Victoria Strauss
@victoriastrauss.com
Adult/YA novelist, fanatical gardener, co-founder of SFWA's publishing industry watchdog group Writer Beware. Casting a small light in a wilderness of writing scams (plus an occasional cat pic)
https://writerbeware.blog
https://victoriastrauss.com
https://writerbeware.blog
https://victoriastrauss.com
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
🚨 We’re hearing that Senate Democrats are on the verge of caving to Trump in another “Schumer Surrender.”
That means your Democratic senators need to hear from you right now.
Call: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Email: act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
That means your Democratic senators need to hear from you right now.
Call: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Email: act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
🚨 We’re hearing that Senate Democrats are on the verge of caving to Trump in another “Schumer Surrender.”
That means your Democratic senators need to hear from you right now.
Call: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Email: act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
That means your Democratic senators need to hear from you right now.
Call: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Email: act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
Today's the deadline to register for @sfwa.org's fall online Nebula event, Quasar, which takes place November 15 and 16. If you took part in this year's Nebula Conference there's no cost to register. 1/ membership.sfwa.org/event-6301796
November 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today's the deadline to register for @sfwa.org's fall online Nebula event, Quasar, which takes place November 15 and 16. If you took part in this year's Nebula Conference there's no cost to register. 1/ membership.sfwa.org/event-6301796
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
Predatory Opt-Outs: The Speculators Come for the Anthropic Copyright Settlement - Writer Beware
The enormous, $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright class action settlement is reputedly the biggest copyright infringement recovery in history. With such a high-profile case, it’s inevitable that eligible...
writerbeware.blog
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
This seems promising
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This seems promising
A sad, sad chatbot apologizing for targeting me repeatedly with a marketing scam intended for someone else
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A sad, sad chatbot apologizing for targeting me repeatedly with a marketing scam intended for someone else
New report on writers and the use of gen AI and their views of it, including an entirely predictable set of reactions from fiction writers who do/don't use AI in their work www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
New Report Examines Writers’ Attitudes toward AI
A study commissioned by the Gotham Ghostwriters and Bernoff.com found that while 61% of professional writers are embracing AI tools, authors, specifically fiction authors, are much more wary.
www.publishersweekly.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
New report on writers and the use of gen AI and their views of it, including an entirely predictable set of reactions from fiction writers who do/don't use AI in their work www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
From our friends over at @404media.co, a look at the closure of Baker & Taylor and the ripple effect it’s been having on libraries:
Libraries Scramble for Books After Giant Distributor Shuts Down
Why it might have been and may continue to be harder to get new releases from your local library.
www.404media.co
November 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
From our friends over at @404media.co, a look at the closure of Baker & Taylor and the ripple effect it’s been having on libraries:
Detailed article in indie publisher Arcadia's opaque AI training deal, for which it is not asking permission & paying authors a pittance, unless they opt out (not how it's supposed to work: copyright is opt _in_, not opt out) Thx to @publisherslunch.bsky.social for the link slate.com/technology/2...
You’ve Seen These Books in Every Gift Shop. You Won’t Guess Who Wants to Buy Them Now.
Arcadia Publishing built its empire on small-town storytellers. Now it wants to sell their words to an A.I. company no one will name.
slate.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Detailed article in indie publisher Arcadia's opaque AI training deal, for which it is not asking permission & paying authors a pittance, unless they opt out (not how it's supposed to work: copyright is opt _in_, not opt out) Thx to @publisherslunch.bsky.social for the link slate.com/technology/2...
Because the huge Anthropic class action settlement limits eligibility to works registered w/ US Copyright Office, non-US writers are mostly locked out. But there's a similar proposed class action covering Canadian authors (click Documents link, then Amended Notice) www.cfmlawyers.ca/class-action...
Anthropic PBC AI Copyright - CFM Lawyers
www.cfmlawyers.ca
November 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Because the huge Anthropic class action settlement limits eligibility to works registered w/ US Copyright Office, non-US writers are mostly locked out. But there's a similar proposed class action covering Canadian authors (click Documents link, then Amended Notice) www.cfmlawyers.ca/class-action...
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
My regular reminder to sign up for my newsletter so you won't miss news of workshops I'm giving, updates to my website The Purple Crayon, and the like. Simple form on my Contact page. Infrequent mailings: www.underdown.org/contact.htm#...
November 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
My regular reminder to sign up for my newsletter so you won't miss news of workshops I'm giving, updates to my website The Purple Crayon, and the like. Simple form on my Contact page. Infrequent mailings: www.underdown.org/contact.htm#...
This is...not good.
Leaked emails show the “progressive” Chamber for Progress is coordinating with Google to quash copyright suits against tech giants. Its CEO, and several board members, used to work for Google. From @ddayen.bsky.social: trib.al/sDcjwJr
‘Progressive’ Tech Group Asks Trump to Block AI Copyright Cases - The American Prospect
The Chamber of Progress’s campaign to promote fair use, which they have created a campaign around called “Generate and Create,” comes as at least three of the nonprofit organization’s past or current backers are being sued over copyright claims.
trib.al
November 2, 2025 at 10:39 PM
This is...not good.
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
New #WriterBeware blog post: an explainer on the huge Anthropic class action copyright settlement: what it is, how it happened, how writers with eligible infringed works may benefit financially, and what eligible writers should do next writerbeware.blog/2025/10/31/t...
The Anthropic Class Action Settlement: What You Need to Know Right Now - Writer Beware
One of the most urgent issues confronting writers and other creators right now is the use of copyrighted material for generative AI training. The large language models that power chatbots like OpenAI’...
writerbeware.blog
October 31, 2025 at 6:01 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: an explainer on the huge Anthropic class action copyright settlement: what it is, how it happened, how writers with eligible infringed works may benefit financially, and what eligible writers should do next writerbeware.blog/2025/10/31/t...
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
SFWA's Frequently Asked Questions about the Anthropic Settlement #2 on filing simple claims in now available. www.sfwa.org/anthropic-faq/
Anthropic FAQ – SFWA – The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association
www.sfwa.org
November 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
SFWA's Frequently Asked Questions about the Anthropic Settlement #2 on filing simple claims in now available. www.sfwa.org/anthropic-faq/
New #WriterBeware blog post: an explainer on the huge Anthropic class action copyright settlement: what it is, how it happened, how writers with eligible infringed works may benefit financially, and what eligible writers should do next writerbeware.blog/2025/10/31/t...
The Anthropic Class Action Settlement: What You Need to Know Right Now - Writer Beware
One of the most urgent issues confronting writers and other creators right now is the use of copyrighted material for generative AI training. The large language models that power chatbots like OpenAI’...
writerbeware.blog
October 31, 2025 at 6:01 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: an explainer on the huge Anthropic class action copyright settlement: what it is, how it happened, how writers with eligible infringed works may benefit financially, and what eligible writers should do next writerbeware.blog/2025/10/31/t...
You may have seen the news that Mango Publishing has closed. Below is the letter sent to authors and others by Christopher McKenney, Mango's founder. Writer Beware has heard from Mango authors who are owed $$--including some who say they have _never_ been paid.
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
You may have seen the news that Mango Publishing has closed. Below is the letter sent to authors and others by Christopher McKenney, Mango's founder. Writer Beware has heard from Mango authors who are owed $$--including some who say they have _never_ been paid.
I just heard it's National Cat Day (really, that's every day). Here are Emily (left) and Sarah (right)
October 29, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I just heard it's National Cat Day (really, that's every day). Here are Emily (left) and Sarah (right)
Depressing (link via @publisherslunch.bsky.social ) papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Readers Prefer Outputs of AI Trained on Copyrighted Books over Expert Human Writers
The use of copyrighted books for training AI models has led to numerous lawsuits from authors concerned about AI's ability to generate derivative content. Yet i
papers.ssrn.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Depressing (link via @publisherslunch.bsky.social ) papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Big news on the AI class action lawsuit front (this one is focused on infringement by chatbots' output, rather than training) www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Authors’ Class Action Lawsuit Against OpenAI Moves Ahead
A New York judge dismissed an attempt by OpenAI to throw out a class action lawsuit that consolidates suits from a number of authors charging the company with copyright infringement.
www.publishersweekly.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Big news on the AI class action lawsuit front (this one is focused on infringement by chatbots' output, rather than training) www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
In case you're wondering if that book review offer or marketing pitch or friendly message from a well-known author are genuine (the short version: probably not)...my collection of blog posts on the new Nigerian marketing scams will help you decide writerbeware.blog/tag/nigeria/
Nigerian scams Archives - Writer Beware
writerbeware.blog
October 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
In case you're wondering if that book review offer or marketing pitch or friendly message from a well-known author are genuine (the short version: probably not)...my collection of blog posts on the new Nigerian marketing scams will help you decide writerbeware.blog/tag/nigeria/
Excellent news--for Australian creators, anyway (thanks to Jonathan Bailey @plagiarismtoday.com for the link) www.billboard.com/pro/australi...
Australia’s Government Shuts Down Controversial Copyright Exemptions for AI
“This is a significant moment for Australian creators and our cultural sovereignty,” says Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
www.billboard.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Excellent news--for Australian creators, anyway (thanks to Jonathan Bailey @plagiarismtoday.com for the link) www.billboard.com/pro/australi...
Possible new AI-driven impersonation scam spinning up: someone contacts you out of the blue w/ praise for your work, recommends you contact a (real) literary agent & provides an email addy--but of course it's fake & results in a referral for editing or marketing. Example below 1/2
![Hi [redacted]
I’ve had the opportunity to review your work, and it’s clear you have a strong command of storytelling and a distinctive voice. Your writing shows real potential for a broader audience.
For this reason, I’m recommending you reach out to [agent name redacted], an independent literary agent known for her discerning eye and commitment to helping authors build lasting careers. [agent name reacted] represents a wide range of genres in both fiction and non-fiction, and has collaborated with authors such as [redacted] and [redacted].
She’s currently open to queries and can be reached at submission.[agentname]@gmail.com. When you contact her, mention that I referred you this will help ensure your work receives proper consideration.
Best regards,
Chiara
Chiara Bianchi
chiaraforauthors@gmail.com
ChiaraForAuthors
...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uy6mloyr37qtcdml3bq6a6o4/bafkreicuy4xifsleo35t3afh77my6nafjbctealwkzajx3rdwo6e64vmje@jpeg)
October 26, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Possible new AI-driven impersonation scam spinning up: someone contacts you out of the blue w/ praise for your work, recommends you contact a (real) literary agent & provides an email addy--but of course it's fake & results in a referral for editing or marketing. Example below 1/2
Random observation (& I know how annoying "X is a sign of AI writing!" is)...but based on the hundreds of AI marketing scam emails I've seen recently, "thoughtful" is a fave chatbot response word, as in "thx for your thoughtful response" or "I appreciate your thoughtful email". 1/2
October 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Random observation (& I know how annoying "X is a sign of AI writing!" is)...but based on the hundreds of AI marketing scam emails I've seen recently, "thoughtful" is a fave chatbot response word, as in "thx for your thoughtful response" or "I appreciate your thoughtful email". 1/2
Impersonation scams--so prevalent in the worlds of trade publishing and self-publishing--are everywhere, including academia www.the-scientist.com/impersonatio...
Impersonation Scandals Shake Academic Publishing
Identity theft is on the rise in academia. Fake authorships, fraudulent emails, and AI-generated data are putting researchers’ reputations at risk.
www.the-scientist.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Impersonation scams--so prevalent in the worlds of trade publishing and self-publishing--are everywhere, including academia www.the-scientist.com/impersonatio...
Peeve of the day: people who comment on a blog post by asking the question the blog post answers
October 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Peeve of the day: people who comment on a blog post by asking the question the blog post answers
Reposted by Victoria Strauss
Scams that target #authors: how they're learning to raise their game from our replies, what they're after and what they might do next. @victoriastrauss.com writerbeware.blog/2025/10/20/a... #writingcommunity #authorlife #bookmarketing #skywriters
Army of Bots: Deeper Into the Vortex of Nigerian Marketing Scams - Writer Beware
I’ve published a couple of posts now about the tidal wave of AI-driven marketing scams from Nigeria that has swept over the writing world in the past year or so. A hallmark of these scams has been how...
writerbeware.blog
October 24, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Scams that target #authors: how they're learning to raise their game from our replies, what they're after and what they might do next. @victoriastrauss.com writerbeware.blog/2025/10/20/a... #writingcommunity #authorlife #bookmarketing #skywriters