The Authors Guild’s Open Letter to Generative AI Leaders calls on the CEOs of OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, and IBM to obtain consent, credit, and fairly compensate writers for the use of copyrighted materials in training AI. Sign now to voice your support. For more information on the Authors Guild’s positions, visit authorsguild.org/AI.
2023 TAA Virtual Conference Attracted 120 Registrants, Received Rave Reviews
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2023 TAA Conference on Textbook and Academic Authoring June 9-10. 

More than 120 academic authors, textbook authors, and industry professionals participated in the two-day virtual conference, which received rave reviews, including:

”Thank you for an engaging and helpful session! Your specific examples from your own life were especially helpful, as well as the activities that made me think about my own writing.” (Empowering Joyful Writing by Tracey Hodges) – Jennifer Nelson
“Took away some great ideas for giving feedback to doctoral students but also what and when to ask for feedback myself.” (The Feedback Conundrum: How to Ask for What You Want to Get What You Need, by Wendi Zimmer and Erin McTigue) – Donna Elkins
Academic Publisher Conducting Qualitative Research Project Needs Your Help Â
Academic publisher De Gruyter is seeking humanities and social science authors willing to share their experiences publishing a book with an academic publisher and/or their plans to publish in the future as part of a qualitative research study they are conducting.
The study includes a 50-60-minute interview following a short survey that qualifies and prepares you for the interview process. Those who complete the qualitative interview will receive a $75 Amazon voucher. De Gruyter is being assisted in the research project by Prolifiko Consulting, owned by TAA member Christine Tulley. Complete the survey
Karen and Bill Timberlake Receive 2023 Alumni Legacy Award From UCLA
UCLA alumni Karen Timberlake (M.S. ’65) and William Timberlake (M.S. ’66) received the 2023 Alumni Legacy Award at the Chemistry & Biochemistry Departmental Awards Ceremony on May 31.
The award honors distinguished UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry alumni who have received a graduate-level degree from our department, in recognition of their achievements in life, and generous support and service to UCLA.
At the ceremony, the award was presented to the Timberlakes by Department Chair Professor Neil Garg and former Department Chair Professor Catherine Clarke, who helped to establish the award in 2018.
A.D. (After Dissertation): How to have a life
A motivational truism says that the most dangerous time is when you’ve reached a goal. This may be why many doctoral candidates experience Post-Parting Depression (PPD). Consciously and unconsciously, you’ve been pushing so hard for so long. Preoccupied with the intensity and innumerable details of the work itself, you may have lost sight of the larger purpose of the dissertation and degree. After graduation, you no longer have to spend every moment (after eating) on the dissertation.
Most clients I’ve helped in my dissertation editing and coaching practice experience this void. For a year or usually more, they say, they’ve wished for nothing but to finish the durn thing. Now that they have . . . somehow, and with shock, they miss it—and get depressed.
Writing an accomplishment list and why you should do it
An accomplishment list is a writing activity that:
- Does not take much time.
- No one has to see, judge, or review it (other than you).
- Holds incredible value in terms of motivation for you.
Doesn’t that sound like a great writing activity? Not only is it great, but I would argue that it is necessary to keep motivation in your work throughout the year.