The battle against book bans

The US publishing industry has faced a series of setbacks as government bans on books continue to rise. Publishing houses are taking steps to protect and restore their public image as book bans threaten to negatively affect their reputations. PEN America, a non-profit organisation that advocates for free expression, particularly for writers and journalists, has documented nearly 23,000 banned books nationwide since 2021, and recent figures suggest the number of bans is increasing.

Publishing companies find themselves under pressure from national and local conservative groups, such as Moms for Liberty and No Left Turn in Education, which are attempting to control what books are published and marketed through the destruction of books and the creation of stricter censorship laws. Book bans occur when individuals or organisations decide what is deemed fit to appear on shelves, often pushing to ban books on the basis of ‘inappropriate’ content for addressing certain themes or ideas.

The books being targeted vary widely, ranging from Anne Frank’s autobiographical work ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ to the fiction novel ‘Two Boys Kissing’ by David Levithan. States such as Florida and Texas, for instance, have experienced more banned books than any others, with thousands of titles affected in recent school years.

“By opposing censorship and attracting media attention, publishing houses are positioned as defenders of free speech”

In response to these challenges to their business and values, publishing houses have launched campaigns to maintain public support and confidence during a difficult time for the industry. Dan Novack, vice-president and associate general counsel of Penguin Random House, highlighted the scale of the bans and the company’s multiple efforts to combat the issue.

As part of these efforts, Penguin Random House created ‘The Banned Wagon’, a van stocked with banned books that travels across the US distributing them to attendees. The campaign not only supports accessible literature and freedom of speech, but also promotes the company’s mission to defend free expression for readers and authors. Speaking about the initiative, Novack said: “It’s this beautiful truck that delivers books, and there’s a QR code on the side. You go on your phone and access it, and it results in a donation of a banned book somewhere to a young person in need of literature. So that’s an awareness-raising thing that we’re doing.”

This initiative has led many people to learn not only about the company, but also what it stands for and its role in the wider battle against censorship and book bans. Penguin Random House is also seeking other ways to communicate the current state of the publishing industry by amplifying the voices of communities most affected by these bans and encouraging public support.

“I think that’s the most effective tool. We don’t need a New York publisher coming in and telling people what to read or not. It’s never been our role. We just make the books and the people decide. So, when there’s someone on the ground fighting for access, they’re someone we want to lend our megaphone to,” Novack said.

Some companies have also taken a legal approach. Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers and Simon & Schuster have all filed lawsuits against individual institutions enforcing book bans. Explaining why companies resort to legal action, Novack said: “When you file a lawsuit, you’re at the very end of the chain. Somebody’s already decided they’re worked up over a book or other material because it has something they find objectionable. It could be sex, profanity, sexuality, or depictions of racism or injustice.

“‘At heart, I think Americans really don’t like interference with free speech, regardless of where it comes from. A writer who says, ‘I wrote it because I wanted to,’ is hard to argue with’”

“They’ve prevailed upon their school board to create a policy that removes books. You’re at the end of the chain — they already did the thing — and all you can do is sue them to undo it.”

Some have questioned whether the increased attention surrounding book bans — which target the core product of publishing houses — may in fact benefit their business and reputation. By opposing censorship and attracting media attention, publishing houses are positioned as defenders of free speech.

When asked whether campaigning against book bans has improved Penguin Random House’s image, Novack commented: “We are definitely seeing a lot of engagement. Publishing is always a challenge because we encompass so many individual brands. But I’ve found that we’ve made many strong connections that wouldn’t otherwise have happened, because this becomes an entry point for people to engage with us as an organisation rather than through a single book.”

George Saunders, author of ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ and ‘Tenth of December’, offered an author’s perspective, sharing Novack’s view on the potential effects of book bans on the industry and writers. “My guess is they’ve been good for the publishing industry, because people can feel the fear in these bans, which means the works have power.

“They haven’t directly affected me yet, and, as Margaret Atwood said recently, the people who want to ban books often just direct more attention to them, causing more copies to be sold.”

However, Saunders also spoke openly about the harmful intentions behind book banning and the broader risks it poses. While acknowledging the increased exposure, he described the principle of banning books and controlling thought as “odious”. He added: “The way it’s supposed to work here in America is per the old dictum, ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’ This puts pressure on people to learn how to debate ideas.”

“What began as a wave of localised challenges has now become a reputational and legal battleground for the publishing industry”

Authors whose work is most affected by these laws often lack the resources available to major publishing houses. When asked what authors can do to protect and advocate for their work, Saunders said: “The best way I know to fight them is to keep writing what you want to write, with elan and a sense of humour, and dare the book banners to give it a try.

“At heart, I think Americans really don’t like interference with free speech, regardless of where it comes from. A writer who says, ‘I wrote it because I wanted to,’ is hard to argue with,” he continued. “The challenge becomes being able to articulate precisely and persuasively why you oppose something. Ideas are powerful, words are powerful — even dangerous — but intelligent ideas and words can be used to push back against noxious ones. That’s an acquired skill.”

A new generation is learning to do just that. Students hoping to work in publishing and who believe deeply in the written word are viewing recent bans from a different perspective. Bralyn Louise, a student at Syracuse University, shared how students are experiencing the issue.

Louise explained that these bans threaten the accessibility of the field. “Recent censorship laws have made the publishing industry feel like a more uncertain and destabilised career path for students like me. There’s no way of knowing how far these ill-intended policies will go, and it can feel as though the career we love is being put at risk.”

Like Novack and Saunders, Louise has seen a rise in awareness around book bans, much of which she attributes to student-led campaigns. “We’re starting to see a shift where students are becoming more involved in politics and public life.

“Hosting events as ‘small’ as banned-book read-alouds or information sessions explaining how book bans work — as I’ve done through my own organisation and others on campus — can help spread awareness and build support for the right to read.”

What began as a wave of localised challenges has now become a reputational and legal battleground for the publishing industry. In light of these challenges, publishing companies are taking initiative, and Louise emphasised that students are noticing these efforts. “We’re seeing publishing houses create entirely new roles dedicated to protecting the industry, authors and readers, and that gives us hope.”

Educators and institutions, according to Louise, feel the same urgency to push back against censorship. She noted that many understand the threat these policies pose to literature and are advocating for students’ rights to read freely. Louise also highlighted the contrast between different education systems. “Most of my professors at Syracuse University continue to assign diverse reading lists that seem untouched by book bans. However, in my hometown in Florida, bans have had a major impact on what books are available to students.

“We’re seeing direct attacks on books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters and themes, as well as those reflecting lived experiences outside the heteronormative norm.”

According to Louise, some institutions are actively fostering discussion around the issue. “At Syracuse University, book bans are openly discussed. As a creative writing major, I may be more exposed to these conversations, but whether I’m in class, at book club meetings or attending library events, there’s always space to address the damaging policies threatening our right to read.”

While acknowledging that not all schools have reached this point, Louise expressed gratitude that Syracuse University provides space for dialogue. In the face of censorship, these collective efforts offer hope that the publishing industry’s mission — to share empowering stories and voices — will endure.