I find it interesting that there has become such an onus on writers to declare their views on the transgender debate. Obviously this is due to Jo Rowling's very public stance - and whether you agree with her or not, she has shown the most extraordinary degree of moral courage.
But my stories (I write for children as well as adults) don't include any sort of transgender references. I hope that I promote values of empathy, generosity, curiosity, moral and physical courage, but I don't try to direct opinions in a political direction on any topic. I have never been asked to state my views on Brexit, Covid vaccinations, gay marriage. I have strong feelings about lots of things, but they stay within the realm of my private life.
Aside from politicians, we haven't asked any other professions to nail their colours to the mast on this issue. What about nurses, teachers, lawyers, social workers, farmers, insurance brokers? Would you check your plumber's opinion before letting her into your house to fix your leaking pipe?
As for this letter, the fact that it has been mentioned on other websites doesn't lend it any more credibility. We still don't know its source, or the mechanics by which "writers" were invited to add their names. We are trying to raise our children to be independent thinkers, to pause before believing everything they read online, to resist peer pressure. We should lead by example, shouldn't we?
I'm not trying to dismiss the significance of the central issue, or the strength of feelings around it. But if we start burning books because a name has appeared on an unsubstantiated list, isn't that taking us straight back to 1950s McCarthyism? Judge my books as much as you like, they don't appeal to everyone and nor should they, because all art is subjective. But I'm not going to put my name on any lists to win approval from baying online hordes.