Poison pens: leading writers call for overhaul of UK’s Society of Authors

Literary world riven by conflict as trade union is accused of inappropriately taking sides in culture war

It is a literary row that threatens to consume the very organisation set up to protect authors' rights. And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children's books, it has already prompted outbursts of unmistakably adult fury.

Harry Potter creator, JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials, and the poet Kate Clanchy, are among the cast members of the drama that continues to rock the Society of Authors, not to mention Joanne Harris, author of the bestselling novel Chocolat, who chairs the society's management committee.