Sally Rooney, one of the most successful Irish authors of her generation, will no longer have her books distributed in Britain. Faber, which publishes Rooney’s books in Britain and Ireland, announced that it would stop distributing her books in Britain in all formats following her public support for Palestine Action. The decision was made with Rooney’s consent after British anti-terrorism legislation created a situation in which the publisher says it can no longer pay her royalties from sales in Britain.
“To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher,” Faber said in a statement. However, the publisher stressed that it continues to support Rooney’s writing and will keep selling her books in other markets. According to The Irish Times, copies already on sale in British bookstores may continue to be sold until stocks run out.
Sally Rooney
(Photo: Erik Voake/Getty Images for Hulu)
Rooney, 35, rose to international prominence with her novels “Conversations with Friends” and “Normal People,” both of which were adapted into successful television series and translated into Hebrew. Her novel “Beautiful World, Where Are You” was also a commercial success. According to The Guardian, “Normal People” sold more than 1 million copies in Britain, while “Conversations with Friends” and “Beautiful World, Where Are You” each sold more than 500,000 copies.
The dispute stems from the British government’s decision to designate Palestine Action a terrorist organization in July 2025 under the country’s Terrorism Act. The group, which advocates direct action against the military industry, has been linked to protests targeting defense companies, among other activities.
Following the designation, Rooney announced that she intended to donate proceeds from her book sales and television adaptations to the organization. In August 2025, she published an opinion piece in The Irish Times declaring her support for the group and emphasizing that it is not banned in the Republic of Ireland, where she lives.
British law prohibits providing support to a designated terrorist organization. Violating Section 15 of the Terrorism Act, which addresses providing money or property while knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used for terrorist purposes, can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Rooney argued that under these circumstances, continuing to fulfill contracts for the publication of her works in Britain could constitute a serious criminal offense.
Even before the latest decision, Rooney warned that the ban could lead to her books disappearing from British bookstores and prevent her from publishing new works in the country. She also canceled a trip to Britain to receive a literary award, fearing she could be arrested over her support for the organization.
The controversy comes amid a legal battle over the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. In February 2026, England’s High Court ruled that the decision to outlaw the group was unlawful and disproportionate. However, the Court of Appeal overturned that ruling in June, finding that the ban was lawful. A further appeal is scheduled to be heard by the British Supreme Court on November 4 and 5.