As technological advancements accelerate, a notable paradox emerges: the increase in tool sophistication is accompanied by a measurable decline in original human thought. Dr. Olga Zbarskaya, founder and president of the OZCREDO Institute of Creative Thinking, addresses this issue in her academic bestseller, Brainstorm! Practice for Unrestricted Imagination and Original Thought. This publication serves both as a scientific treatise and a practical guide, offering a research-driven framework to reestablish human creativity as an essential resource for contemporary progress. Dr. Zbarskaya reconceptualizes creativity, positioning it not as an elusive talent but as a facet of mental fitness. Drawing upon comprehensive neurological studies and insights from over 100 interviews with international experts in music, technology, and science, Brainstorm! posits that cognitive flexibility—shifting between diverse patterns of thinking—is vital for personal and professional well-being.
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.
Industry News Round-Up Week of 11/10/25
Stay updated on the latest news, advancements, and changes that are shaping the textbook and academic authoring industry with our…
Stepping Away…
By Dr. Rocky Wallace
This is the season of year when veteran colleagues typically decide it’s time. After months of reflection, prayer, discussing with family, discussing with colleagues, doing the math, imagining what it will be like to not start back up in August, and often with eyes filled with tears–they turn in their retirement letter.
For many, their stomach churns with angst as they are humbled by the many congratulatory conversations and well-wishes…And it churns as their colleagues celebrate a lunch in their honor…It churns when they watch students in their last class exit the room…It churns as they clean out their office…It churns as they put on their regalia on graduation morning…It churns as they march into the auditorium, as so many springs before…It churns as they sit through their last graduation ceremony…And the tears flow as they drive away from campus—on their way home.
Three Actions You Can Take to Feel Happier as a Writer This Year
By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD
I’m sure many people wished you “Happy New Year.” But what does it mean when it comes to writing? In other words, what can you do to feel happier in your writing practice? To address this question, it’s essential to first define what happiness means.
According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness, happiness is to be happy in and with our lives, meaning that you (a) experience more positive emotions than negative ones, (b) feel that your life is good and meaningful, and (c) are satisfied with the progress you are making toward your life goals.