Sally Rooney’s UK Book Exit Raises Questions Over Royalties From TV Adaptations

Irish novelist Sally Rooney has withdrawn her books from sale in the UK, saying that continuing to publish them there could break the law because of her support for Palestine Action. Her publisher, Faber, announced the decision on Oct. 14.

Faber said the UK ban on the group “has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” Sky News reported. Rooney said the decision was made “with my full agreement.”

Court Hearing Due as TV Payments Stay Unresolved

Rooney, 35, is the author of “Normal People,” “Conversations With Friends,” “Beautiful World, Where Are You?” and “Intermezzo.” She has said she will donate earnings from her work to Palestine Action. The UK government banned the group as a terrorist organization on July 5, 2025.

In a statement, Rooney said she wrote an opinion piece in August 2025 declaring her intention to keep supporting the group. She noted that Palestine Action is not banned in the Republic of Ireland. “As a result, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence,” she said.

Faber said in its own statement that to sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is “an unconscionable situation for a publisher.” The company will continue to publish Rooney’s work in other territories.

Ban Carries Prison Terms of Up to 14 Years

The ban made membership of, or support for, the group a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison, Sky News reported. Palestine Action describes its goal as “ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime,” according to Sky News.

Ammori said more than 3,700 arrests have been made under the ban for “simply holding seven word signs.” The figure is her claim and has not been independently verified by IBTimes SG.

Palestine Action Co-Founder Reacts

Ammori said Rooney’s situation “marks a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action.” She called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to overturn the ban, saying it is “a political choice, and one with profound consequences for freedom of expression in this country.”

A Warning Months in the Making

The withdrawal follows a series of earlier warnings from Rooney. In a statement to London’s High Court in November 2025, Rooney said “my existing works may have to be withdrawn from sale” in Britain, Reuters reported. She also said it was “almost certain” she could not publish new work in the UK while the ban remained, according to Sky News.

In September 2025, Rooney canceled a trip to London to accept the Sky Arts Award for literature for fear of arrest, Sky News reported. Reuters reported that Element Pictures, which produced the BBC adaptations of her novels, wrote to her agent that month after she said she would use royalties to support the group.

TV Adaptation Payments Remain Unclear

The announcement does not establish that payments tied to TV adaptations have been suspended. No such step has been confirmed by Faber, Element Pictures or the BBC.

The legal position may depend on individual contracts, where payments originate and how the legislation is applied. Element Pictures and the BBC have not publicly commented on the latest development.

Court Hearing Due as TV Payments Stay Unresolved

RTÉ reports that the UK Supreme Court will hear a case concerning the ban on Nov. 4 and 5. The outcome could shape the wider debate over the ban, though its effect on publishing and adaptation contracts would depend on the ruling and any official guidance.

For now, Rooney’s books remain available outside the UK.