As the UK’s largest trade union for writers, illustrators and literary translators, representing more than 12,500 members, the SoA has been speaking out on behalf of its members for over 140 years.
The SoA board strongly believes that book festivals are a vital part of the publishing economy. These festivals are economically and culturally important and, as well as bringing communities together, they play a crucial role in widening access to books, fostering aspiration and embedding the concepts of literacy that are so important in potential readers – whether new or seasoned.
With corporate sponsorship, festivals have been able to broaden awareness of and access to books and their creators, by giving away books to schools, streaming free events to children across the UK and providing free family activities. Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, Chair of the SoA’s board of directors (Management Committee), says:
‘Festivals are a crucial way for authors to connect with readers, find new audiences, sell books and raise awareness of their work. We know many festivals operate as charities and currently face serious financial challenges, and where public funding is limited, private sponsorship is often vital for their existence. We are therefore extremely concerned by any threat to the survival of literary festivals. They are a key part of the literary ecosystem. The SoA will continue to support book festivals, and we will continue to represent all our members, striving to ensure that they are paid for their expertise, and supported in all areas of the business of authorship.’
The SoA will continue its work to ensure that authors and speakers are paid fairly for their contributions to festivals.
We understand the desire for authors and book workers to debate funding models, particularly the issue of corporate sponsorship and sustainability. The SoA’s work surrounding literary festivals is continuing and debates about future funding models will inform its work in this area.
More on festivals: Literary festivals previously funded by Baillie Gifford launch joint appeal for support [via The Bookseller]
More on campaigns: The SoA’s Pay the Creator campaign highlights the need for all authors, poets and contributors to be properly acknowledged and remunerated for their time and expertise, and this applies to author appearances at and participation in literary festivals.