The Cowardly Publishing World Betrayed Kate Clanchy
Has the publishing industry finally begun to change its tone? There may be some hope that this sector, once heavily influenced by woke critics and identity politics, is shifting toward a freer and more reasonable cultural outlook.
This shift offers little comfort to Kate Clanchy, whose experience with cancel culture was especially harsh and undeserved.
Kate Clanchy's Cancellation
Kate Clanchy, a celebrated author, was harshly canceled in 2021 during the post-Black Lives Matter backlash. Her memoir, Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, which recounted her experience teaching at an Oxford comprehensive school, was labeled racist. Her publisher, following the trend at the time, abandoned her.
In 2022, Clanchy parted ways with Picador, her publisher of twenty years.
Apology from Pan Macmillan
Following a BBC Radio 4 series investigating the damage to Clanchy's reputation, Pan Macmillan—of which Picador is an imprint—issued a formal apology. The publisher described the cancellation as a “regrettable series of events in Pan Macmillan’s past.”
“I’m sorry for the hurt that was caused to Kate Clanchy,” said Pan Macmillan CEO Joanna Prior.
Better late than never, but this apology is unlikely to fully repair the damage of Clanchy's unjust experience.
Author's summary: The apology from Clanchy's publisher highlights a promising shift in publishing culture but offers limited solace for the lasting harm caused by her wrongful cancellation.