We are delighted to welcome children’s and YA author Sita Brahmachari, poet and translator Kevin Crossley-Holland, actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry, educational writer Judy Garton-Sprenger, previous Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group Chair Mary Hoffman, author and screenwriter Catherine Johnson, novelist Kate Mosse and comics writer Woodrow Phoenix to the SoA Fellows.
They join 51 existing Fellows.
Membership of the Fellows, an honorary body of up to 60 eminent authors, is an accolade conferred by the Management Committee, and ratified by the membership, on members of high standing who have been exceptional in their support of the SoA.
SoA Fellows were known as the Council prior to a vote to change the name at the 2022 SoA AGM.
Stephen Fry said:
‘I am so proud and honoured to be made a Fellow of the Society of Authors. The Society gives a powerful voice and representation not only to novelists and playwrights but to the thousands of illustrators, translators and others who make their living by the pen/keyboard. At a time when the rights of creators and the very spirit of creativity itself is under very serious and real threat from the various technologies that are being called “Artificial Intelligence”, it has never been more important to stand up for the originality, individuality and authenticity of human writing.’
Kate Mosse said:
‘In these challenging times for authors and publishing, when the familiar landscape is changing, it is so important that the SoA – with an overview of the industry – continues to support and speak for authors’ varied and diverse interests. I am delighted to be asked to play a part in this.’
Woodrow Phoenix said:
‘I was always conscious of my responsibility to represent my artist/writer colleagues as a member of the SoA Management Committee, highlighting issues the wider membership might not be aware of and working together with the rest of the board to craft responses to a wide range of issues facing us all.
It’s an honour to be invited to become a Fellow. We need collective wisdom to deal with the challenges of being a creative professional more than ever, and I will continue supporting the SoA’s workings in any way I can.’
Mary Hoffman said:
‘I’m thrilled to be invited to become a Fellow of the Society of Authors. It’s where my tribe is and where I feel at home. All power to its elbow in these times where writers’ work needs more celebration and protection than ever.’
Sita Brahmachari said:
‘What an honour it is to be invited to be a Fellow of the Society of Authors, a trade union that shines a light on protecting the rights of authors, illustrators and literary translators. On panels, at events and when posing my own questions I have experienced firsthand the wide-ranging ways in which the Society of Authors is a helping hand, support and champion in an industry that can often feel precarious.’
Catherine Johnson said:
‘Thanks so much for the honour of fellowship. I still feel, I expect like a lot of writers, that I have somehow wandered into the wrong room and really shouldn’t be here.
The SoA has been a support over many years, and as my career has changed from children’s books to screen, to radio and to games, that support has been there in different ways over my thirty-plus year career. First as a new author in the pre-internet days, the SoA provided a forum and the invaluable chance to meet and talk with other children’s writers. Before Twitter it often felt like you were writing in a vacuum.
I remember first getting The Author through the door and beginning to feel like a real writer. Then there are the talks and resources and actions, from answering questions about school visits to the profile raising Imison Award, which are always useful. And more recently, the legal and contractual advice has been lifesaving.’
Kevin Crossley-Holland said:
‘The stunning number of new members signing up each year is evidence of the SoA’s crucial role not only in providing a very wide range of literary services but many professional and social opportunities. It’s a serious thrill to be offered a Fellowship, and to be joining such a fine body of writers at the heart of British literary life.’
Judy Garton-Sprenger said:
‘I am thrilled and deeply honoured by the invitation to become a Fellow of the SoA, and thank you so much to all who nominated me. I’ve relished my involvement with the SoA over many years – it’s a glowing beacon of light for authors, always offering invaluable advice and support in increasingly challenging times.’