Head here to download the candidates' statements:
societyofauthors.org/2025/09/09/m...

AFTER YOU VOTE:

🗣️ Remind at least 5 other members of the SoA to vote.
💪 Tell them why you're voting for Jen, Matt, Polly and Mohamed and why you think they can pave the way for better pay, protection against AI, refusing complicity in genocide, and freedom of speech.
🤳 Share these posts!

❗ All votes need to be received by Wednesday 22 October. We recommend posting yours by Friday 17 October if you live in the UK, earlier if you live outside the UK. If you don’t receive your voting pack by mid-September, email [email protected] to ask for another.

HOW TO VOTE:

Voting is open to anyone who has been a Full Member of the Society of Authors since May 1.

🗳️ Ballot papers will be sent to you in the post.
✉️ You can only vote by post.
💰 Your voting pack will include a pre-paid envelope.

Mohamed Tonsy is is an Egyptian writer and bookseller based in Edinburgh. His debut novel was developed through Maslaha’s MFest Short Story Competition. He has been active in literary networks, including the Scottish BPOC Writers Network.

Polly Atkin is a poet, nonfiction writer, editor, and bookseller based in Cumbria. Her writing includes biography, memoirs, and nature writing, and she has been active in the literary and academic worlds for more than two decades. She also co-owns a long-established independent bookshop.

Matt Abbott is a poet, lyricist, and educator whose work combines literature with social engagement. He began performing poetry in 2006 and has been a full-time poet since 2013, publishing collections, contributing to anthologies, and writing commissioned work for organisations and campaigns.

Jen Calleja is is an author, translator, and publisher. She has published seven books of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and has translated around 20 books from German into English for both large and small publishers.

If you decide to withdraw from a festival, contact us - we'll make sure you have access to our mutual aid fund.

If you decide to continue with a planned event but would like to take an action at the festival, email us for support.

Join us to build the books industry we all deserve!

The ADCL guide is here: www.clairewade.com/uploads/1/2/...

The link to what’s meant by ‘normalisation’ is here: www.bdsmovement.net/news/bds-mov...

We encourage solidarity between the many communities that make up the books industry.

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Ahead of the summer book festival season, and in response to rapidly changing situations, we are sharing guidance and updates on engaging with these literary spaces and the wider books industry.

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Write to your MP now: freealaa.net/message-mp

If you’re an LGBTQ+ bookworker - organise with us.

By building our collective power as workers, we can transfer power away from those in charge and into the hands of those working to make our industry better and safer for all.

DM or email us at [email protected] to get involved.

Our response to fascist policies which seek to erode our rights and divide society needs to be one of collective solidarity and action.

Attending literary festivals this year? Then write to them asking they affirm the safety and dignity of trans guests and audiences.

If you’re a member of the SoA, demand that they release both a statement of solidarity and practical guidance to support trans authors, translators and illustrators.

Write to your union representatives and leaders, asking that they support their trans workers and publicly oppose the implementation of the EHRC’s interim guidance.