Four 2026 TAA Institute for Textbook & Academic Authors presenters have been interviewed on the Defend & Publish podcast. All four will be sharing their expertise in sessions or Learning Labs at this mini-conference, which takes place June 12 and 13, and is aimed at providing both new and veteran textbook and academic authors a deep dive into topics such as AI and authoring, navigating DEI issues, contracts, publishing in the modern age, and more. Get $50 off registration with code DP26.
2026 TAA Institute Featured Book, ‘A Neuroarthistory of The Painters of Modern Life: Embodying Baudelairean Modernity’
sing a transdisciplinary method combining art history, literary studies, and neuroaesthetics, A Neuroarthistory of The Painters of Modern Life Embodying Baudelairean Modernity by Lauren S. Weingarden, examines the modern urban experience of nineteenth-century Paris through language and images of fragmentation and transformation.The volume includes new empirical research conducted in collaboration with neuropsychologists, which tracks present-day viewers’ physical and psychological responses to nineteenth-century painting and photography, thus providing data to model an experiential aesthetic for Baudelairean modernity.
2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book: ‘Voices of Rural Leadership: True Stories of Success in Education’
Voices of Rural Leadership: True Stories of Success in Education, by Joseph ‘Rocky’ F. Wallace, Kevin Hub, Robert Stafford, and Franklin Thomas, features authentic accounts from a distinguished group of educators and community learners who are deeply committed to serving students and families in rural America. Each story aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and offers practical insight, inspiration, and proven strategies. Whether you are a leadership faculty member, aspiring administrator, or seasoned practitioner, this book is a valuable resource for fostering growth, resilience, and innovation in educational leadership.
2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book, ‘Business and Technical Writing for the Real World: Skills You Can Use Now’
Business and Technical Writing for the Real World by Sean Brierley is a professional writing guide for a broad array of students, including engineers and business majors, not just English majors. The text is designed to be modular, so its chapters need not be used sequentially and can fit your teaching style. The book features a table of contents, an index, and a glossary. Chapter contents include discussion and frequent examples of brainstorming, organization, structure, grammar, citing, trademarks, resumes and job hunting, graphics, and artificial intelligence. Communication channels and tools discussed include presentations, social media, video conferencing, reports, and general computer best practices.
2026 TAA Institute Keynote: How the AI Revolution is Impacting the Future of Textbook & Academic Publishing
Published academic book author and futurist Bryan Alexander will present the 2026 Michael Sullivan Lecture Keynote, “How the AI Revolution is Impacting the Future of Textbook & Academic Publishing,” at the Textbook & Academic Authors Association’s 2026 TAA Institute for Textbook and Academic Authors on Friday, June 12. This interactive and engaging talk will explore emerging and potential AI uses in the textbook world, including:
- Publishers using it to create or assist in making manuscript reviews, indexes, art, and marketing
- Developing bots for reader interactions with materials
- Authors rapidly creating textbooks with AI
- Questions around content licensing, AI and copyright
- Sustained academic and popular opposition to general AI
He will conclude with several scenarios for possible textbook futures. Learn more or register
2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book ‘Service Excellence in Higher Education: True Stories of Servant Leadership’
Service Excellence in Higher Education: True Stories of Servant Leadership, co-edited by Dr. Joseph Michelli; Dr. Joseph Hopkins; Dr. Bill Budai; Dr. Rocky Wallace, is a warm and engaging collection of stories of servant-leadership in action. Serving others has long been at the heart of Kentucky’s Campbellsville University, and this book contains inspiring true stories written by many of its educational leaders. Each chapter is grounded in first-hand servant-leadership experiences and concludes with thoughtful questions for further reflection. Service Excellence in Higher Education is a beautiful example of the head, hands, and heart of servant leadership working together, for the benefit of all. It deserves to be read by servant-leaders everywhere.”Larry C. Spears, Author, educator, executiveSenior Advisory Editor, The International Journal of Servant-LeadershipServant-Leadership Scholar, Gonzaga University