Many thanks for reporting the Royal Society of Literature’s recent inauguration of 40 new fellows aged under 40 (Literary society turns page on male, pale and stale era, 29 June). In the light of current debates about diversity, as a fellow and as a member of the RSL’s council that voted for the new fellows, I want to stress that our criterion was literary excellence. I can’t say the same for your choice of ad on the opposite page, for a dish by Cheekybeef.com, headed “Strip Teas”, the image featuring a chunk of juicy flesh on the prongs of a fork and wording reading: “the meal you’ve been pining for. It’s lean, it’s seductive, and it’s ready for ravaging … What’s not to like?” Cliche alert!
Michèle Roberts
London
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