UK booksellers rush to stock Sally Rooney novels as her books are pulled
Sally Rooney's books are no longer being sold in the UK because she pledged her royalties to Palestine Action, a banned group, and booksellers are trying to stock up before distributors run out.
British booksellers are rushing to stock Sally Rooney's novels before distributors run out, France 24 and ABC News report. Her books are being withdrawn from sale in the UK.
Rooney and her publisher, Faber, said she can no longer receive royalties from British sales, according to The New York Times. She had pledged to donate book revenues to Palestine Action. France 24 says Faber made the statement on Wednesday. CBS News reports her books are no longer being supplied to UK retailers.
Rooney told The Guardian that her public support for the group means she cannot receive UK royalties. The Hill reports she said the ban on the group blocks her from selling books in the UK.
The British government banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, France 24 reports. It says support for the group is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group is not banned in Ireland, where Rooney lives.
Rooney wrote Normal People, Conversations With Friends and Intermezzo.
Reported by
- The GuardianSally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in the UK because of Palestine Action supportWed, Oct 14, 9:06 AM EDT
- BBC NewsSally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action supportWed, Oct 14, 12:56 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraSally Rooney’s books pulled from UK over Palestine Action supportWed, Oct 14, 3:23 PM EDT
- The New York TimesSally Rooney’s Books Pulled in U.K. Over Her Support of Pro-Palestinian GroupWed, Oct 14, 3:45 PM EDT
- The HillSally Rooney says support for Palestine Action means her books sales are blocked in UKWed, Oct 14, 6:32 PM EDT
- CBS NewsSally Rooney books off U.K. shelves over Palestine Action supportThu, Oct 15, 7:51 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraSally Rooney books withdrawn from sale in UK over Palestine Action supportThu, Oct 15, 8:53 AM EDT
- France 24Sally Rooney books cannot be sold in UK amid Palestine Action ban: publisherThu, Oct 15, 5:07 PM EDT
- France 24Sally Rooney books cannot be sold in UK amid Palestine Action ban: publisherThu, Oct 15, 5:15 PM EDT
- France 24UK bookstores scramble as Sally Rooney's novels are pulled over Palestine Action supportFri, Oct 16, 2:15 AM EDT
- ABC NewsUK bookstores scramble as Sally Rooney novels withdrawn over Palestine group supportFri, Oct 16, 2:31 AM EDT
- NPRSally Rooney's books will no longer be sold in UK after Palestinian Action supportFri, Oct 16, 7:30 AM EDT
- France 24Sally Rooney's books no longer sold in UK over support for banned pro-Palestinian groupFri, Oct 16, 12:26 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraSally Rooney can’t sell her books in UK over support for Palestine ActionFri, Oct 16, 12:54 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraSally Rooney’s books pulled from UK over Palestine Action supportSat, Oct 17, 6:50 AM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (6)
- Fri, Oct 16, 7:40 AM EDT, 9 outlets: Sally Rooney's books pulled from UK sale over Palestine Action pledge
- Fri, Oct 16, 3:01 AM EDT, 8 outlets: UK booksellers rush to stock Sally Rooney novels as distributors pull them
- Thu, Oct 15, 8:10 PM EDT, 7 outlets: Faber says Sally Rooney's books can't be sold in UK because earnings can't reach her
- Thu, Oct 15, 8:01 AM EDT, 6 outlets: Sally Rooney's books no longer supplied to UK retailers over Palestine Action support
- Thu, Oct 15, 12:01 AM EDT, 5 outlets: Sally Rooney's books pulled from sale in UK over Palestine Action support
- Wed, Oct 14, 8:01 PM EDT, 4 outlets: Sally Rooney says her books are being withdrawn from sale in the UK