Waterstones faces backlash for sacking bookseller over comments about author

Waterstones, a popular bookstore chain, has faced criticism for terminating the employment of a bookseller named Tilly Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, known for her book reviews on TikTok under the name Tilly Loves Books, was fired after expressing her intention to discard a novel by author Christina Dalcher due to the author's gender-critical views. Despite clarifying that she did not seek to have Dalcher's books removed from Waterstones' shelves, Fitzgerald was let go for violating the company's social media policy. Following her dismissal, Fitzgerald took to social media to share her sadness and emphasize that her comments were a personal choice rather than an attempt to cancel the author. Supporters of the LGBTQ+ community have rallied behind Fitzgerald, urging Waterstones to reconsider its decision and reinstate her. The bookstore has been inundated with calls for her reinstatement and a boycott of Dalcher's books, with the issue sparking a significant online debate. Waterstones stated that Fitzgerald's dismissal was based on breaching company policies and not related to transgender rights, which have become a prominent issue in the publishing industry. The incident has ignited discussions about freedom of expression, social media conduct, and the boundaries between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities. Fitzgerald, devastated by the outcome, believes that a warning would have been a more appropriate response to her actions. The controversy surrounding Fitzgerald's termination has drawn attention to the complexities of navigating differing viewpoints in the literary world. As the debate continues to unfold on social media platforms, the bookstore's handling of the situation and the broader implications for employees expressing personal opinions online are being scrutinized by both supporters and critics.