Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 1d

This author found a publisher for his memoir, but ultimately realized it was the wrong publisher after the book released. So he took the book off the market and re-published it himself.

Learn about that, plus the Netflix adaptation releasing this week, courtesy of @sarahchauncey.com.

How a Memoir Became Netflix’s Boots | Jane Friedman

The author of The Pink Marine discusses his publishing path, writing for books versus screen, what development execs look for, and more.

janefriedman.com

1 1 8

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 4d

When I graduated with my writing degree in the late 1990s, it was still feasible to earn a living freelancing for newspapers, magazines, and other publications.

That path has all but dried up, but every once in a while, you'll find someone who is still muscling through—like @nberlat.bsky.social.

How Do Freelancers Survive Today? An Interview with a 20-Year Veteran | Jane Friedman

The landscape is very different today: publications have folded, arts coverage has dried up, and most opinion writing is on Substack.

janefriedman.com

1 2 21

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 7d

I can definitely imagine Anthropic filing for bankruptcy in the future, but not so soon they'd get out of paying the settlement. But you never know what might happen, these are unusual times.

1 2

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 8d

If you can provide evidence your contract gives you a better split, I'd provide it. The claims process gives you the opportunity to do so.

2 1

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 8d

Authors, you can now search an official database to see if your books are part of the Anthropic settlement.

My book is in there, and I just filed my claim. 💸

Search here: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup

Submit a Claim

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

2 10 17

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 9d

What if your life experiences do not necessarily translate into “good” writing? Christina Larocco describes how her writing is circular, referential, fragmented—all qualities typically identified as weaknesses.

Discovering My Brain’s Native Language | Jane Friedman

An AuDHD writer considers where her mind’s fragmentary and circular style of expression fits in a paradigm of linear storytelling.

janefriedman.com

3 2

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 10d

Any writers out there who also knit? How do you handle messing things up?

You'll enjoy this from @nitacollinswriter.bsky.social.

Knit One, Revise Two: What Being a Knitter Taught Me About Writing | Jane Friedman

Knitting and writing both teach us that mistakes can be instructive. Every dropped stitch, every tangled subplot is an invitation to learn.

janefriedman.com

3 2 15

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 15d

Absolutely delighted to be in conversation with @grammargirl.bsky.social on the topic of AI this week, for her show AI Sidequest. With AI, there is always *so* much to talk about. We cover AI scams, AI note taking, AI website builders, and more.

AI Sidequest

News about AI for writers, editors, marketers, and educators. No hype. No hate.

www.youtube.com

1 2 7

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 22d

For writers, voice matters—enormously—for a story's success. But it's an elusive thing to teach someone. What makes it powerful or intriguing or distinct? And if it’s too strong or distinctive, might it not draw attention to itself?

@tiffanyyatesmartin.bsky.social advises.

What Does It Mean to Have a Compelling Voice in Your Story? | Jane Friedman

In storytelling, voice can refer to three different elements: character voice, narrative voice, and author voice—and they can often overlap.

janefriedman.com

7 14

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 23d

Many 19th-century novels have fallen by the wayside, while Jane Austen continues to draw new readers and admirers every year. Much of her appeal may be understood in the way she built her plots.

Dissect the plot of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Robin Henry.

Writing Lessons from Jane Austen: Cause and Effect in Pride and Prejudice | Jane Friedman

While many 19th century novels have fallen by the wayside, Austen’s continual appeal may be understood in the way she built her plots.

janefriedman.com

2 4 14

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 25d

“I’m just bad at marketing.”

But why? It bears examination, says Colleen M. Story.

If Book Marketing Feels Miserable, Read This Now | Jane Friedman

Most of us feel unskilled at marketing, but real resistance to it might reveal an emotional pattern that protects us when visibility feels risky.

janefriedman.com

2 3 10

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29d

Thank you so much, Jonathan! Love seeing the book in a writer's hands. 🤓

2

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 29d

"Publishers have some great in-house teams, but I tell every author I work with: you are not the only author your publisher is doing publicity for."

Publicist Shanetta McDonald discusses what she wishes authors knew about book launches.

3 Publicity Mistakes Debut Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them) | Jane Friedman

It’s hard to execute book publicity perfectly the first time around, but there’s a lot you can do to give your project the best shot at visibility.

janefriedman.com

1 6 25

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 10

Thank you so much for coming!

2

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 10

What kind of food do your story's characters reach for when in distress? Do they have a culinary weakness or a food allergy that someone might take advantage of?

There are different ways storytellers can use food to bring their characters to life, says Karmen H. Špiljak.

Breaking Bread: The Role of Food in Building Character | Jane Friedman

Food is a powerful storytelling element that can help develop characters, and a great tool for putting ‘show, don’t tell’ into practice.

janefriedman.com

3 11

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

That matters b/c the split for copyright damages is often part of publishing contracts. Will that split be used for this settlement? I don't think anyone knows, although I predict it will create confusion and upset if authors receive wildly different amounts within publishers and across publishers.

2 8

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

Earlier today I got into a Bluesky convo about how publishers & authors will split proceeds in the Anthropic settlement. Thanks to @publisherslunch.bsky.social, I offer this reminder: the Anthropic settlement is for piracy/copyright infringement and not AI training.

1 2 10

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

I myself am still gaining clarity and education on this issue, which is immensely confusing. The Anthropic settlement is about piracy & copyright infringement—that's what you're getting paid for. Split is then determined by your contract, although will that indeed used here? I can't say.

1 1

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

Ah, understood. This will nevertheless be challenging to get across.

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

If every publisher doesn't do this, I would not be surprised to see come kind of collective action, depending on how many authors are affected.

Ghostly Bree @mostlybree.kitrocha.com · Sep 8

Update: we just received a statement from Macmillan/Tor taking full responsibility for failing to register copyright, promising to make us whole and pay us any settlement money we lost out on due to that error, and promising to find & correct the lapses that caused this.

Every pub should do this.

Ghostly Bree @mostlybree.kitrocha.com · Sep 7

this part right here is gonna create massive resentment in the industry. the copyright registration system and the fact that you apparently have to pay a bonus fee for protection from big companies pirating your work (and that tons of publishers never paid the bonus fee...)

2 8

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

Also, authors have been led to believe by the Authors Guild that AI training is not covered by standard publishing agreements and is not included in subsidiary rights. authorsguild.org/news/ai-lice...

AI Licensing for Authors: Who Owns the Rights and What’s a Fair Split? - The Authors Guild

The Authors Guild believes it is crucial that authors, not publishers or tech companies, have control over the licensing of AI rights. Authors must be able to choose whether they want to allow their w...

authorsguild.org

1 1 3

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

If splits vary considerably from publisher to publisher, I expect it to generate anger among authors, regardless of what contracts or standards say. Authors feel they are owed ... a lot. The judge did express concern authors will get shortchanged in this process.

3

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

The other challenge is that for scientific journals and other works outside of consumer publishing, the copyright or rightsholder may be the publisher alone. And the trend there is for such publishers (e.g., Wiley and university presses) to strike licensing deals. They're typically not suing.

1 2

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

I'm not a lawyer, but I imagine that pushes the boundaries of what this specific lawsuit and class action is meant to address. It's not the only lawsuit or meant to be the only. It's still gargantuan to be sure, but far from the last chance for authors to be compensated.

1 1

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Sep 9

Exactly. Pretty sure my book is in the class, but I don't know for sure, and it's annoying not to understand if I'm getting the money, if the publisher is getting the money, or who is deciding the split? I have to assume splits will be universally the same, but hard to envision everyone being happy.

1 3