Authors quit JK Rowling's literary agency

[donquixotedelamancha]

www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/22/authors-quit-jk-rowling-agency-over-transgender-rights

The ever entertaining TRA power couple Fox and Owl were apparently represented by the same agents as the wonderful Ms Rowling.

They, along with some bloke called Drew Davies, have severed ties because the agents refused to issue a public statement slagging off their biggest client.

Being bastions of professionalism they left by telling the guardian.

Fox and Owl are a joke
JKR is STILL the number one selling author in the charts despite attempts to cancel her
Crack on Fox and Owl

That's the best laugh I've had all day.
Should we keep Fox and Owl or JKR ?

🙄 it’s JK Rowling, I mean seriously, I can’t even. I mean combined they probably bring in like 1% of what she does.

The phrase I’m thinking of is cutting off your nose to spite your face 🤦🏽‍♀️

oh gawd, i know them.

its uncomfortable to be gc in publishing at the moment. the t is so embedded in the lgb and black lives matter, you do look like a bigot if you say anything.

my company signed a pledge about how we're gonna educate ourselves and use the right pronouns and all that.

maybe we need to form a gc group/dumbledores army. sigh

The cynic in me wonders whether this is an attempt to cash in on the free publicity they'll get. I hardly think their books are doing well on their own merits.

But also, WTF, have these idiots read 1984?

I imagine they saw it as a delightful tale imagining a utopia that they hope to learn from.

I bet they read the bit at the end about Winston loving big brother when they need cheering up.

I would laugh like a drain if they failed to get another agent.

WhatTiggersDoBest

@PurpleHoodieit's the agent, not the publisher. But I would guess it's still a legal and logistical nightmare for the author due to contracts.

Thanks WhatTiggersDoBest

So they may flounce, but still be legally tied into the agent for a set period of time, or be financially beholden to the agent.

They must have known no one would take their side in terms of the economics.

But trying to martyr yourself because people won't submit to re-education, is such an own goal. No one is going to give a shit, at best, and think they are rather sinister at worst.

I suspect they could not stay, without being piled on by trans-activists for 'guilty by association' reasons.

So they decided to try and make what little capital out of it they could.

Being entirely unable to read the room, they have just made themselves look like thwarted bullies.

Oh I just looked them up, apparently Fox and Owl are an item.
It sounds like a Winnie the Pooh sendup.
"Fox and Owl flounce after Pooh poo-poohs "re-education"."

A spokeswoman [for the agents] said it would always champion diverse voices and believe in freedom of speech for all but it was not willing to have staff “re-educated” to meet the demands of a small group of clients.

Bravo. And ouch. I suspect that's plain speaking of a kind their lost customers aren't accustomed to.

I'm so glad they used the term re-educated. I think it so obviously sinister, and a good way of highlighting the extent of the demands.

@Helmetbymidnight perhaps you could email her agency and publisher saying how impressed you are by their stance and asking about vacancies? I'd rather work for a company that recognises I'm a woman.

@Redshoeblueshoe

That's the best laugh I've had all day. Should we keep Fox and Owl or JKR ?

Adding a few more of my own.

Fox and Owl? Those well known world famous literary giants?

Tbf if I was a tiny little field mouse I’d be shitting myself.

@PurpleHoodie

How does one quit a publishing company?

Do you have to buy back your contract? ££££

In this case it's an agency, not a publishing company. It's damn hard to get an agent in the current climate, as they will find no doubt find out. The agent is the one who negotiates contracts with publishing companies. This is a top agency --- they won't care about some spoilt toddlers getting upset. Especially since they rep Rowling.

Quitting a publishing company is not so easy -- unless the books aren't selling well, in which case they'll throw the contract out behind them.

They have made some very strange films @WhatTiggersDoBest - I will see if I can find one for your amusement

@picklemewalnuts

I'm so glad they used the term re-educated. I think it so obviously sinister, and a good way of highlighting the extent of the demands.

@Helmetbymidnight perhaps you could email her agency and publisher saying how impressed you are by their stance and asking about vacancies? I'd rather work for a company that recognises I'm a woman.

That's a great idea.

And if anyone is on Twitter, maybe congratulate this agent for standing up for women and freedom of speech.

medium.com/@writers4transrights/statement-89004e8aba88

They have issued a statement, which includes this gem:

"After J. K. Rowling’s — who is also signed to the agency — public comments on transgender issues, we reached out to the agency with an invitation to reaffirm their stance to transgender rights and equality. After our talks with them, we felt that they were unable to commit to any action that we thought was appropriate and meaningful."

Reach out....I'll be there!

“Oh yes please let us dump our golden goose for you three turkeys. Buh bye” good for them.

I’m so proud of them for sticking to their beliefs and walking out. I’m sure loads of agents will be clambering over each other to sign them up. Companies are really keen to hire people who have thrown a public strop because management refused to bend to their beliefs and I’m sure agencies will be no different. I’m sure if JKR’s agents really thought it through, they would realise that it makes more sense to get shot of the client who has brought them in millions, in order to appease three clients who most people have never heard of.

Now excuse me while I go over to that corner and roar laughing. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

"Every queer person has a shared experience of someone in a more powerful position saying something that feels hurtful." Gosh, I can't even imagine what that must be like.

@CathyComesHome

Fox and Owl? Those well known world famous literary giants?

Tbf if I was a tiny little field mouse I’d be shitting myself.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

I think it's good they made a stand for what they believe in.

Oh, that's just glorious!