Looks like Joanne Harris is facing a vote

[Imnobody4]

Joanne Harris is facing a vote by Society of Authors members on whether she should stand down as chair alongside demands for a review of how the organisation protects free speech.

Read here: t.co/rxchlOKHku t.co/FaeROzAVoG
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There’s a lot of whining about JKR inciting pile ons due to her 14M followers - but then, don’t potentially defame her then?

Right - responding on Twitter to a Twitter defamation is the restrained and proportionate response.

It's what anyone would do as a first resort.

So defaming someone with 14M followers is rather on you - you can't argue that "you can't respond to me because you've got too many followers."

The next alternative if she can't handle a Twitter response is the lawyer response. Is that what she wants?

I think a lot of JKR’s detractors enjoy it, rather than are actually upset by it, like they want to goad her so they can have some gloriously self righteous hate. It’s like a raison d’être. I have no idea how she keeps any semblance of patience with it.

From what I have seen of JKR's detractors they seem quite happy to play the victim whilst at the same time enjoying the publicity from it.

I'm assuming Harris can summon enough flying monkeys and minions to win the vote, but would be delighted to be proved wrong.

I’d be surprised if she isn’t elected, I think if you weren’t following this in general or not on Twitter it might bypass you?

This has made the national newspapers though, so she's damaged more at least. She shouldn't be in this position given how partisan she is.

I'm guessing a lot of writers aren't eligible to vote after leaving the SoA in disgust at Harris' behaviour. So I'm expecting her to win it, tbh.

Is anyone else still following this on Twitter? While I'm more inclined to the JKR side of this debate and, for want of a better term, GC in my views - I'm starting to feel annoyed with both sides. They're coming across as both as bad as each other in the bickering on Twitter side. I think regardless of people's views, writers are going to be put off joining the SOA in future at all?

Well I’ve left already and won’t be rejoining unless the situation improves.

Sorry, I’ve not been watching on Twitter as I’ve left and accessing it via safari is frustrating as I can’t see entire threads.

Can you give some example where JK (I presume) has annoyed you? I noticed a while back that she was getting less polite, which I thought was completely understandable, but rather a shame, given that before that she had been so utterly reasonable that anyone criticizing her would inevitably look like an idiot to anyone who went and looked.

Sorry, I wasn’t referring to JK, more the people that have raised the AGM motions in general and how they’re presenting themselves on Twitter. While I’m not a fan of JH’s conduct by far, I’m starting to think they’re all looking bad at this point. I worry that the people who could vote for the motions have potentially just left instead anyway. I wonder if they have a net loss or gain in numbers over this.

I agree with you re JK too - she’s come across as more ‘gloves off’ recently which I can understand, but yes, unfortunately looks less saintly (not that I think she should have to be!)

Sorry, am struggling to follow this, and the articles aren't helping. Did Joanne Harris post something mean about Salman Rushdie in the wake of the attack on him ? What's it all got to do with the trans debate ? Is JKR directly implicated? And where does Phillip Pullman fit in?
Sorry to be so clueless!

Sorry, I wasn’t referring to JK, more the people that have raised the AGM motions in general and how they’re presenting themselves on Twitter.

Thanks. Julie Bindel has always been very outspoken and holds some (in my opinion) very robust, rather purist views, so it’s no surprise to me that you feel both sides are now being somewhat unreasonable.

The SoA seems to have changed somewhat. It used to have fairly strict criteria for being a member (published book from a reputable house, etc), but has recently opened up to 'aspiring authors' - i.e. basically anyone.

There's a parallel with the pre-Corbyn Labour Party there.

It's self ID for authors, I suppose ... the fact is they make money from their members.

I used to really admire her. I love her books. How disappointing.

I've left too, and did wonder about re-joining to vote, but it's pricey and I've never had any benefit from membership (I've been lucky enough not to have contract irregularities or need any help my agent couldn't provide.) I didn't want to pay over £100 to an organisation in which I think the rot is set too deep to salvage.

I suspect Joanne Harris will win and she and the vocal Publishing Puritans will gloat on Twitter about defeating the evil transphobes and how good always triumphs etc etc. Meanwhile, in the real world Mermaids are crumbling, Maya and Allison were vindicated in court, the Cass report is shining a spotlight into safeguarding black holes, Stonewall are being exposed as a clownshow and the vast majority of authors I know well enough to be honest with are well aware that these are seventeenth century values repackaged for the social media age.

If Twitter is the public square, it's currently in the era of occupation and everyone knows you can't speak freely there. But those conversations are still happening in real life, and Joanne Harris and her ilk are foolish if they mistake lack of public challenge with agreement. She might win this election, but she'll be left at the helm of a discredited organisation with a declining membership, crowing about it on a platform that people are abandoning in droves.

Yep, WinterTrees. Most people don't say anything. They're more likely to just quietly leave.

There is the Writer's Guild, I believe - no idea what it's like but maybe worht looking into.

I could echo wintertrees post word for word - often thought about joining the SoA, never needed to, now never will. And also that most of my friends in the industry (many of whom have had to negotiate maternity leaves, unequal pay, lack of promotion - the less brave and stunning aspects of being a woman in publishing) also quietly think this is madness, and have disengaged from Twitter entirely.

Joanne Harris was I think re-elected as chair unanimously.

Sunny Singh, who was up for the committee and who is, shall we say, robust on Twitter, did not get in.

I understand the impetus but I think the challenge to JH should have been better thought through. It's obvious that if all your detractors have left the organisation (I have) then your supporters will outnumber them.

I think JH has been a terrible chair but I actually agree that some of the rhetoric on twitter is a bit overblown. The problem with SoA isn't just down to JH. It's the same problem facing all kinds of institutions which have run up against wokeness.

I'd encourage writers to join the Free Speech Union instead. They won't give you advice on your publishing contracts but they will defend your right to write whatever the fuck you like in your book.

It is all so worrying. I’m just getting my first novel ready to go out to query with agents and I’m really starting to worry that as a GC middle aged woman I stand no chance.

I agree @beastlyslumber i completely get why people rage organised it but I think it was always doomed to fail.

Its a marathon not a sprint - have to get all your ducks in a row & position your pieces before going for it

JH is still a fucking awful chair though

Yes, I follow accounts with both views on Twitter but if I were to go out on submission would wonder if I needed to unfollow anyone connected with the GC views I have. I know I would be stupid to like any related comments.

At this point, both sides are not looking good, but only one is a chair of a organisation that should be neutral.