British publisher Faber has stopped supplying Sally Rooney’s books to UK retailers because it says a ban on a group she supports prevents it from paying her earnings from British sales.
Faber announced the decision Oct. 14 with the Irish novelist’s agreement and said it covers every format of her books. The company said it will continue selling her work outside the United Kingdom.
Rooney said in an Aug. 16, 2025, essay that she planned to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action. The British government’s ban on the group took effect July 5, 2025. Rooney, whose novels include Normal People and Intermezzo, later said fulfilling her UK publishing contracts could constitute a serious criminal offense.
Section 15 of the Terrorism Act 2000 covers providing funds while knowing, or having reasonable cause to suspect, that they may be used for terrorism. Faber said it could not continue UK sales if it could not pay Rooney.
The Home Office said Palestine Action’s acts of serious property damage, among other activities, met the threshold for proscription. The department also said lawful protest in support of Palestinians remains permitted.
The Guardian reported that Waterstones stores could still sell Rooney books they already held. Existing stock can therefore remain on sale even though Faber has stopped supplying UK retailers.
The Bookseller reported that hundreds of authors signed a letter urging the government to lift the ban. The authors’ appeal concerns the designation Faber cited in its decision.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori has challenged the designation in court. The Court of Appeal upheld the ban in June, reversing a lower court ruling that found it unlawful. The UK Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case Nov. 4-5.
