Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, also known as bestselling Irish crime writer Sam Blake, has been re-elected for a second term as Chair of the Society of Authors (SoA).
Juliet McKenna, a highly regarded sci-fi and fantasy author, has been elected as the SoA’s Vice Chair.
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin said:
“I’m delighted to be re-elected for a second term as Chair. We are sailing through particularly tricky waters as authors at the moment and the SoA is very involved both publicly and behind the scenes in fighting for authors’ rights. I’m delighted to have the full confidence of the board to move the organisation forward for the next two years and to see some of the projects we are embarking on through to completion.
“I’m also thrilled to have the support of Juliet McKenna as Vice Chair. With her experience of the industry, her experience on the board and her thorough understanding of the science fiction and fantasy world, she brings a great blend of strategy, supreme good sense and practical insight to every interaction.
“We have a superb CEO in Anna Ganley, an excellent staff team, a strong board and an engaged membership which I hope will continue to grow over the next two years – as authors we are stronger together and there has never been a more important time for authors, illustrators, translators and script writers to unite.”
Juliet McKenna said:
“Since joining the Society of Authors in 1999, I’ve had invaluable advice and one-to-one support as a member, as well as benefiting from their campaigns to uphold and defend the interests of every writer.
“Since my election to the board in 2021, I’ve seen the demands on the organisation’s staff and board grow year on year, which prompted the 2025 AGM resolution to appoint a Vice Chair.
“I will strive to repay my fellow board members’ confidence in appointing me to this new role, supporting the Society’s initiatives and projects through 2026 and beyond.”
The appointments were made by the SoA’s board at its January 2026 meeting.
The board (Management Committee) is the SoA’s member-elected board of directors and charity trustees. It meets six times a year to govern the direction of the Society.
Up to twelve elected members, alongside the Chairs of its professional groups – including the Translators Association and the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group – are responsible for setting the strategy and policies of the organisation.
The board elects a new Chair from among its number every two years. Members can serve as Chair for a maximum of two terms, so this will be Vanessa’s final term, completing her term in January 2028.
