Pre-censorship of authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult materials: The stifling of creative thought in anticipation of the marketplace

Cherie Givens, School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of British Columbia

This paper focuses on the lived experiences of Canadian authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult materials whose works have been censored prior to publication. The types of pre-censorship they have experienced are examined, including changes made for the U.S. market. The effect pre-censorship has had on the creative process including self-censorship and lack of desire to create is also examined.

Experiences of Canadian children’s authors and illustrators are compared to those of pre-censored children’s authors in the United Kingdom and the United States.