WRITER FUEL: The world's oldest rocks are spread across the globe and paint a picture of Earth's turbulent early history. Here are some of the most notable and important formations scientists have discovered.
https://www.limfic.com/2025/03/25/writer-fuel-where-are-the-oldest-rocks-on-earth/
@kristiedegaris Thank you for this article. A #mustread 
@writing @writers #WriterCommunity #bookstodon #authors
I published #books in Germany (with fixed prices) but it's similar. I know a famous writer with several awards who sells about 500 copies a year in the most famous literary publishing house.
And the money is a gross amount, freelance writers have to use it to pay for their workplace and insurances, taxes etc.
Publishing looks glossy from the outside. Inside? It’s built on unpaid labour.
My first book is out this year.
Here’s what I actually got paid, what my contract says, & why most authors can’t afford to do this twice.
https://kristie-de-garis.ghost.io/published-doesnt-mean-paid/
I know a lot of authors have newsletters. Some of you probably use Mailchimp for the purpose.
Be aware that Mailchimp apparently does not respect peoples' decision to unsubscribe by deleting their PII; but rather holds on to it. (As a recipient, this is *not* what I expect.)
I would not be at all surprised if other providers also do this; but in this case, it was Mailchimp being caught holding the smoking gun.
https://www.troyhunt.com/a-sneaky-phish-just-grabbed-my-mailchimp-mailing-list/
"I squeeze my phone in fury"
"Mark Zuckerberg's net worth is an estimated $235 *billion*. This is all I can think about while I ponder the three years it took me to write my book."
So many authors are devastated right now.
Go buy an indie writer's book. Buy an author a coffee. Share their book with someone who might like it. Write a review.
Stephanie Stimac's book is Design for Developers, a topic near to my heart.
Authors: Would you rather...
A. Someone buys your book but never reads a single word.
B. Someone borrows your book and reads every word.
#Penmanship #Authors #Writing #Legal #FediLaw #AI
Important for all authors, esp. if #US-based: how to protect your copyright against #AI firms
"*Class Action Lawsuits Cover All Writers Whose Books Were Used *
Legal action is already underway against #Meta, #OpenAI, #Microsoft, #Anthropic, and other AI companies for using pirated books.
You don’t need to be a named plaintiff to benefit or receive damages if you qualify as part of the class;... "
cc @alison
https://authorsguild.org/news/meta-libgen-ai-training-book-heist-what-authors-need-to-know/
@Garwboy As a friend of biodiversity I had nearly stopped reading until there: "I like all of those creatures. I find them fascinating, and they occupy important roles in our society and ecosystem. I would never say that about Mark Zuckerberg."
But now I dream of writer troll farms using your inspiring idea to train #AI: https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/an-article-for-meta-to-use-to-train Great! Made my day. 
@writing @writers @writerscommunity
We are disappointed but not surprised that Meta has used millions of pirated books to develop its AI systems.
As a matter of urgency, Meta needs to compensate the rightsholders of all the works it has been exploiting.
But what can authors do? Read here:
https://societyofauthors.org/2025/03/21/the-libgen-data-set-what-authors-can-do/
The Society of Authors
@Soc_of_Authors #authors #writers #books #Meta
Who are the five writers that made you?
Tanith Lee
Mel Ellis
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Madeleine L'Engle
Robin McKinley
There are definitely more than five. Umberto Eco belongs on this list, too.
Listening to a discussion on BBC about eBooks vs libraries.
Publishers and DRM are the problem.
It occurs to me that in the "digital age", publishers no longer serve a function. Authors have the tools to publish their work digitally themselves, and monetize it themselves (think Bandcamp for authors).
Just cut out the publishers, platforms, and DRM.
#libraries #books #authors
@JediSoth Both of my books are in there too 
(Oh the irony that my debut novel The Algorithm Will See You Now is a speculative thriller about the potential dangers of misuse and biases of #ai in #healthcare)
Do we as #authors have any recourse?
