“It is more vital than ever that we speak out for authors.”

2020 was a year of reaction, of coping, but it has also been a year of reflection that has helped focus our agenda for 2021.

We have witnessed the importance of writers this year. Where did people turn when lockdown began? To books and stories, to written, spoken, illustrated and performed words, to Netflix boxsets and computer games.

A few weeks demonstrated what the SoA has been saying since 1884: writing and writers are vital.

We also saw the precariousness of creative careers, and the lack of statutory support available. Too many authors faced financial crisis after cancelled school visits and appearances, delayed publications, and the closure of bookshops, libraries and theatres.

In 2021, it is more vital than ever that we speak out for authors, in Government and across industry. As we leave the EU, we need to make sure you can still share work beyond our borders, with your rights in your work protected both at home and overseas.

As the fallout from the health crisis progresses, we will continue to lobby Government with our Six-Point Plan for Authors, focused on statutory support, better resources in schools, and protecting

– not overlooking – the UK’s cultural landscape.

We’ll lobby industry for transparency in contracts, in royalties, in how you are credited, and your work exploited – the recent exposure of Audible’s opaque practices on refunds is a perfect example of why this is so important.

In 2020 we saw so much evidence of the impact of inequality across the creative industries – through numerous reports and personal testimonies. Opportunity and representation are not equal here. There is so much more to do in 2021, across industry and across the author community.