J.K. Rowling is experiencing lagging book sales following controversial anti-trans comments on her Twitter and personal website. The author is best known for writing the massively successful a series of statements in June 2020.
The most recent controversy began with a tweet in which Rowling criticized an opinion piece that used the phrase "people who menstruate." After Twitter s quickly pointed out that "people who menstruate" is the most inclusive term available, Rowling wrote a thread doubling down on her stance, writing, "It isn't hate to speak the truth." Rowling was subject to further criticism from fans and advocates alike, including the LGBT+ rights organization GLAAD, wrote tweeted "JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts the facts about gender identity and people who are trans." Following the backlash, Rowling ed other literary and media figures in g an open letter condemning online shaming.
Though Rowling has been a topic of conversation for over a month, the attention has not translated into book sales. According to Variety, Rowling's print book sales rose just 10.9% in June. While that does still represent an increase in sales, Rowling is lagging behind the rest of the publishing industry, which saw sales rise 31.4% in June. Harry Potter book sales—both in the original series, and books licensed by Rowling but written by other authors—rose only 7.7% in the same time frame. For an author who has experienced so much success for so long, these figures represent a steep decline.
Though a spokesperson for NPD Bookscan declined to speculate on the reasons for the decline in Rowling's sales without industry research, it would seem that the decline correlates with widespread criticism of Rowling over the past month. Universal Studios, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, issued a statement ing diversity and inclusion in response, as did Warner Brothers, the production company behind the Harry Potter film series. Rowling also received backlash from Harry Potter cast , including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, and was called out by fellow author Stephen King.
J.K. Rowling is an immensely influential and powerful figure in popular culture, and her comments have hurt and upset many people. She has an enormous platform and has chosen to use it in a way that is harmful to a group of people who are already targeted disproportionately. While fans have been unable to change her mind, they are able to vote with their wallets, and many have chosen to stop ing her. At this point, there is little else they can do; fans cannot stop her from being rich and powerful, but they can, and have, let her know they are no longer interested in what she has to say.
Source: Variety
