Author Daniel Handler apologised for making racist remarks at the National Book Awards, held in Manhattan, on Wednesday (19th November). Handler, whose pen name is Lemony Snicket, is the author behind the popular children's series, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

44-year-old Handler was hosting the National Book Awards when he made a racist remark concerning an African American author. Whilst presenting Jacqueline Woodson with the young people's literature prize, for her novel Brown Girl Dreaming, Handler made a remark which alludes to a racist stereotype. As the Washington Post reports, Handler said "I said that if she won, I would tell all of you something I learned about her this summer - which is that Jackie Woodson is allergic to watermelon. Just let that sink in your mind."

Handler continued by expanding on his remarks, stating: "I said, 'I'm only writing a book about a black girl who's allergic to watermelon if I get a blurb from you, Cornel West, Toni Morrison and Barack Obama saying 'This guy's okay, this guy's fine.'" 

The remark, for anyone unaware of this particular stereotype, directly links to the racist belief that African Americans have an appetite for watermelons.

Footage of Handler's remark was captured and quickly spread on social media. Handler was evidently aware he had caused offensive and issued an apology via Twitter on Friday (21st November). Handler emphasised how his "humour" had been inappropriate and he did not want to distract literature lovers from the achievements of the authors who had received awards.

He further admitted his remarks were racist and decided to donate $10,000 to We Need Diverse Books. We Need Diverse Books is an organisation which aims to diversify the narratives in children's literature to ensure minority groups are represented. Handler also promised to match his followers' donations up to $100,000 over the next 24 hours.