Literary agents drop YA authors

NEW YORK — A literary agent has dropped Maze Runner author James Dashner, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct.

Michael W. Bourret said that “under the circumstances” he could no longer represent Dashner.

“I couldn’t in good conscience continue working with James, and I let him go yesterday,” Bourret said.

A comments’ thread on the website of School Library Journal includes allegations about Dashner, Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher and other popular writers for young people. Earlier this week, the head of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators said Asher had been expelled. A spokeswoman for Asher disputes whether he was kicked out, but confirmed Wednesday that his agent had dropped him.

“Mr. Asher is no longer working with the Andrea Brown agency,” Tammy Taylor wrote in an email. “He respects and understands their position, given the current climate.”

The allegations have led to an anguished discussion on social media among writers and readers in the children’s book community. Princess Diaries novelist Meg Cabot tweeted that she was “saddened and angered that this sort of behaviour has gone on for so long. It should not and WILL NOT.”

Laurie Halse Anderson, author of the acclaimed Speak, tweeted to male allies that when women “see predators mouthing the same sentiments or RTing #MeToo posts, we become even more wary.” Ally Condie, who wrote the million-selling Matched, tweeted “I wish publishing were immune from the toxicity, but it is decidedly not.”

Dashner’s publisher, Random House, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Maze Runner, a million-selling dystopian science fiction series, is also the basis of a lucrative film franchise. The most recent release, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, came out last month.