New Coalition Against Book Bans Launches Nationwide With Support From Authors Like Judy Blume and Julia Quinn

A nationwide coalition against banning books has been launched with over 1,500 members, including New York Times bestselling authors Judy Blume and Julia Quinn. 

The organization, called Authors Against Book Bans, aims to "organize authors on the national and local levels to support grassroots groups already fighting book bans and challenges around the United States."

Members of the organization include writers, illustrators and creators across genres.

In addition to Blume and Quinn, respectively known for their books Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and the hit Bridgerton series, members include V.E. Schwab, Elizabeth Acevedo, Alexander Chee, Dhonielle Clayton, Oghenechovwe Ekpeki, Lev Grossman, Daniel Handler, Maia Kobabe, Emily St. John Mandel, Kate Spencer, Emma Straub and Raina Telgemeier. 

AABB partners with other organizations across the United States that advocate against book bans and related challenges.

Author and AABB national leadership team member Maggie Tokuda-Hall said in the press release obtained by PEOPLE, "We know that book bans are rising exponentially across the country. From Idaho and Utah to California and New York City, challenges are specifically targeting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors."

Hall continued, "The censorship of these books sends a devastating and unacceptable message to members of these communities. Every reader deserves to see themselves and their families in the books in schools and libraries."

LGBTQ+ novelist David Levithan, also a member of the national leadership team, further emphasized the importance of the coalition. "Authors know the power of books," he said. "We know that the freedom to read and to choose books for ourselves and our families is essential to ensuring that our communities thrive."

The organization works to help authors get involved in local efforts; provide legislative advocacy against book bans and calls to action for members; and support educators, parents, students and authors who stand against censorship.

Book bans have skyrocketed over the last few years. On Tuesday, June 25, a new regulation went into place for South Carolina schools that restricts materials containing any "descriptions or visual depictions” of “sexual conduct" in public schools, according to CBS-affiliate WLTX.

The regulation was criticized for its vagueness, which could potentially lead to the banning of many age-appropriate books. American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina executive director Jace Woodrum said in a statement obtained by the outlet, "By crafting and promoting a broad new book-banning policy, Superintendent Ellen Weaver has handed a blunt instrument to her ideological allies in the pro-censorship lobby. We still believe in academic freedom and will fight tooth and nail alongside teachers, librarians, students and parents against the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation in public schools and libraries."

Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that a Florida school district banned a 2017 book that advocates against book bans. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In September 2023, 175 Hollywood creatives – including Ariana Grande, Gabrielle Union and Guillermo del Toro – signed an open letter denouncing the recent rise in book bans at schools across the nation.

The letter, backed by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton and MoveOn Political Action organization, called out the "restrictive behavior" and "chilling effect" book bans have "on the broader creative field" and how they are "antithetical to free speech and expression," per The Hollywood Reporter.

To learn more about Authors Against Book Bans, visit AuthorsAgainstBookBans.com.