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FAQs on publishing and more.
Member only guide to the Australian book industry.
The ASA supports freedom of expression as a fundamental right. Authors should be free to express their ideas and opinions,within the reasonable limits set by the law.
Writers and illustrators are critically important, especially in our most difficult times. They shed light, provide nuance and build empathy. It is through artistic expression that we understand ourselves and our stories, overcome prejudices, and critically reflect on our society.
Yet, increasingly, authors and illustrators are facing professional repercussions for expressing their views in public or in their art. Creators have reported lost income from events, apprehension about rising discrimination, and a pressure to self-censor. These pressures are exacerbated by the expectations upon authors and illustrators to maintain a public profile, and the financial precarity they already face.
It is vital that professional opportunities are independent from political interference. Our institutions should be courageous champions of Australia’s creators and defenders against artistic censorship, and the work of artists, writers, and illustrators should be valued and treated with respect.
Understand your rights under the law. For introductory information see the Australian Human Rights Commission resource on Freedom of Information, Opinion and Expression, and the Attorney-General’s Department guidance on the right to freedom of expression and opinion in Australia.
Be alert to clauses in contracts for festivals, events, or other engagements, that are unclear or restrictive, including unreasonable codes of conduct. If you are unsure, ask questions and seek advice from the ASA.
If you’re facing professional repercussions for expressing your views in public or in your work, seek advice. You can contact the ASA via our free Member Advice Service, or submit a query to Authors Legal. Alternatively, you can seek legal advice from arts community legal centre, ArtsLaw.
Join the ASA or make a donation. Membership fees and donations directly support the ASA to lobby and campaign for the rights and professional interests of authors and illustrators.
