in its support of all members of our community, especially trans and non-binary writers.

🌈 A recent survey of UK school libraries revealed worrying instances of books with LGBTQIA+ themes being removed from shelves. Transphobic speakers are platformed at literary festivals, and queer reading events have been targeted and even cancelled.

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📣 Every queer writer belongs in their union!

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'

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.