SCBWI Joins the Offense Against Book Bans: WE ARE STRONGER THAN CENSORSHIP

Check out the logo -
the "O" of Censorship is a 'do not enter' sign opening up into a book being read!

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to put the brakes on the runaway train of book banning?

Efforts to restrict the availability of books featuring Black, Queer, and other under-represented characters, themes, and history are at an all-time high. What isn’t widely known about book bans is the impact of the chilling effect, where librarians and teachers have to worry about bringing in any diverse titles even when they know the books would help their students/patrons. 

In turn, the chilling effect disproportionally impacts independent presses, many of whom are mission driven and focus on publishing voices from the very communities who are targeted by the current politically motivated runaway train of book banning. The drop in sales to schools and libraries for many of these publishers has been significant, and this impacts authors both financially and emotionally. Most of all, book banning hurts kids – further marginalizing those with less privilege, access, and representation.

In response to all this, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and EveryLibrary Institute have teamed up to spread light and inclusive books to readers in communities across the US impacted by the chilling effect of book bans. For every book banned or challenged between September 1 and September 30, 2024, WE ARE STRONGER THAN CENSORSHIP will buy two or more books from independent publishers and donate them via regional freedom to read organizations and national partners  – turning negativity and fear into positivity and love... in the form of books! 

SCBWI has partnered with WE ARE STRONGER THAN CENSORSHIP to help both spread the word and connect the program to local organizations that are looking to give diverse books directly to families who can't afford them otherwise.

You can help! 

Every $16 donated buys two books to offset one book challenge.

Some of the many merch options -
each includes a $16 donation to buy two books to offset one book challenge!

And if you buy a STRONG LIKE AN AUTHOR, STRONG LIKE AN ILLUSTRATOR, STRONG LIKE A TRANSLATOR, STRONG LIKE A READER T-shirt or other merch, each purchase includes a $16 donation to buy two books to offset one book challenge.

You can learn more about how the WE ARE STRONGER THAN CENSORSHIP program works here.

And there are lots more ways to help - many of them free - here.

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee