Textbook & Academic Authors Association Executive Director Kim Pawlak filed a letter and exhibits with the court on October 26 detailing her experience working with authors whose works are included in the Anthropic Settlement.
Warning: Internet Scam Targets Authors
An article on Medium is warning of “a widespread, fast-growing form of Internet fraud directly targeting authors — especially self-published, indie, and late-career writers.”
If you receive a “friendly” email congratulating you on your book, followed by another email asking you to pay an “administration”, “spotlight”, “honorarium contribution”, or “coordination fee”, it is a scam. Don’t fall for their claim you are missing a “valuable opportunity.”
Industry News Round-Up Week of 1/14/2026
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.
Morris Brown College Removes President (January 14, 2026)
Researchers May Be Forced to Rely on a Court You’ve Never Heard Of (January 13, 2026)
TAA Shares Results of Survey Seeking Authors’ Experiences Filing Claims in Bartz v. Anthropic Settlement
Between December 2025 and early January 2026, the Textbook & Academic Authors Association conducted a survey seeking authors’ experiences filing claims in the landmark Bartz v. Anthropic settlement. The majority of respondents 87% (52) said they were educational/textbook authors, 23% (14) said they were university press/academic authors, 8% (5) said they were trade authors, and 3% (2) were unsure which author type they were.
While a majority of respondents to the survey said they had already filed claims (31 of 60), almost the same number of respondents said they had not (29 of 60).
In Response to Motion Filed By TAA, Sage Agrees to Send Email Correcting Earlier Assertions as to Authors’ Share of Settlement Proceeds in Bartz v. Anthropic
On December 22, 2025, the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) filed a motion to intervene in the Bartz v. Anthropic case, asking for an order to require curative notice and injunctive relief by Sage Publishing after the company sent a misleading email to its authors. In that email, Sage directed its authors to claim a specific percentage of the settlement and asserted that by not doing so, the authors could delay getting their payment. After negotiating with class attorneys and with Sage about sending a curative email that addresses the main concerns detailed by TAA in the motion, TAA agreed to withdraw the motion. Sage authors should receive the curative email this week.
TAA’s motion was filed after TAA Executive Director Kim Pawlak received an email from a TAA member on December 12 forwarding an email the author received from her publisher, Sage.
TAA Issues Statement Opposing the Dismissal of the Copyright Register
The Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) Board has issued a statement opposing the dismissal of the Copyright Register. The Statement calls on the relevant authorities to reverse this decision and reinstate the Register without delay. The full text of the statement is below.
Statement by Textbook and Academic Authors Association Opposing the Dismissal of the Copyright Register
As authors of textbooks, scholarly works, and educational resources, we express deep concern over the abrupt and unexplained dismissal of the Copyright Register, Shira Perlmutter. This action threatens the integrity of the institution responsible for protecting the rights of those who create and disseminate knowledge for the public good.