Horowitz seeks Dubai explanation
18.02.09 The Bookseller

Children's writer Anthony Horowitz has joined a growing chorus of outrage at the decision by the Emirates Airline International Festival to prevent a Penguin author from launching a book at the event because of a gay character.

Horowitz has written to fair director Isobel Abulhoul saying he cannot be associated with a literary festival that opposes freedom of speech and which attempts to censor other writers.
"It doesn't help that my name is being used constantly to promote the festival...in truth, I should have known about this earlier," he wrote. Horowitz has said that he has yet to decide whether to pull out of the event or make a protest there. The Dubai-based event, almost two years in the planning, is due to open on 26th February.

The Guardian reports that children's author, illustrator and creator of Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child, who has just taken up a new role as a Unesco Artist for Peace, is also considering her position.

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