Tanitha's Cosmic Musings

We all have favourite books and favourite authors. What happens when you discover, mostly through the news, or through their own words, that one (or more) of your favourite authors has or is doing some really awful deeds, which cannot be excused, no matter what? Personally, I cannot read those authors unless they are dead, and sometimes not even then. It always depends on their deeds; I do have some hard lines and some actions are completely inexcusable.

One of the authors I wanted to read but never have, and with what I now know, never will, is Marion Zimmer Bradley. I know that she is dead, but what she did, to her own children is absolutely disgusting, and inexcusable. Sexually assaulting her children and any child is inexcusable behaviour. No matter who you are, if you sexually assault anyone, let alone children, is one of my red lines. Needless to say, I will never ever read any book by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Speaking of sexual assault, we have the current news of David Walliams being dropped by his publishers for sexual harassment (not sure if it has gone further at this point, but would not be surprised). And from what the articles and news say, this was known for some time, but hey, he is a white straight male… I read one book from David Walliams and I enjoyed it. I wanted to read more, but after what has come out, I will not be getting any books of his. And I am glad that I do not have that book because it was a library book.

The one author that personally hurt a lot, when the news came out, is Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman was one of my favourite authors, and he seemed to be genuinely someone who cared about trans people, women, etc. But behind doors, he turned out to have sexually assaulted women. The article that came out this summer, described actions that were despicable. And the worst of all, is that his wife, not only knew, but encouraged his behaviour and brought women to him. I had a couple of his books lined up to read. After everything that we learned, I cannot read his books and not think of his actions. So, no, I will never read another book by Neil Gaiman.

Lastly, we have another author that I liked, but turns out that she is one of the most transphobic persons ever to walk the earth. The arch-TERF herself, J.K. Rowling. I will never read another book of hers, I will never give money to buy anything realted to HP or anything else she does. I loved the HP books when they came out. I liked her Cormoran Strike books, which she writes under a male pen name, Robert Galbraith. She is not only transphobic, but she is campaigning and giving money to actively hurt trans people. So, no, I will not buy any of her books, I will not read them through the library, I will not buy any HP merchandise, I will not watch the new series or any of the old movies ever again.

Please do not come to me with “Yes, but”. The above authors’ actions are reprehensible, disgusting and vile. There is no excuse for any of the above actions, for actions that have and continue to hurt actual people. I cannot change what happened, but I can stop supporting problematic authors. And I hope so will you.