Ohio writers' group publishing new anthology to counter book censorship
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio writers' group is responding to a rise in school and library censorship by publishing a new collection of stories that tackle topics often the focus of banned books, like religion, race and immigration.
The Ohio Writers' Association's newest anthology titled 'Should This Book Be Banned?' releases on Feb. 16 featuring 30 stories and poems written by 'a kaleidoscope of perspectives,' including those from the LGBTQ+ community, various racial identities, religious clergy and academia. Each story aims to boost representation for these groups through characters navigating complex themes, demonstrating how certain actions impact marginalized communities.
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'We have straight and LGBTQ, we have stories about the trans experience, we have critiques and examinations of religion from both atheists, as well as the ordained and clergy,' said Joseph Graves, a United Methodist pastor who is also the group's president. 'It's just interesting to me, the spectrum from atheist to clergy, student to professor, gay to straight. But, these stories, all from those different perspectives, they all kind of fit together.'
A nonprofit organization, the association supports professional and emerging Ohio authors through education services like conferences and workshops, peer critiquing, and the publication of anthologies where the majority of sales go back to the authors. Graves said this year's anthology was meant to feature generic fiction, but the association decided to pivot in response to the growing effort to ban certain books in U.S. schools and libraries.
The 2023-2024 school year recorded the highest instances of books bans, more than 10,000 nationwide, according to a report from literature and human rights advancement organization Pen America. Florida and Iowa recorded the highest number of book bans, with over 4,500 bans in Florida and over 3,600 in Iowa.
Pen America analyzed the content of the most commonly banned books, and found they overwhelmingly include books with people and characters of color, 44%, and books with LGBTQ+ people and characters, 39%. Nearly 60% of these banned titles were written for young adults, and discuss topics like grief and death, substance abuse, suicide, mental health, and sexual violence.
Graves said the association wants to embrace 'an individual's ability to discern for themselves what they read,' and hopes 'Should This Book Be Banned?' will provide a glimpse into these complex topics and help readers overcome innate biases while increasing empathy for those who may seem different. While the anthology was planned before November's election, Graves noted this mission has been amplified in the wake of the Trump administration's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
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'The relevance of this collection keeps getting multiplied as things progress, but our intent hasn't changed from the very beginning,' said Graves. 'The great thing about stories, you don't have to agree with them to understand them. There are stories in this anthology that make me uncomfortable … but, in the understanding, I find empathy sneaks in and we can see people's true humanity.'
The anthology also arrives as inclusion in the classroom is under debate through multiple forums in Ohio, like a resolution passed in 2023 by Big Walnut Local Schools to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other symbols promoting 'activist causes' from the classroom. Another district, Warren County's Little Miami, introduced a similar proposal this year that has since been rejected.
Other measures include an incoming Ohio law requiring teachers to notify parents before teaching 'sexuality content,' which also protects programs like LifeWise Academy and religious released time. Separate legislation proposed at the Statehouse last year would've charged educators with felonies for handing out 'obscene' books.
A public hearing for that proposal came shortly after a New Richmond public school teacher was suspended for three days without pay for having books with LGBTQ+ characters in her classroom. Another lawsuit saw Jackson Local School District pay $450,000 to a middle school teacher who resigned last year for refusing to address two transgender students by their preferred names and pronouns.
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Graves said attempts 'to whitewash society' minimize the experiences of minority communities. While some of the stories in 'Should This Book Be Banned?' are fiction, Graves stressed they all 'capture the essence of what it means to be human in a way that other people maybe don't understand.'
'There's beauty in hearing people's stories. I find that stories are the best way to increase empathy, and I personally think empathy is one of the great values we need, as a person of ordained faith and as a clergy person,' said Graves. 'Empathy and treating people with respect and understanding people's stories is what we need more of.'
'Should This Book Be Banned?' can be purchased through Amazon and other retailers beginning on Feb. 16. The association is celebrating the anthology's release with a launch party the same day featuring readings from the anthology and opportunities to meet the authors. Visit ohiowriters.org to learn more.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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