While the final settlement in the landmark $1.5 billion copyright infringement class action Bartz v. Anthropic was finalized by the court on July 20, Class Counsel said class members will not begin receiving payments until at least the end of the year. Payments could be further delayed, they said, if anyone files an appeal of the court’s decision before the 30-day appeal period that ends on August 19. Payments will also be made in two stages, roughly 70% in the first stage and 30% in the second, as Anthropic will be making settlement payments in installments through September 2027.

If no appeals are filed, an online portal will be launched by the end of August that contains claimants’ consolidated claim forms. The portal will include the title of each work, its copyright number, the names of other claimants and the percentages each are claiming. If the claim percentages match for all claimants of a work, said Class Counsel, funds will be dispersed via the method submitted by each claimant. ACH and wire payments are preferred. If you have not provided payment information to the Settlement Administrator, JND, contact them at (877) 206-2314 or info@AnthropicCopyrightSettlement.com. You do not have to wait until the portal is available before requesting a report on your claim. You can contact JND at the contact information above. If an appeal is filed, according to Class Counsel, the claims process will be on pause temporarily until they can determine how to proceed.

If percentages claimed do not match, e.g., if you and your publisher each claim 100%, Class Counsel said claimants can reach out to each other directly to resolve, or contact JND, which will serve as an intermediary with the goal of reaching a compromise between the claimants. During this “meet and confer” process, authors can also ask JND to share a note with other claimants (including the publisher) that supports their claim, ask for a copy of their publishing contract, or ultimately if no compromise can be reached, request that their claim be submitted to the Special Master for review and final decision. Once the claim reaches the Special Master, all communications with claimants will go through the Special Master, rather than JND, according to Class Counsel.

While the details of each claim will be confidential, Class Counsel will issue a publicly available accounting at the end of the claims process that identifies all claimants and the total dollar amount each received from the settlement. However, whether the Special Master was involved will not be made public.

​View TAA’s guidance for educational authors on how to navigate the meet and confer process in the event fellow claimants don’t agree on the percentage split. This guidance is available for TAA members only. Not a member? Join for only $30.

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Writing can be emotionally challenging. You have probably experienced this yourself. As writers, we often feel frustrated when we cannot find the right words to express our thoughts and ideas, annoyed when we get stuck, lost when we are unsure where our ideas are leading, confused when we struggle to connect them, and disappointed when our work is rejected. The emotional challenges of writing can seem endless.

Have you ever experienced any of these emotions as a writer? I bet you have.

In The Secret Life of Pronouns, James W. Pennebaker discusses research on expressive writing, which he defines as writing openly and honestly about one’s deepest thoughts and feelings concerning emotionally significant or stressful experiences. His research has shown that people who engaged in expressive writing often experience a wide range of benefits, including stronger immune system, improved physical health, fewer physician visits in the months following the writing sessions, reduced depressive symptoms and psychological distress, improved mood, greater optimism, and increased social engagement, openness, and more positive interactions with others.

These findings suggest that expressive writing truly works. But why?

Here are two main reasons based on Pennebaker’s work:

1. Writing releases emotional tension.

Suppressing difficult thoughts and emotions requires considerable mental effort and creates chronic stress, which can negatively affect both your physical and psychological health. Writing honestly about painful or stressful experiences reduces the need for emotional inhibition, allowing both the mind and body to function more efficiently. In other words, when you write about what is troubling you, you release some of that emotional tension, often leaving you feeling calmer and more at ease.

2. Writing transforms chaotic experiences into a coherent narrative.

Stressful experiences are often stored as disconnected memories, emotions, and thoughts. Expressive writing encourages you to organize these fragments into a meaningful story by connecting events, emotions, and their consequences. This process helps you better understand what happened and why it affected you. Based on Pennebaker’s research findings, you can benefit more from expressive writing when you use insight words (e.g., realize, understand, know, and recognize) and causal words (e.g., because, reason, why, and therefore). These words signal that you are making connections, identifying patterns, and constructing meaning from the experience. As you develop a coherent narrative, experiences that once felt confusing or overwhelming begin to make sense.

The next time you encounter a difficult moment in your writing, consider journaling about it. As you write, try using insight and causal phrases such as:

• I realize that…
• It dawns on me that…
• I see that…
• Now I understand…
• That’s why…
• That’s because…

These phrases encourage you to reflect more deeply and connect ideas, helping you move from simply describing an experience to understanding it. Expressive writing can help you integrate difficult experiences, construct meaning from it, and gain clarity about situations that initially seemed confusing or senseless. Beyond improving your understanding of yourself, it may also contribute to better physical health, greater emotional well-being, and a more positive outlook on life.

Reference

Pennebaker, J. W. (2011). The secret life of pronouns: What our words say about us. Bloomsbury Press.

Angelica Ribeiro is a writer, researcher, and professor. She is the author of How to Create Happiness at Work, Running into Happiness, and My Happiness Habit Journal. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on English as a second language from Texas A&M University. She has taught English learners and preservice teachers in the United States and Brazil for over 25 years. Angelica has several publications on second language acquisition. She works as a professor in higher education and helps others benefit from her happiness research. When she was a Ph.D. student, Angelica struggled with balancing her academic commitments and personal life, which motivated her to embark on a journey to increase happiness. Her journey was so successful that now she encourages others to create happiness in their busy lives by sharing science-based strategies. Visit https://www.creatinghappiness.today

The post How Writing Can Get You Unstuck appeared first on Abstract.

What did you learn in the process of writing a textbook that you wish you had known before you started?

A: John Hall, co-author of Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (15e) and winner of the McGuffey Longevity Award (co-authored with Michael Hall):

“Three important things that I learned early in writing the book were the following: 

1) Start early – it takes more time that one might imagine to sift through the rapidly expanding medical literature and incorporate the most important new principles; 

2) keep in mind that we are writing mainly for students; and 

3) the text length must be limited so that the book can be used effectively in physiology courses for students and health care professionals.”

A: Tom Leslie, co-author of Design-Tech: Building Science for Architects (3e) and winner of the Textbook Excellence Award (co-authored with Rob Whitehead and Jason Alread):

“[Our textbook] has now been through three completely new editions, so we’ve added or rewritten virtually every chapter in the latest version. What’s really become clear over the 20 years we’ve been working on it is how quickly technology changes, and how quickly the profession has evolved. Information about energy consumption and carbon footprints in the first edition seemed slightly radical (for 2005). Now, those are two of the most important considerations architects face when making design decisions.”

A: Menzie Chinn, co-author of International Economics, International Trade, International Finance (1e) and winner of the Textbook Excellence Award (co-authored with Douglas Irwin):

“One has to ensure that all the essential fundamentals — definitions, terms, concepts, and history — are addressed directly somewhere in the text, so that the reader can understand without having to refer to other sources, but do so without making the text too encyclopedic.”

A: Charles Desnoyers and Peter von Sivers, co-authors of Patterns of World History (5e) and winners of the Textbook Excellence Award:

“How to shape our prose so that it would be easily comprehensible to freshmen, without losing any scholarly depth. As friends we also learned quite a bit about collaboration in service of a common goal. Finally, as academics used to writing research books and articles, all three of us were pleasantly surprised—and at times challenged—by the high degree of rigor demanded by the reviewers and editors—as many as 16 reviewers per chapter in some cases—on content, pedagogical issues, adaptability to student needs and circumstances, and marketability.”

The post Award-winning Textbook Authors Share How to Avoid Common Challenges | Part 4 appeared first on Abstract.

Getting our writing done has a lot to do with how we respond to expectations. Here’s why.

As writers, we are constantly expected to meet different expectations. For example, we may be expected to write about a particular topic, publish in a certain journal, submit by a specific deadline, or complete a project in a certain format. With so many expectations, writing can become overwhelming if we don’t have strategies to help us manage them. However, before looking for strategies, we need to understand ourselves better and identify what approaches are most effective for us.

Gretchen Rubin developed the Four Tendencies—a personality framework that focuses on one important aspect of human behavior: how people respond to expectations. According to Rubin, there are two kinds of expectations: outer  expectations, which are expectations placed on us by others (e.g., a work assignment, a journal submission deadline, or a writing commitment), and inner expectations, which are expectations we place on ourselves (e.g., the desire to exercise regularly or write every day).

Based on how people respond to outer and inner expectations, they tend to fall into one of four categories or tendencies: Upholder, Questioner, Obliger or Rebel. According to Rubin, as shown in the image, the Four Tendencies overlap. While people may display characteristics of more than one tendency, their primary tendency reflects their core pattern of responding to inner and outer expectations.

Below I briefly describe each tendency, common writing challenges associated with each one, and strategies that can help writers complete their projects (Rubin, 2017). As you read, consider which tendency best describes you.*

Image Source: https://gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies/

Upholder: Meets both outer and inner expectations

Upholders readily meet both external and internal expectations.

Main characteristics:

• Demonstrate self-starting, high motivation, and consistent reliability
• Meet deadlines and follow through commitments
• Maintain routines and personal goals
• Want to understand others’ expectations while also valuing their own expectations
• Enjoy schedules, to-do lists, and established systems
• Excel at following plans and completing tasks
• Require little supervision, reminders, or external pressure to stay on track
• Rarely fall behind on responsibilities

Writing challenges:

• May struggle when expectations are unclear or when a writing project lacks structure or a defined process.

Strategies for writers:

• Create a detailed writing schedule (e.g., writing time: Monday-Friday, 6:30-7:30 a.m.)
• Use milestones and checklists (e.g., break a book or article into sections, track progress)
• Define the finish line (e.g., set a deadline for first draft to be completed)

Questioner: Meets inner expectations but resists outer expectations

Questioners tend to meet expectations when they understand the reasoning behind them.

Main characteristics:

• Question expectations and seek justification
• Follow expectations when they make sense
• Customize approaches based on their own needs
• Look for efficient solutions
• Value research, evidence, and information
• Make decisions based on logic and available information
• Commit fully once convinced of the right approach
• Enjoy sharing knowledge and resources
• Ask questions frequently, sometimes appearing uncooperative

Writing challenges:

• May spend too much time researching, analyzing, or questioning the writing process or content to include instead of moving forward.

Strategies for writers:

• Define the purpose behind the project (e.g., write a “Why this matters” statement, connect the project to a larger goal)
• Limit information gathering (e.g., decide how many sources are necessary before beginning)
• Create a personalized writing system (e.g., experiment with writing times, session lengths, and routines)

Obliger: Meets outer expectations but resists inner expectations

Obligers readily meet expectations from others but may struggle to follow through on personal
goals without accountability.

Main characteristics:

• Keep promises to others but struggle to keep promises to themselves
• Need external accountability, even for personal goals
• Readily support and help others
• Feel a strong sense of responsibility toward other’s expectations
• Often go the extra mile for others
• Respond well to deadlines, support, and accountability systems

Writing challenges:

• May have strong intentions to write but struggle to prioritize writing when no one else is depending on them.

Strategies for writers:

• Create accountability (e.g., join a writing group or share progress with someone)
• Transform personal goals into responsibilities (e.g., shift from “I want to finish my book” to “My readers are waiting for this book.”)
• Build accountability systems (e.g., schedule weekly check-ins or writing appointments)

Rebel: Resists both outer and inner expectations

Rebels value freedom and are motivated by choice rather than expectations.

Main characteristics:

• Act because they choose to, not because they are told to
• Prefer flexibility and independence
• Resist rules, schedules, and pressure
• Often challenge traditional approaches
• Think creatively and outside the box
• Value spontaneity and autonomy
• Respond well to the information-consequence-choice framework

Writing challenges:

• May resist writing schedules, routines, or external pressure.

Strategies for writers:

• Frame writing as a choice (e.g., replace “I have to write today.” with “I choose to write because this expresses what I care about.”)
• Connect writing to identify (e.g., “I am a writer who explores meaningful questions.”)
• Create choices or choose from them (e.g., “Do I want to write this morning or afternoon?” or “Do I want to draft or revise today?”)

Once you identify your tendency, you can apply strategies that support the way you naturally respond to expectations. You can use the strategies above or develop your own based on your tendency’s strengths and challenges. The goal is not to force yourself into a particular system but to create a writing process that works with your tendency. Understanding how you respond to expectations can help you complete your writing projects in a way that feels more effective, sustainable, and enjoyable.

Reference

Rubin, G. (2017). The four tendencies: The indispensable personality profiles that reveal how to make your life better (and other people’s lives better, too). Harmony Books.

*If you aren’t sure what your tendency is, you can take the Four Tendencies quiz at https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/

Angelica Ribeiro is a writer, researcher, and professor. She is the author of How to Create Happiness at Work, Running into Happiness, and My Happiness Habit Journal. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on English as a second language from Texas A&M University. She has taught English learners and preservice teachers in the United States and Brazil for over 25 years. Angelica has several publications on second language acquisition. She works as a professor in higher education and helps others benefit from her happiness research. When she was a Ph.D. student, Angelica struggled with balancing her academic commitments and personal life, which motivated her to embark on a journey to increase happiness. Her journey was so successful that now she encourages others to create happiness in their busy lives by sharing science-based strategies. Visit https://www.creatinghappiness.today

The post How Understanding Your Tendency Can Help You Finish Your Writing Projects appeared first on Abstract.

Academic Freedom at UT ‘Being Dismantled,’ Says Professor Denied Tenure (July 22, 2026)

Portland State Will Lay Off 36 Employees, Close 2 Departments (July 21, 2026)

Trump Administration Can’t Cite Changed Priorities to Terminate Grants (July 21, 2026)

‘A razor’s edge’: How colleges are navigating civil rights probes under Trump (July 20, 2026)

The New “Book Club” Scam Targeting Authors and How to Spot It (November 26, 2025)

The post Industry News Round-Up Week of 7/20/26 appeared first on Abstract.

Demonstrate your professional excellence and support the authoring community by submitting a proposal today!

We are seeking sessions designed for a live environment and educational in nature, specifically in areas like:

• How to get started
• Copyright infringement
• eBooks
• Grant writing
• Finding/Identifying a publisher
• Pedagogy ……and many others!

To learn more about submitting a proposal, please click here. You will need to create a Cvent account or log into an existing Cvent account to submit a proposal.

Thank you for your consideration in submitting a conference proposal.

The post Submit a Proposal for the 2027 Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference appeared first on Abstract.

On July 20, 2026, United States District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin approved the final settlement in the landmark $1.5 billion copyright infringement class action Bartz v. Anthropic, calling the settlement “fair, reasonable, and adequate.” The court also ruled that the proposed settlement “was negotiated at arm’s length; the relief provided for the Class is adequate; and the proposed Settlement treats Class Members equitably relative to each other.” She overruled all 53 objections filed with the court opposing the settlement on various grounds.

Class counsel reported a 91.3% claims rate, and 350 valid opt-outs representing 1,802 or .03% of the total number of Works.

The court reaffirmed the process for resolution of any disputes, which is that any that “cannot be resolved by mutual agreement with the settlement administrator” will be submitted to the Special Master, and that all submissions “should remain confidential and under seal.” All decisions by the Special Master will be “final and binding without a right of appeal.”

Although the court found class representatives Andrea Bartz, Kirk Wallace, and Charles Graeber “have adequately represented the Class,” it rejected their request for each to receive $50,000 of the settlement funds, reducing the amount to $15,000 each.

The court denied Class Counsel’s requested 12.5 percent of the $1.5 billion settlement fund, which would have resulted in legal fees in the amount of $187,500,000, as too high. The court instead granted them a multiplier of their reported legal fees for a total payment of $101,561,111, plus expense reimbursements of close to $3 million, with a cost reserve of $18.2 million in anticipated expenses for the claims administration process.

There is a 30-day window from July 20 during which people can try to appeal the judge’s order, so no payouts would occur until at least after that date. TAA is in communication with class counsel and will provide more information as we have it.

Read the full Final Order.

The post Bartz v Anthropic Granted Final Approval by the Court appeared first on Abstract.

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.”

Read the full article

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While ​class members await United States District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin’s approval of the final settlement in the landmark $1.5 billion copyright infringement class action Bartz v. Anthropic, class attorney Rohit Nath​, a partner at Susman Godfrey, said class members can reach out to the claims administrator for a report on their claim. That report, he said, includes “any other parties that have filed claims on their work and the requested percentages.”

Nath said that other than ​r​equesting that report, there is nothing for class members to do ​c​urrently, “unless they get direct communication from JND [the claims administrator] about their claim form (e.g., asking about missing info, identity verification, etc.).”

​To receive a report on your claim, reach out to claims administrator JND at (877) 206-2314 or info@AnthropicCopyrightSettlement.com.

​View TAA’s guidance for educational authors on how to navigate the meet and confer process in the event fellow claimants don’t agree on the percentage split.

The post Class Members in Anthropic Settlement Can Request Report on Their Claim appeared first on Abstract.