Open letter to Waterstones in support of TillyLovesBooks

From authors and book industry workers

We are a group of authors and book industry workers deeply concerned about the recent events surrounding a much-loved member of the book community, known on social media as TillyLovesBooks.

We feel it is an egregious error to terminate the employment of a dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable bookseller for expressing a personal opinion about an author and their work on their social media page.

The page was not associated with Waterstones. Neither Tilly’s personal opinion nor what she chooses to do with her own private property, should have been grounds for her losing her work and livelihood.

Moreover, letting go of someone who clearly loves, and takes great pride in, their work, is a terrible loss for Waterstones as a company.

We would like to express support and solidarity with Tilly, and to urge Waterstones to do the right thing and reinstate her.

Signed,

Sara Gibbs

And

A Hunt, Blogger 

A K James, writer

Adam Schembri, author

Aine O'Connell, Blogger

Alan Baxter, author

Alan Seymour, Author 

Alasdair Beckett-King, Author

Alex Falase-Koya, Author

Alex Farebrother-Naylor, Book illustrator

Alex Townley, Reviewer, bookseller, and Waterstones customer.

Alex Woodroe, Publisher

Alexandra Heminsley, Author 

Alim Kheraj, Author

Alisha Maltby, Blogger

Alison Stockham, Author

Alyson Kissner, Poet

Alyssa Popiel, Author 

Amanda Lees, Author

Amanda Martin Sandino, Author

Amber Slaney,  Author/TikTok blogger

Amy Beashel, Author

Amy Louise Blaney, Blogger

Amy Mackelden, Journalist, author, and former Waterstones bookseller

Andrew Day, Librarian

Andrew Hickey, author and podcaster

Ania Card, Author

Anna Britton, Author

Anna Mazzola, author

Anna Sampson, Ghost writer

Annette Wardell, Opera Singer/reader and occasional book reviewer 

Annie Hodson  Author

Annie Waller, Blogger 

Ashleigh Hartland, Blogger 

Beate Herrmann, Blogger

Bec Bentliff, Publisher Liaison at Illumicrate 

Becca at Pretty Little Memoirs, Blogger

Bee (beereadingshelf), blogger

Bee Curtis-Monro, Blogger

Ben Paites, Author

Bethan Morgan, Editor

Bethany Ross, Author

Bev Buckland, Bookseller

Billie Lauren Hindle, Script Editor

Bitter Karella, author

Bo Mandeville, Artist/writer/filmmaker 

Bruce Erasmus, Author

C Treadwell, Blogger and reviewer

C. Blyth, Writer and editor

C. Fletcher, Author

Cailean Steed, Author

Caitlin Francis, Content writer

Cara Lisette, author

Carl Jones, Librarian 

Carly Rushforth, Blogger 

Carol-Anne Royer, Digital Marketing at Publisher

Carole-Ann, 2nd hand bookseller

Caroline Debenham, Retired Librarian

Caroline Hooton, Blogger and Reviewer

Caroline Kay

Caron McKinlay, Author 

Carrie Elks, Author 

Carrie Marshall, Author

Carrie O’Neill, Author

Carrie-Jennifer Simpson, Library Assistant

Cat Aquino, Author (VIZ Media) and Editorial Assistant (Daphne Press)

Catherine Ebenezer, Former member of staff at Waterstones 

Catherine Hokin, Author

Catherine Walsh, Author

Cathy Haywarc, Bookseller/ author 

Cathy Reay, Commissioning Editor

Caz Blyth, Writer and editor

Charli Clement, Author

Charlie Brigden, writer

Charlie Novak, Author

Charlotte Bonner, Marketing Assistant at an academic publisher and book blogger 

Cheryl Sonnier, Writer

Cheryl Taylor, Retired Chartered Librarian

Chloe Bellamy, Blogger

Chloë Hunt, Author

Chloe Timms, Author 

Chris McGeorge, Author

Christa Faust, Author

Christopher Lloyd, Writer, Reviewer, Lecturer 

CJ Cooke, Author

CJ Mason - The Fallen Librarian Reviews , Book Blogger

Clair Sharpe, Blogger

Claire Allan, Author 

Claire Handscombe, Author 

Claire Withers, Editor

Claire Hill, Blogger

Clare Wartnaby, Author

Courtney T, Blogger

D Adams, Bookseller

D. F. Hall, blogger

Daisy Welham, Science Writer

Daisy White, Author

Dan Mooney, Author

Dan Whitehead, Author

Daniel Carpenter, editor

David Andress, historian

David Demchuk, author

David Robson, Author

Debbie Turner, Illumicrate employee

Debi Alper, Author and editor 

Deborah Small, Bookseller 

Deepthi RC, Blogger

Denise Breen, Reader

Derek Farrell, Author and editor

Des Kavanagh, Reader

Devjani Bodepudi, Writer 

Diana Parker, Book lover 

Diyora Shadijanova, Journalist

Dominic Wakeford, Editor

Donna Moore, Author

Dorian Lynskey, Author

Dr Brooke Magnanti, Author

Dr Geoff Warburton, Author

Dr Hannah Nicklin, Author of Writing for Games, Theory & Practice.

Dr Mary Doherty, Author

Dr. Bodie A. Ashton, Author

Drew Gummerson, Writer

Dru Marland, author, illustrator

Elaine Duffy, Librarian

Eleanor Lawson, Former Waterstones bookseller

Elisabeth Hobbes, author

Elizabeth Cooke, Reader, book lover, book collector, trans ally

Elizabeth Dearnley, Writer and editor

Elizabeth R. McClellan, poet

Ella Gordon, Editorial Director

Ellen Jones, Author 

Ellen Welsh, Bookseller

Ellie Croston, Blogger and former publisher 

Ellie Harris, Editorial Assistant 

Ellie Hudson, Marketer at Publisher

Ellie Thomas, author

Ellie Warren, blogger

Ellie Wood, Bookstagrammer

Em Collins, book seller

Emily Garside, Author and former Waterstones bookseller 

Emily Goulding, Publicist

Emily Katy, Author and blogger

Emily Rose, Bookseller

Emily Turner, Author 

Emma Denny, Author

Emma Finlayson-Palmer, Author

Emma Hardy, Blogger

Emma Procter, Reader

Emma Reynolds, Author-Illustrator

Emma Tofi, Author & blogger

Emma Whitehall, Bookseller

Equality Amplified, Editor/Blogger 

Erica Buist, Author

Esme Symes-Smith, Author, Random House Kids

Evdokia Veloudou, Writer 

Eve Paterson, Bookstagrammer

F Flavin, Bookseller of 10+ years.

Farhana Gani, Blogger (bookanista)

Felix F Fern, Writer

Finn Bain, writer / poet

Fio Trethewey , Author

Fiona Leitch, Author

Fran McBookface  Book blogger

Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Author

Gabriela Fontánez , Library Worker 

Gaynor Jones, Author 

Gemma Cheetham, Blogger

Georgina Appleton, Writer

Georgina Kiersten, author 

Geraldine Roman, Bookseller

Gideon Nisbet, Author and translator

Gordon Herriott, Book blogger

Haleh Agar, Author

Hannah Berry, Author

Hannah Chesley, Sales Operations Coordinator

Hannah MacDonald, Host of A Pair of Bookends podcast

Hannah Marie Anthony, Blogger

Hannah Nicholson FRSA, Writer, library assistant and archivist

Hannah Taylor, Editorial Assistant at August Books / The Canelo Group

Harry Nicholas, Author

Hayley Price, Author

Heather Fitt, Author

Heather T, Blogger

Heather You, Author, blogger, editor

Heidi Drake, Teacher/author

Helen Thwaite, author

Holly McKenna, Poet

Holly Smale, Author

Hope Bragg, Bookseller

Imi McDonnell, Marketing at Illumicrate

Imogen Conroy, Librarian 

Ioana Balas, Book critic

Iona Richardson, Librarian

Isla Macfarlane, Ex-bookseller, current librarian/PhD Student

Isobel Turnock, Publishing professional

J.E. Harland, Author

Jack Strange, Author and bookselle

Jack Wrighton, Senior Bookseller 

Jacques Viau, Bookseller

Jake Jenner, IT Support at large publisher

James Cross, Book reviewer, trustee of book festival, former bookseller

James Felton, Author

James L, Volunteer Librarian

James Oswald, Author

James Silvester, Author

James Withey, Author

Jamie Delano, writer, editor, (independent) publisher

Jamie Jackson, Author

Jamie-Lee Nardone, Publicist 

Jane Johnson, Author and publisher

Jane Lambert, Blogger

Jane Markland, author

Jantien Schoenmakers, Author

Jason Masters, Author

Jason Okundaye, Author

Jeanna Louise Skinner, Author of Plus-Size Fantasy Romance 

Jemima Forrester, Literary agent

Jenet E Le Lacheur, Author

Jennie Bibby, Blogger 

Jennifer Li, Book blogger 

Jenny Rohde, Blogger

Jenny Wackett, Editor

Jerry Daykin, Author (The Inclusive Marketing Book)

Jesse with an E, cartoonist

Jim McLeod, Book Reviewer 

JJA Harwood, Author

Jo Shaw, Book blogger

Joanne Hall, Author / Editor

Joanne Harris, Author

Joanne Limburg, Author

Jodie Matthews, Author 

Joe Shooman, Author

Joel G, Screenwriter 

Joel Rochester (fictionalfates), Author & Content Creator

John-Paul, Blogger

Johnny Mains, Editor

Jon Doyle, Author

Jonathan Bart, Former bookseller 

Jonathan D. Beer, Author

Jonathan Eilbeck, Library Volunteer 

Jonjo Minns, Blogger

Jordan Paul, Blogger

Joseph Hall, Blogger

Julia Littleton , blogger / reader

Julianna Neuhouser, Translator 

Julie Gourinchas, agent

Karena Freeman, Book Blogger

Karin Celestine, Author

Kat Brown, Author and journalist

Kate Appleton, Publicity Director

Kate Campbell, Author 

Kate Holmes, Former literary events organiser 

Kate Neilan, Marketer

Kate Perris, Librarian

Kate Wells, author

Kath Vlcek, Blogger 

Kathryn Loffstadt, Audiobook narrator

Katie H, Blogger

Katie Mitchell, Former Waterstones Bookseller 

Katie Sadler, Book marketing consultant

Katie Spalding, writer

Katy Lees, author

Keith Forward, Editor

Ken Preston, Author

Kerri Andrews, Author 

Kerry Burnett, Writer

Kerry-Louise Jones, Blogger 

Kevin R. Tipple, Book Blogger and Human Being

Kieran Sangha, Senior Communications Executive (Pan Macmillan)

Kim Falconer, Author

Kim Hamilton, Blogger 

Kip Alizadeh, Illustrator

Kirkland Ciccone, Author

Kirsty Capes, Author 

Kirsty Griffith, Highstreet Retail Store Manager, Bookstagrammer. 

Kirsty Stanley, Blogger and Writer 

Kirstyn Smith, Editor

Kizzia Mildmay, Blogger

KJ Charles, author

Kristi Rose, Author

Kyle Spence, Author

L.R. Lam, Author

Lamia N Bayen, Author

Larissa Caroline Nikolaus, Hobbyauthor

Lark Bierman, artist

Laura Elliott, Author 

Laura Fowler, Editor/ book reviewer

Laura Hunt, Book marketer

Laura Jane Vickers, Author

Laura Pearson, Author

Laura Steel-Marshall, Author

Lauren Lloyd, Author

Lauren Sparks, Book Blogger / Reviewer

Laurie Penny, author

Len Pennie, Author

Lex Croucher, Author

Leona Skene, Editor

Lesley McDowell, Author

Liam James, blogger

Liam Owens, Former Bookseller and Librarian

Lindsay Moakes, Author

Lindsey Cobb, Blogger

Lisa Doyle, Library Assistant Writer and Blogger

Liz Fenwick, Author

Liz Flannigan, Author 

Lizzie Fry, Author 

Lorna J, Literacy charity employee 

Lou Morgan, Author

Louis Shankar, writer, editor, reviewer

Louisa Mae, Author

Louise Clarke, Blogger

Louise Hare, Author

Lucy Felthouse, Author

Lucy Goacher, Author

Lucy Nichol, Author

Lucy Rose, Author / Publishing Professional

Lucy Vine, Author

Lynsey James, Author

Lyza Lawal, Book Blogger 

Marc Collins, Author

Marc James Peirson, author

Margaret McDonald, Author 

Marianne Chala, Director, The Willoughby Book Club

Marie-Anne Hewitt, Author

Mark C. O’Flaherty  Author 

Mark Pearson, Author

Mark W White, Author

Martin Delaney, Author

Martin Reed, Author

Martin Vincent, Bookseller

Martyn Brunt, author

Martyn Waites, author

Matilda Chapman, Blogger

Matt Doy, Blogger

Matt James, Editor

Matt Rogerson, Author

Matthew Cavanagh, Blogger

Matthias Friedrich, literary translator

Maureen Chapter, Book blogger

Maureen Johnson, author

Megan Booth, Editor and writer

Melissa Oliver (pen name), Author

Mere Rain, author

Mhairi Ledgerwood, Writer 

Michael Dodd (Track of Words), Blogger

Michael Lawson, Author

Michael Lee Richardson, Writer

Michelle Rever, Reader / reviewer

Michelle S, Book Reviewer

Mikey Walsh, Author

Mimi Sabin, Author

Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, Blogger and former journalist now freelance editor/proofreader

MJ McGhee, Author

Nadi Reed Perez, Author

Naomi Kelsey, Author

Natalie Normann, author

Natalie Rampling, Blogger

Natasha Effendy, Author

Natasha Pulley, writer

Nathalie Kernot, journalist

Neil Alexander, Author

Neil D.A. Stewart, Author

Neil Scott, Columnist for Blitzed Magazine and leftungagged.org 

Nick Coveney, Author

Nicky Downes, Author

Nicola Bowman, book blogger

Nicole Kennedy, author

Nicole Sweeney, Blogger

Oakley Flanagan, Author

Olivia Bicknell, Bookstagrammer

Olivia Jeggo, Marketer

Olivia Turner, Bookseller

Orla Egan, Author

Owen J Hurcum, Author

P.C. Morrissey, Editor / Writer

Pan Saville, CSA for PRH

Pat Austin, Bookseller

Patrick Lenton, Author

Patrick O, Blogger

Patrick Samphire, Author

Patrick W. Reed, Author

Patrick Weyland-Smith, Former bookseller

Paul Brennan, Blogger

Paul Ilett, Author

Paul McDowell, Author, blogger

Penelope Friday, Author

Peter Mitchell, author

Phil Charles, Writer

Philippa B, Blogger 

Phoebe Dartnell (@thelondonbookworm), Blogger

Phoenix Andrews, Author and former bookseller

Piper Paterson, Blogger

Poppy Woodeson, Artist and reader

Professor Sally Hines, Author 

R Henderson, Author.

Rachael Adam, Author

Rachael Mills, Bookstagrammer

Rachel Bowdler, Author

Rachel Garner, Blogger/reviewer

Rachel Saunders, Blogger

Rachel Woollett, Writer, editor, former Waterstones bookseller

Rae Radford, Book Blogger

Rani Selvarajah, Author

Rebecca Denton, author

Ren Frances, book blogger  

Rhiannon Grist, Author

Rhiannon Hall @chadreadsrom, Bookstagrammer

Ria Hill, Author

Richard Blandford, Author

Richy Craven, Author

Rikki de la Vega, author

Rina Dunn, Book blogger.

Ritu Bhathal, Author

River Cronin, Librarian

Rob Myatt, Translator

Robin ince, Author 

Roland Allen, Author, THE NOTEBOOK

Rosa Wild, Author (debut upcoming in 2025)

Rose Black, author

Rose Matthews, Library Worker

Rose Ruane, Author

Rosie Fiore, Author

Rowan Bristol, Blogger

Rowan Coleman, author

Ruth Loten, Author & book blogger

Ryan Love, author

Ryan Ward, Waterstones Senior Barista & Area Coffee Coach

S John, Bookshop Manager

S Naomi Scott, Author, blogger

Sacha Coward , Author of 'Queer As Folklore'

Sam Dowler, author

Sam Schofield, Book blogger 

Sam Whittaker, Book seller and blogger

Samuel Burnett, Bookseller

Sandi Green, blogger

Saoirse Wolf, Editor

Sara Medina, Copy editor

Sarah Bonner, Author

Sarah Boon, Author 

Sarah Hagger-Holt, Author 

Sarah Lundy, Publicist

Sarah Pickard, author

Scott Pack, Author, publisher, former head of buying for Waterstones.

Shani Akilah, Author 

Shanu Varma, Content creator 

Sharna Copsey, Book blogger 

Shelleyrae Cus, Book blogger 

Shiraz Turvey, Author & Editor

Simon Tyler, author

Sinéad Cuddihy, @tiredmammybookclub

Siobhan McGuinness, Librarian 

Sivan Sardar, Campaign Executive 

Sofie Hagen, Author

Sophie B, Book Blogger

Sophie Cameron, Author

Sophie Duncan, Author 

Sophie Goodfellow, Publicist

Sophie Labelle, Cartoonist and novelist

Sou Alexander, Author & Illustrator

Stan Barker - Woof Woof Promo, Writer/publisher

Steffie Webster, Blogger

Stephanie Burgis, Author

Stephanie Harris , Bookstagrammer, Blogger

Steve K, Book seller 

Steven Butler, Author/ Bookseller 

Steven Clark, Waterstones bookseller 

Stu Hennigan, Writer; Senior Stock Librarian

Stuart Cummins, Book blogger

Sue Cowley  Author

Sue Laybourn, Editor

Sumaira Wilson, Owner of SpellBound Books . 

Susan Green, Blogger

Susan Lanigan, Novelist

Susan MacInnes (Violet Joicey-Cowen), Author 

Susan Osborne , Blogger and ex-Waterstones bookseller 

Susan Tomaselli, editor/publisher

Suzanna Fitzpatrick, Author and reader 

Suzanne Curley, Ex-editor

Tahliah Simumba, Artist

Tal Frost, Author

Tania Tay, Author

Tasha M, Blogger

Tawseef Khan, Author

Tess Berry-Hart, Author & playwright

Thanhmai Bui-Van, Sales Manager

The Lockdown Bookclub, Online book club

The Scottish Yorkshireman, Chief writer

Theo Malings, Author

Theodora Rosenberg, Content Creator

Theresa Davis, Author 

Thomas Miani, Blogger

Tia Fielding, Author

Tiffany Milton, Illumicrate – bookseller

Tobias River, Author

Tom Chapman, Journalist 

Tom Nicoll, Author

Tony Nixon, Editor

Tracey Hewitt, Blogger

Tracey Vince, book blogger

Travis Hedge Coke , Author

Trevor Wood, Author

Trish Wylie, Author

Tristan Gray, Author

Trudie Skies, Author

Tufayel Ahmed, Author

Valerie Dickenson, Author 

Venetia Welby, Author 

Vicci Thomas, Blogger/Booktokker/Reviewer

Vicky Stevenson, bookseller

Victoria MacKenzie, Author 

Victoria Phillips, Editorial Assistant

Vikki Patis, Author

Vin George, Author

Violet Daniels, (ex-Waterstones seller)

Viv Schwarz, Author

Wayne Tunks, Author

Wednesday Holmes, Artist & Author 

Wiz Wharton, Author 

Yas Doughty, Curation at Illumicrate/Evernight/Afterlight

Yorgos Cotronis, cover artist

Zainab Juma, Brand, Penguin Books

Zohra Nabi, Author

Additional signatories:

Alicia Wallace ,Reader, supporter of fair rights 

Cameron Archibald,  Public Policy & Economics Analyst

Damien Donnelly, Teacher of English 

Darren Jamieson, Digital marketing agency owner

Eden Plummer, Personal Assistant

Erica Vonderwall, Reader

Fiona Freer, Office Manager

Gabriella Walshaw, Customer

Hayley Carmichael, Patient Adviser

Jessica Thomson, Best friend of a trans girl

John Parkinson, Just an enjoyer of books

L Jackson, Waterstones customer

Lena Frain-Atallah , Operations Manager

Linda Fathi, person who buys books

Lisa O’Sullivan, Reader 

Lucinda Parfett, Unemployed 

Meg Ozturk, English Teacher

Melody Soundy, Student

Michaela Pashley, Financial Adviser

Mimi McGann, Lecturer

Nat Baxter, Driver

Naatacha Kennedy, Academic

Natasha Merriman, Teacher and reader

Paul Herbert, Reader/customer

Paul Nethercott, Customer

Rebecca Lindsay, Loyal Waterstones customer for over 15 years

Rhys Mobsby, HR Consultant

Ross Cameron, Customer/Reader

Sally Rainger, Reader

Siobhaín Cheetham, Academic 

Suzanne Rust, Bookworm

Thomas James, Carer

Toni Foxley-Greenwood, Silversmith

Tori Johnson, engineer and humanist

Violet G., Concerned member of the public

Zoe Rider, Avid reader

An additional 214 people signed with their first name only or wished to remain anonymous but lend their support to Tilly 

This list was collected via Twitter and Google sheet submissions. It has been vetted for false names and trolling by several pairs of eyes, but we are human - so please alert me if anything has been included in error.