War of words as author Joanne Harris boycotts literary festival

Harris, who wrote the popular novel Chocolat in 1999, tweeted: “For the first time in my life, and with the utmost regret, I’m pulling out of a festival because of the terms of their contract.”

She said the festival had demanded a six-week exclusivity clause around her holding any other events in the area, had requested unrestricted filming of her attendance, and wanted her to provide five free copies of the book.

The Barnsley-born writer added: “All this for the princely sum of 50 quid. No thanks.”

In another tongue-in-cheek tweet, using the hashtag #UpdateAFairyTale, she added: “The piper expected a fee. The festival wouldn’t pay. He left the town swarming with rats, and said: ‘Enjoy the exposure.’”

Speaking to The Bookseller, the 51-year-old said she was reluctant to disclose the name of the festival, which will take place in July, because she did not want to single it out for a “hate fest” when the problem is endemic.

She called on the Society of Authors to draw up an industry standard contract to prevent “unreasonable” demands.

Harris said: “The contract terms are unreasonable. I spoke to my PR at my publisher’s about it and she said there were lots of these contracts around.

“The exclusivity element is becoming a massive issue because it makes doing a book tour practically impossible and festivals are also asking authors to give permission to be filmed and recorded - with some of the festivals charging for downloads of the film and podcasts.”

She continued: “The festivals often also send the contract through really late after you have already agreed to appear and it has announced you are appearing, making it hard for authors not to agree to the terms.”

She said she wanted to look out for young or lesser-known authors who simply could not afford to attend for free.

“I am speaking out because someone needs to take a stance where others might feel they can’t,” she said.

“Somewhere along the line it has become accepted that authors don’t get paid for this type of thing. We need to send the message out that art isn’t free, that art has a worth and needs to be paid for.”

The Society of Authors has guidelines for literary festivals, addressing payment and expenses, arrangements and books sales.

Nicola Solomon, CEO of the Society, said: “We do not advocate a standard contract but we do urge all festivals to follow our guidelines.

“Like Joanne, we have seen a number of festivals which try to impose an exclusivity period on authors.

“This strikes us as most unfair and singularly inappropriate, particularly when authors are paid so little for festivals. We will be adding this to our guidelines when we revise them later in the year.”