Irish and Welsh laureates donate royalties to Sally Rooney

The children’s literature laureates for Ireland and Wales are donating their book royalties to author Sally Rooney in a demonstration of solidarity. This follows a halt on Rooney’s book sales in the United Kingdom due to her public support for Palestine Action.

Palestine Action was proscribed under the UK Terrorism Act in July last year, placing it in the same legal category as groups such as al-Qaida. Rooney stated she would channel proceeds from her titles, including ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations with Friends’, to support the group. Under UK legislation, providing funds to a proscribed entity can carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Chris Haughton, Ireland’s children’s literature laureate, described the situation as a “farce” and an “absurdity,” noting that the legal restrictions prevent an internationally acclaimed novelist from receiving earnings from her own readership. Nicola Davies, the children’s laureate for Wales, also pledged her upcoming half-year royalties to Rooney, citing her stance on the situation in Gaza.