mastodon 4.8.0-nightly.2026-10-06Authors working together to ensure fair pay, protect copyright, and defend free speech.
We are introducing FOUR new model clauses concerning #AI to our Model Trade Book Contract and Model Literary Translation Contract.
In addition to the recent clause preventing the use of books in training generative AI without an author’s express permission, the new clauses require an author’s written consent for their publisher to use AI-generated book translations, audiobook narration, or cover art.
https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-introduces-new-publishing-agreement-clauses-concerning-ai/
“This is America. We are supposed to celebrate all the freedoms that we have. One is the freedom to read.”
Author Judy Blume talks to Page Six about standing up to book censorship, the freedom to read, and more.
https://pagesix.com/2023/05/01/author-judy-blume-talks-book-bans-freedom-to-read/
“You don’t have the right to say nobody’s kid can read this book.”
8 novels by Nora Roberts have been taken out of a Florida school district's libraries, largely the result of a Moms for Liberty activist.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/28/ron-desantis-book-ban-nora-roberts-florida/
The Authors Guild exists to support working writers.
Learn what we're doing about AI:
https://authorsguild.org/advocacy/artificial-intelligence/
Join us to stop book banning:
https://authorsguild.org/resource/stop-book-bans-toolkit/
See all our advocacy work:
https://authorsguild.org/advocacy/
We have long objected to non-compete clauses and advised their removal in our contract reviews. They are purportedly designed to protect publishers’ investments by preventing authors from selling the same/similar work to another publisher.
https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-supports-proposed-ftc-ban-on-non-compete-clauses/
Join us as we examine and explain our model literary option agreement for film and television. We'll discuss common terms and rates, how authors might negotiate an agreement, and more!
REGISTER FREE: https://authorsguild.org/event/film-tv-options-what-authors-should-know/
Illinois is the first state to ban book bans.
https://bookriot.com/illinois-to-become-first-state-to-ban-book-bans/
We stand in solidarity with our fellow writers and members of the Writers Guild of America. #WGASTRIKE
https://authorsguild.org/news/statement-of-solidarity-with-writers-guild-of-america/
We joined 45+ orgs led by Freedom of the Press and Committee to Protect Journalists calling for Buncombe County DA to end the prosecution of two journalists convicted of the “crime” of recording newsworthy police conduct at a public park.
#WPFD2023 #WPFD #WorldPressFreedomDay
https://freedom.press/news/more-than-45-orgs-call-to-drop-charges-against-asheville-journalists/
The latest Book Riot roundup of book censorship news (and the list just keeps getting longer...).
https://bookriot.com/next-generation-united-daughters-of-the-confederacy/
The proposed House Bill 1804 in Texas would allow the State Board of Education to deny textbooks for students below 9th grade if proven to include content about sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual activity.
The ALA's 13 most banned books of 2022 include titles like OUT OF DARKNESS by Ashley Hope Perez, THIS BOOK IS GAY by Juno Dawson, THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison, and more.
https://ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
"We are...in a unique position to shape a collective story...that can ensure writers everywhere can be represented. Literary culture will be richer for it."
We're so excited to welcome Maya Shanbhag Lang as president of the Authors Guild!
https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-members-elect-maya-shanbhag-lang-president/
"Controlled digital lending is basically book piracy. I really compare that to somebody who throws a brick through a bookstore window and then passes out the books for free and then expects to be congratulated for his generosity." --Douglas Preston
https://abc7news.com/internet-archive-lawsuit-sf-digital-library-online-free/13080303/
Our Banned Books Club is switching books. We're reading and talking about THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison.
Join the conversation. Sign up for FREE!
https://fable.co/club/authors-guild-banned-books-club-with-david-levithan-379104064053
We're delighted to present "On Stage with John Irving," moderated by our own Doug Preston, on Saturday night, 5/20 at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival!
We'll also be co-sponsoring a reception, "Celebrating New Mexico Writers" on Thursday, 5/18.
Monday's oral arguments pertaining to Hachette v. Internet Archive exposed several legal defects in the CDL theory which we have identified and explained over the years.
Giving CDL the patina of legality would also open the floodgates for anyone — even pirate sites — to claim fair use.
Human artistry and creation are the foundation of our culture and our lives. There may be a part for AI to play, but never at the expense of artists and creators. Join us and support our #AIprinciples today.
Representing small and independent business owners as well as major creative industries, we are joining the Protect the Creative Economy Coalition to #ProtectTheCreativeEconomy from attacks on intellectual property.
