Author Jessa Hastings apologises for ‘unintentionally insensitive’ language in Never book

A TikTok-famous Sydney author who is married to one of Hillsong’s most prolific worship leaders has responded to readers’ concerns about “racially insensitive” language in her latest book.

Author Jessa Hastings has apologised after reader backlash in response to her latest book, which they have accused of having "racially insensitive" language.

A Sydney author whose debut series went viral on TikTok will change some wording in her latest release after readers raised concerns about “racially insensitive” language.

Sydney-born and California-based author Jessa Hastings’ debut series Magnolia Parks went viral on TikTok after its initially independent release before it was picked up globally by traditional publishers.

But social media has been less kind about her first foray into fantasy, a Peter Pan retelling titled Never, as readers have responded with outrage to specific language used to describe brown-skinned characters.

Multiple readers posted images of a particular description of the Peter Pan character, in which the author wrote “his skin is so tan that he looks dirty”.

Author Jessa Hastings.

The author’s new book Never.

Days after the book was released and inundated with negative reviews, Hastings posted a statement to her personal Instagram.

“Truthfully, my heart has been so heavy and so sad these last few days as I’ve heard how these words that I intended only to bring wonder and joy, have brought any of you any pain,” Hastings wrote.

“As a storyteller, one of the greatest joys of my life to date has been creating characters who so many of you have loved and championed because of what they represent to everyone, especially us bi-racial people.”

Hastings said changes to some specific language would be implemented immediately to the Never audiobook and e-book, and in future reprints of the physical book.

“Two characters previously described with unintentionally insensitive language will now be depicted in a manner that avoids the connotations and instead focuses on their sun-exposed appearances (because Neverland has so many suns, and they’re both under them all the time),” Hastings wrote.

Hastings’ book will be updated in response to the backlash.

The author will also include a footnote to clarify the use of the term “brownie” to describe elves in the book, which has a historic folklore context.

“This week has changed the way that I’ll write moving forward, and from this point on, I’m going to be more conscious of the language I use and how it might fall upon all ears,” Hastings wrote.

The author lives in Southern California with her husband Benjamin Hastings, a prominent singer-songwriter with high-profile global Pentecostal church Hillsong.

The pair have been involved with the church for a number of years and several high profile figures associated with Hillsong posted on Hastings’ Instagram the day the book was released.

In the days before the social media outcry, prolific Hillsong Worship leader Brooke Ligertwood posted “Well done friend!”, while Hillsong musician and songwriter Hannah Hobbs wrote “So proud and cannot wait for my Amazon package to arrive”.

Hollywood actor Taylor Lautner and his wife Taylor, social media content creator couple Arielle Vandenberg and Matt Cutshall, and Hillsong worship leader Aodhan King attended an intimate celebration for the author and her close friends at a theme park for the book’s release.

THE FULL STATEMENT

“I want to talk about some of the concerns readers have brought up about specific language in Never that they felt was racially insensitive. Truthfully, my heart has been so heavy and so sad these last few days as I’ve heard how these words that I intended only to bring wonder and joy, have brought any of you any pain. As a storyteller, one of the greatest joys of my life to date has been creating characters who so many of you have loved and championed because of what they represent to everyone, especially us bi-racial people. It has been and will remain always to be my goal and intention to keep bringing you diverse, complex, beautiful, human characters who are worthy of your adoration and eyes. With all this in mind, I’ve chosen to revise three descriptions in the book. Two characters previously described with unintentionally insensitive language will now be depicted in a manner that avoids the connotations and instead focuses on their sun-exposed appearances (because Neverland has so many suns, and they’re both under them all the time). As well, the term “Brownie” will be clarified with a footnote, providing its folklore context. These will be updated immediately across ebooks, audio, and in all future reprints. This week has changed the way that I’ll write moving forward, ad from this point on, I’m going to be more conscious of the language I use and how it might fall upon all ears.”