We asked the 2026 TAA Textbook Award winners why they decided to write their textbook. Whether by invitation, a strong will to start a new textbook, or happenstance, their stories will speak to you no matter where you are in your textbook writing journey.
Illustrate your writing with AI-free Comics, Part 1
By Janet Salmons, PhD
Drawings, graphics, photos, and media catch readers attention. Sometimes the images are specific to the study, such as data visualizations or tables, maps or pictures of the research setting. Sometimes they help us gain a sense of the place, culture and historical period of the book or article. But they might just be a colorful element that conveys a friendly and amusing touch. How can we create or find images that get our messages across visually?
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.”
Textbook Authors File Lawsuit Against Meta
By Kim Pawlak
On July 2, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed against Meta and Mark Zuckerberg on behalf of textbook authors whose copyrighted textbooks were used without authorization or compensation to train its large language model (LLM), Llama.
Award-winning Textbook Authors Share How to Avoid Common Challenges | Part 4
We asked the 2026 TAA Textbook Award winners what they wish they’d known before embarking on their textbook-writing journey. Whether you’re an aspiring author or already deep in the process, their advice may help you avoid common challenges and learn a few lessons the easy way.
Textbook Award Winners Share How to Choose the Right Publisher | Part 3
Finding the right publisher can be daunting, especially with so many options available. This year’s Textbook Award winners shared how they found their publishers, why they were a good fit, and what factors to consider when evaluating potential publishing partners.