Authors Guild ceo Mary Rasenberger and her staff have been actively engaged in representing authors’ interests in the battle to take back control of copyrighted work in an AI world, and monetize those rights if they choose. Speaking to PL about Harper’s new deal to license a body of backlist nonfiction works to a large AI company for authors who elect to consent, and with certain contractual guardrails in place, Rasenberger told us: “We really appreciate that Harper has taken the initiative and thought through how to protect works and keep AI from taking away from any existing value of […]
Authors
Thousands of Creators Protest Theft of Their Work By AI Companies
While awaiting the slow gears of litigation and legislation, over 10,000 creators and organizational partners from around the world have signed on to a simple statement of protest, declaring: “The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.” Among the supporting organizations is the Association of American Publishers (AAP). CEO Maria Pallante said in a press release, “What is true is that creators operate in service to a well-read, informed, and inspired global public, not the unsanctioned, unregulated profits of […]
Frankfurt Book Fair Week (Taylor’s Version)
As the trade portion of the Frankfurt Book Fair wraps up, we’re reminded (and remind you) that the biggest book news of the week had nothing to do with the trade show — and oddly has barely been mentioned in most outlets. We are speaking, of course, about Taylor Swift’s limited-edition book TAYLOR SWIFT: The Eras Tour Book, being sold exclusively at Target physical stores on November 29 (and likely to sell out before becoming available online). Everyone’s talking about it, though within the business we fear people are asking the wrong questions and/or coming to the wrong conclusions. Consider […]
Authors Guild to Promote Created by Humans
The Authors Guild and start-up AI rights licensing platform Created by Humans announced a partnership in which the Guild will promote the new service and “help us make decisions about how to best serve the author community through our platform.” AG ceo Mary Rasenberger will serve on Created by Humans’ advisory board, and the two organizations will “develop informational materials and webinars that clearly explain the terms of licenses and the fees” to authors. The Authors Guild adds that it “aims to ensure that terms are transparent to authors and that their interests are protected.” As we reported in June, […]
Obituary: Nelson DeMille, 81
Author of 23 books Nelson DeMille has died. His family said in a statement to CBS: “Nelson fought a valiant nine-month battle with esophageal cancer. True to form, he faced this ordeal with courage, grace, and good humor. We are grieving, but also celebrating his wonderful life and his lasting legacy as a father, friend, and storyteller.”
Follett Moves to Hachette
Ken Follett is changing English-language publishers, moving to Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK — after publishing with Penguin for 45 years, and with Pan Macmillan for 35 years. Follett’s next novel, due out on an unspecified date in 2025, will be published by Grand Central in the US and Quercus in the UK. The Follett Office sold rights to Ben Sevier at Grand Central (NA) and Jon Butler at Quercus (UK/Commonwealth), in a one-book deal. Follett said in the announcement, “This is the beginning of an exciting new phase for me: new publisher, new editors, new sales force. I’m […]