In 2023, the SoA staff and board of directors (Management Committee) conducted an extensive review of our communications approach – specifically what we comment on and how we comment. The policies summarised on this page form the result of that review.
They amend and supersede past policy, and our practice in some areas may be different from what we have done in the past.
We try to ensure that we comment only on issues that are within our mission, and where we are informed and can make a difference. We do not comment on areas outside our remit in order to protect the right to freedom of expression of individual members.
You can download the full policies at the bottom of this page.
How we decide when to comment or share
We are regularly asked to comment publicly or release a statement about our position on a broad range of subjects. We are also regularly asked or might wish to share third-party information on behalf of other organisations or individuals. Deciding when and how to comment or share information publicly is not always obvious.
When assessing any opportunity or request to comment publicly, release a statement or share information, we consider several factors including, but not limited to:
- Mission: how does the issue or challenge fit with our mission of empowering authors?
- Knowledge and influence: do we know enough to comment, and will a comment or statement from us can influence the issue or challenge?
- Impact: what is the likely impact or outcome of a public statement?
- Representation: will SoA members be broadly in agreement on the issue or challenge, and with the wording of any statement?
- Opportunity: will SoA members benefit from a statement raising awareness of an issue?
- Focus: would it be better to intervene privately and directly on behalf of a member?
- Remit: is another organisation or individual better placed to comment, or would a statement have greater impact if made in partnership with other organisations?
- Capacity: how much staff capacity can we spare and how much would that take away from the SoA’s core work?
- Timing: can we respond in a meaningful timeframe?
- Risks: will a statement or comment risk making a situation worse or provoke hate? We also need to consider any legal and reputational risks of releasing a statement or comment.
- Impact on members: will our comment threaten our members’ rights to comment freely on an issue?
- Reputation or endorsement: will a statement from the SoA unintentionally endorse an opinion, product or service?
- Precedent: will releasing a seemingly uncontentious statement or comment in one case create an expectation that we would comment on all such cases in the future?
In practice, our immediate response to any request to comment or share may be ‘it depends’.
We consider all requests thoughtfully and will always enter into private dialogue and provide a clear and reasoned explanation of our decision-making process and position to any member who asks us.
We will not engage in public debate on our reasons for responding – or not – on any issue.
When we comment
Our mission is to empower professional authors and their estates with knowledge, support and community, and to lobby industry and government for an environment that helps sustain and nurture the careers of authors and their work.
As a not-for-profit organisation with limited resources, we need to focus our actions where we can make a positive difference.
- Most of our communications focus on SoA-related activities – from prizes and resources to policy and events.
- We represent the collective interests of our members, so in our advocacy and campaigning we speak out on issues that affect the rights and interests of authors, where there is likely to be majority consensus from within the membership.
- We support individual members in confidence, not in the public domain.
- We are sometimes invited to comment publicly on issues of a more general political nature, or not directly or primarily related to authors – however, we do not comment on areas outside our core remit.
- Where appropriate, we might publicly support the statements of specialist organisations where they aligns with SoA values – for instance, we have often supported English PEN’s work on freedom of expression.
When we share
We often share information about third-party activities and offers. However, we are under no obligation to share everything we are asked to, even when the request comes from a close strategic partner.
Requests range from sharing information about partners’ campaigns and events, to sharing author-related news stories in the trade and national press, or information sent to us from members. Sometimes we see information that looks like it might be of use to members. Sometimes we are asked to share the information by individuals and organisations.
When it comes to specific requests, the organisations asking us to share might be coming from a perspective of common purpose (for instance, the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society or the Royal Society of Literature asking us to share their campaigns), but it could as easily be an organisation that simply wants access to sell to our members.
When considering whether to share third-party information, we will assess whether the request:
- Aligns with the SoA’s mission and values.
- Helps the SoA to progress its strategic priorities.
- Directly benefits SoA members.
- Fits with SoA schedules and does not clash with or detract from planned activities.
- Is presented with full information that is transparent, up-to-date and comprehensive.
We do not usually share links to paid-for services provided by others nor to work by our own members (except for paid ads in The Author). On request, we might be able to signpost members to directories of service providers held independently online.
We are keen to maintain a reputation for independence and to avoid favouring particular members. For this reason, we do not share members’ news. However, if someone publishes a post in support for the SoA or something that supports or aligns with our position, then we might like or share what they have said on social media.
Any third-party information that we share is for general information purposes only.
Who speaks for the SoA?
We invite many people to comment publicly on behalf of the SoA to support or explain our work.
They include members of staff, members of the Management Committee, SoA Fellows, and others. They may comment publicly for us in our communications and in the media, and sometimes on their personal channels.
However, it is important to note that they are only speaking on behalf of the SoA when:
- They have been fully briefed by the SoA.
- What they say has been first published via authorised SoA communications channels or in our comments to the media.
- It is explicit in the communication that they are speaking on the behalf of the SoA.
In all other circumstances, the individual is commenting in a personal capacity.
We strongly advise staff and volunteer officeholders to use a disclaimer on all their personal channels – including their social media accounts and websites – to make clear that unless they state otherwise their comments are made in a personal capacity.
The SoA does not police the internet and has no desire to restrict individuals’ use of online platforms or free expression in a personal capacity.
Freedom of expression
SoA membership includes authors from every background, working at every career stage, in every genre, who between them are driven by a full spectrum of experience and opinion. We support all members in their business as authors, regardless of what they believe or create as long as it is lawful. Our approach to protecting freedom of expression and preventing harassment and threats is as follows:
- We support the Book and Publishing Industry’s Professional Values.
- We support the right of all authors to hold and express opinions.
- We condemn violence and the threat of violence unequivocally.
- We condemn any kind of racist or hate speech.
- We request professional behaviour from SoA members when interacting with the SoA and others on SoA business. If SoA service users are concerned about any member’s behaviour in relation to SoA business activities, they can complain under our Dignity and Respect Policy.
- We do not get involved in individual debates or disputes between authors outside of SoA business activities.
- We do not speak out publicly on individual cases, unless we choose to do so in cases where there is a principle that will affect all authors and we have permission to reference that individual case.
- We deplore bullying, trolling and personal attacks on authors. We publish guidance on dealing with online abuse, harassment and bullying.
On request from members who are targeted, we will always, where appropriate, provide private, individual support and guidance – both emotional and practical – including correspondence with publishers.
Further reading
Download the full policies below.
