Author discusses book bans, writing at Bucknell

Jan. 24—LEWISBURG — New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult warned of the dangers of banning books and limiting free speech during a moderated discussion at Bucknell University on Tuesday night.

Picoult spoke in front of a packed auditorium with Bucknell President John Bravman on the theme "Freedom of Expression" in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. Picoult has had bans from 41 school districts placed on many of her books, which have themes of gun violence, women's reproductive health rights, and LGBTQ+ issues.

"Historically, banning is out of control," said Picoult, the author of 30 books, including as co-author of "Mad Honey" in 2022. "Since 2020, banning has increased 1,100 percent. It involves 37 states in the country, 6,000 individual titles and millions of students. It does not show any sign of stopping any time soon."

Picoult said the bans come out of groups like Moms For Liberty and the push for legislation involving parental rights.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep track of your kid's education," said Picoult. "The problem becomes when you decide you can keep track of another person's kid's education. That is a big problem. That is exactly the rationale being used right now for all of these book bans. That is why it has become so explosive."

Picoult said it is important for authors like herself who have a large platform to speak out. Marginalized authors, such as those who are in the LGBTQ community or are Black, indigenous or people of color, are the ones who face the initial challenges, she said.

"It's important for authors like me who are straight and white and cisgender to be able to speak up on behalf of authors who are not," she said.

Bravman said Bucknell "champions a diversity of perspectives," which is an "essential part of preparing students for a lifetime of critical thinking and engaged citizenship."

'Idea comes first'

Before the discussion with Bravman, Picoult told members of the media it was her first time in the Lewisburg area, but reminded her of small-town life in New Hampshire. One of her novels "Plain Truths" was set in Lancaster with scenes at State College. For this novel, Picoult lived with an Amish family who let her participate in chores and reading the Bible.

"For me, the idea comes first," said Picoult. "I sort of know the trajectory of the story, I usually know the twist at that point. I don't know the details. I then figure out 'what do I need to know to write about this with authority?' I pick apart all of the people, or the jobs, or situations, or the history that I need. I try to find through networking people who can teach me that stuff."

Most of her novels are equally research-intensive. She has ridden with police and firefighters, lived with the Amish, interviewed astronauts and visited death row in Arizona.

While her name has increased in recognizability over the years, she said she never assumes someone will know who she is.

"I never make that assumption," said Picoult. "Why should someone know who I am? I am sure some people who recognize the name and probably are like 'oh I'll talk to her. The reality is even when I had no name, people were willing to talk to me. I think sometimes it's a matter of asking very politely."

'Story to tell'

Picoult's novels have a wide variety of characters from different walks of life.

"If I write about race and white privilege as a white woman, it is far more likely to be bought and put on a shelf than that of a Black writer, which is not cool. So why is that my story to tell?" said Picoult. "In my case in 'Small Great Things,' I was delighted if my Black readers would read it and find it valid, but I was not teaching them anything they didn't know. My goal was to reach people who look like me, who think they're good people, who don't call themselves racists, to realize that having skin this color is in itself a privilege that makes doors fly open. That was my story to write."

Picoult said she worked with women of color to ask the "stupid white girl" questions. She "braided their voices" into her character and had those women be sensitive readers before her novel was published.

"If you're going to write about a character whose lived experience is not like yours, whether it's someone Black or whether it's a Neo-Nazi, you better know what you're talking about," she said. "That does require a lot of research and finding the right people."

'Down to earth and honest'

Before the discussion with Bravman, Picoult also spoke with a group of students in the Elaine Langone Center.

Bucknell senior Olivia Tzefronis, of Cleveland, Ohio, said Picoult is "down to earth, honest and very upfront about the (writing) process."

"It felt like I was talking to someone on the street and not my favorite author," said Tzefronis, who is studying psychology with a minor in creative writing.

She said she learned so many things, including "how important it is to write what you need to write instead of catering to other people."

Tzefronis talked to Picoult and had the author sign her favorite novel, "Handle With Care."

"It was amazing," she said.

Melissa Rowse, the director of the Degenstein Community Library in Sunbury, said she enjoyed the event.

"I thought she was great," she said.

"She was so eloquent. So truthful. And I liked how she wants to help other authors, especially those underrepresented. It was a great event. Sometimes, authors can be so introverted, but she was very comfortable. So glad I got to see her."

Remaining speakers

All remaining speakers in this year's Bucknell Forum will appear in person at 7:30 p.m. on these dates: New York Times bestselling author, journalist and activist George M. Johnson on Feb. 27, in Trout Auditorium; and Academy Award-winning actor and activist Jane Fonda on March 19 in the Weis Center.