Cengage Seeking to Engage with Authors Regarding New Digital Royalty Allocations Post-Lawsuit

By Kim Pawlak, TAA Executive Director

Following ​a ​$20.9 million settlement of a class action lawsuit ​o​ver allegedly underpaid ​author royalties​, ​Cengage is now seeking to engage with its authors regarding new Digital Royalty Allocations (DRA) of royalties from digital courseware relating to their titles. Catherine Schnurr, the publisher’s director of product strategy and operations, sent letters to Cengage authors in March, asking them to contact their Author Relations Managers to schedule a meeting to discuss how the publisher has calculated their DRA in the past and how they will calculate it going forward.

In the letter, Schnurr states: “Your active participation in this process is valued and will help ensure your voice is heard, and your past efforts and future contributions are recognized.” She also said that Cengage is “now focused on strengthening our close partnership with authors,” and “intends to be as transparent as possible” about past and future DRA calculations. She added that “depending on your individual circumstances, the new calculation could result in an increase or decrease to your DRA.”

Industry News Round-Up Week of 4/7/25

Stay updated on the latest news, advancements, and changes that are shaping the textbook and academic authoring industry with our bi-weekly Industry News Round-Up. Have an item to share? Email Sierra.Pawlak@TAAonline.net.


State-Imposed Tuition Freezes Come With Unintended Costs for Students (April 9, 2025)

IHEP Sues Over McMahon’s Cuts to Institute of Education Sciences (April 8, 2025)

Trump Admin. Funding Cuts Could Hit Efforts to Restore School Libraries (April 7, 2025)

Mastering Consistency: The Power of a Style Guide

By Robert Christopherson

A key to facilitate the flow of manuscript through the production process is an author-prepared Style Guide, or Editorial Style Guide, specific to the author’s book. The Style Guide is sent along with the manuscript to editors, project managers, CEs, and DEs. The Guide adds efficiency to the writing process and eliminates countless back-and-forth to check what the author wants and prefers.

There are several comprehensive published style guides available. For the past 35 years, I found the The Chicago Manual of Style most helpful, now in its 18/e. I think I first used the 1969, 12/e.  The first edition of the CMOS was 1906. What I am suggesting here is a short, personalized Style Guide, specific to your writing. My texts are in Earth systems science and physical geography. Your guide will vary depending on your subject discipline.

2025 TAA Conference Bookstore Featured Book: ‘Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen’

Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album-by-Album, Song-by-Song is an authoritative guide coauthored by renowned music scholar Kenneth Womack and music historian Kenneth L. Campbell and offering an in-depth exploration of Bruce Springsteen’s musical legacy. Covering Springsteen’s entire discography, from Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. to Only the Strong Survive, this unique book combines historical context, literary analysis, and meticulous research.

Purchase in the 2025 TAA Conference Bookstore

TAA Announces 2025 Textbook Award Winners

Fifty-four textbooks have been awarded 2025 Textbook Awards by the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA). Nineteen textbooks received William Holmes McGuffey Longevity Awards, 19 textbooks received Textbook Excellence Awards, and 16 textbooks received Most Promising New Textbook Awards.

The McGuffey Longevity Award recognizes textbooks and learning materials whose excellence has been demonstrated over time. The Textbook Excellence Award recognizes excellence in current textbooks and learning materials. The Most Promising New Textbook Award recognizes excellence in 1st edition textbooks and learning materials. Congratulations, winners!

All are welcome to attend the 2025 Virtual Textbook Awards Ceremony, which will be held Friday, April 25, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Register here

2025 TAA Conference Bookstore Featured Book: ‘Apparel Production Terms and Processes’

Apparel Production Terms and Processes (Third Edition) by Janace Bubonia defines materials and terms relating to global mass production of raw materials, design and development, garment details and component parts, sizing and fit, patternmaking tools methods and computer technology, pre-production operations, assembly, production and manufacturing, labeling regulations, testing and quality control, inspection, finishing, and packaging.

Purchase in the 2025 TAA Conference Bookstore