TAA members Brenda Ulrich and Zick Rubin, publishing and intellectual property attorneys with Archstone Law Group, PC, were named to the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®.
Brenda is recognized in the areas of Education Law and Media Law. Zick is recognized in the areas of Copyright Law and Education Law. Recognition by Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by their peers.
By Charles Corbin
Any of us who have served in academia, especially those who are at research intensive universities, are aware of the many anti-text arguments. Numerous hours are spent in tenure, promotion, and salary (merit raise) meetings debating what “counts” as scholarship and what doesn’t. Often textbooks are discounted. In a journal article published in Kinesiology Review in 2022, The Importance of Textbooks in Kinesiology, my coauthors, Hyeonho Yu, Diane L. Gill, and I, offer a historical perspective on the role of textbooks in physical education and kinesiology. The historical perspective provides a base for the discussion of topics related to the value of textbooks in our field and more broadly in all fields.
A big thank you to Archstone Law Group PC for sponsoring the 2025 TAA Virtual Conference on Textbook & Academic Authoring at the Bronze level.
Brenda Ulrich, also TAA’s Board Secretary, is a partner at Archstone, and is an intellectual property attorney who focuses on publishing, higher education, copyright and trademark law. Brenda represents authors negotiating and interpreting publishing agreements, agency agreements, and joint author agreements. She also advises colleges and universities on the development and implementation of intellectual property policies, navigating copyright questions related to teaching and scholarship, as well as managing and defending college and university trademark portfolios.
TAA offers two forms of grants to assist U.S. authors with some of the expenses related to publishing their academic works and textbooks: Publication Grants and Textbook or Academic Contract Review Grants.
Members in their first year can apply for grants of up to $500, and members in their second year or later of membership can apply for grants of up to $1,000. Members are eligible for one award every two years. Publication Grants provide reimbursement for eligible expenses directly related to bringing an academic book, textbook, or journal article to publication.
TAA member Dr. Wendi Zimmer, PhD, a mindset expert, writing consultant, and Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. is writing a book titled, The Force Continuum: How to Shift Your Mindset to Transform Your Life, which will contain simple strategies to be who you were made to be and develop your force.
“The Force Continuum is a series of four pillars (mindset, identity, energy, and habits) that when strengthened, allow us to apply the information we already know to believe in ourselves and take control of our lives,” said Zimmer. The book’s release date is January 10, 2025. Congratulations, Wendi!
Stay updated on the latest news, advancements, and changes that are shaping the textbook and academic authoring industry with our bi-weekly Industry News Roundup. Have an item to share? Email Sierra.Pawlak@TAAonline.net.
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