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While I focus on Technology, Innovation, and Publishing, because I have a platform, I also flag items that I think are important. I also try to include some resources & opportunities. This is a double issue, so there are a lot of links. Please let me know what you think.

Important Items

Kidlit For Los Angeles Auction

HT @sljournal Bid now! Auction open until 1/28.

https://www.32auctions.com/kidlitforlosangeles

Donate to help rebuild lives and businesses affected by the wildfires

MT @BincFoundation Dav Pilkey, Forefront Books, Ingram Content Group, Macmillan Publishers, Mad Cave Studios, and TOKYOPOP are generously matching donations (of all sizes) up to a total of $55,000!

https://bincfoundation.org/?form=FUNRLKTJGPM

What The F*ck Just Happened Today?

You know you should limit your doomscrolling, but you want to stay informed. This is a newsletter from @WTFJHT I recommend that summarizes all the crazy stuff that day. Vox also started one at https://www.vox.com/pages/logoff-newsletter-trump-administration-updates.

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com

The U.S. Constitution Delivers a 404 Now

Democracy not found.

https://gizmodo.com/the-u-s-constitution-delivers-a-404-now-2000552847

Trump Admin. Axes School Safety Board

The Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board included school safety experts, alongside the parents of children who died in school shootings, advocates for civil rights and disability rights, superintendents, and leaders of organizations that represent school and district administrators.

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-admin-axes-newly-created-school-safety-board/2025/01

Idaho Lawmakers Want Supreme Court to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Decision

A state legislative committee has advanced a resolution asking that the power to regulate marriage be returned to the states.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/us/idaho-same-sex-marriage-supreme-court.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sE4.gyR2.EhJmM3ZTZXl8&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Trump’s Pardons of 23 Antiabortion Extremists Endanger Providers and Patients

https://msmagazine.com/2025/01/23/trump-pardons-abortion-clinic-violence-pro-life-face-act/

Post-Election 2024 Anti-Trans Risk Assessment Map

Via @ErinInTheMorn Nationwide Risk: High

Do Not Travel: FL, TX

The Worst States: AL, ID, KS, LA, MS, MT, OK, ND, TN, UT

High-Risk States: AR, GA, IA, IN, MO, NE, NH, OH, SC, WV, WY

Moderate-Risk States: AK, KY, NC, SD

Low-Risk States: AZ, DE, MI, NV, PA, VA, WI, DC

Most Protective States: CA, CO, CT, HI, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/post-election-2024-anti-trans-risk

A Line By Line Analysis Of Trump’s Big Anti-Trans Executive Order

Via @ErinInTheMorn

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/a-line-by-line-analysis-of-trumps

The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance

Tr*mp has vowed to deport millions and jail his enemies. To carry out that agenda, his administration will exploit America’s digital surveillance machine. Here are some steps you can take to evade it. ““Undocumented immigrants, Muslims, pregnant people, journalists, really anyone who doesn’t support him” need to reconsider their personal privacy safeguards.”

https://www.wired.com/story/the-wired-guide-to-protecting-yourself-from-government-surveillance/

Technology

Created by Humans Launches AI Rights Platform for Authors

Launched by Scribd cofounder Trip Adler, allows author licensing of AI training rights and reference rights. Will have transformation rights licensing and access for publishers & agents.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/96846-created-by-humans-launches-ai-rights-platform-for-authors.html

AI and Content — The 2024 Trend that Wasn’t and the Related Opportunity that Exists

HT @BISG “Data – or, as we like to call it, books, journals, songs, and other creations of human ingenuity, creativity, and culture — is continuously being created. While the research paper calls the demand for permission a “crisis of consent,” we would argue that under normal human social contracts, requiring an owner’s consent before taking their property is the opposite of a crisis….The barrier to AI advancement is not the lack of content or rights reservation, but the unwillingness of (some in) tech to pay a fair share to use it.”

https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/01/09/ai-and-content-the-2024-trend-that-wasnt-and-the-related-opportunity-that-exists/

AP to Offer News via AI Chatbot from Google

Google’s AI chatbot Gemini will deliver news from the Associated Press in the tech giant’s first such deal with a news publisher

https://apnews.com/article/google-gemini-ai-associated-press-ap-0b57bcf8c80dd406daa9ba916adacfaf

Axios Lands OpenAI Funding for Local News

OpenAI will underwrite the expansion of Axios to four cities of its choice as part of a broader content-sharing and technology deal

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/15/open-ai-axios-local-newsrooms-funding-deal

Apple disables AI notifications for news in its beta iPhone software

Apple is temporarily disabling Apple Intelligence summaries for news apps in a sign of the challenges of dealing with AI technology. The move comes after the BBC highlighted that Apple’s AI system had twisted its news notifications to display inaccurate facts.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/apple-disables-ai-notifications-for-news-in-its-beta-iphone-software.html

Bloomberg starts AI-generated news summaries

https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/bloomberg-starts-ai-generated-news-summaries/

Microsoft’s LinkedIn sued for disclosing customer information to train AI models

https://www.reuters.com/legal/microsofts-linkedin-sued-disclosing-customer-information-train-ai-models-2025-01-22/

Samsung and Google are developing AR glasses together

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24347908/samsung-google-ar-glasses-android-xr-unpacked-january-2025

Google Snubs New Call to Add Fact-Checking

Google says it won’t add fact checks to search results and YouTube videos or use them in ranking or removing content, despite new EU law

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/google-fact-check-eu

Substack: Who Needs TikTok? We’ve Got Live Video Now, Too

Live video is now available to all publishers on Substack, providing a potential alternative for creators monetizing their content

https://www.adweek.com/media/substack-tiktok-live-video/

Bluesky is getting its own photo-sharing app, Flashes

https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/15/bluesky-is-getting-its-own-photo-sharing-app-flashes/

WordPress co-founder says lawsuits may last for years and end with the closure of WordPress

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/mullenweg-says-lawsuits-could-end-wordpress/537336/

Publishing & Media

Bloomsbury works its magic to save Amazon deal

The truce came hours after Amazon publicly criticixed the publisher for refusing to “engage in a good faith negotiation” and issued a six-hour deadline for a new deal to be struck. “Unfortunately, the latest extension expires at midnight,” Amazon added. “After that time, Amazon will no longer be able to sell Bloomsbury print books in the UK, Europe and Australia, or Bloomsbury Kindle books worldwide.” Bloomsbury told The Times that it had only learnt about the renegotiation deadline when Amazon posted the warning online. “We have been in discussions with Amazon over terms since last summer. At no point during these discussions did Amazon say that they would take such action,” the company said.

https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/bloomsbury-works-its-magic-to-save-amazon-deal-50hpvmp5w

Publishing Leaders Share 9 Bold Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

HT @annerallen

https://insights.bookbub.com/publishing-leaders-share-predictions-2025/

Want to Earn Six Figures as a Writer? Try Ghostwriting.

According to this article, ghostwriters are making six-figure salaries and negotiating more complex deals as demand increases for their services. Actual results may vary!

https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/ghostwriters-conference-salaries-business-39e841e0

Diamond’s Bankruptcy & the Comic Book Industry’s Uncertain Future

https://bleedingfool.com/news/diamonds-bankruptcy-and-the-comic-book-industrys-uncertain-future/

Layoffs Hit Union Square Following Hachette Book Group Purchase

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96925-layoffs-hit-union-square-following-hachette-book-group-purchase.html

BincTank Second Cohort Announced

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation has announced the 10 entrepreneurs who will make up the second cohort for BincTank. Launched in 2023, BincTank is a business incubator pilot program designed to increase equity in bookstore ownership by supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs.

https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4890#m66312

BuzzFeed Unveils Memberships for HuffPost

HuffPost is launching a three-tiered membership program to raise funds and provide readers with “a way to support our free journalism.”

https://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedpress/huffpost-launches-tiered-membership-program

Seven opportunities for your newsroom in 2025

The Reuters Institute’s ‘Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions’ report puts tech talent on a premium, as news leaders look to harness the best of AI, social video and subscription bundles

https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/seven-opportunities-for-your-newsroom-in-2025/s2/a1209908/

These were the bestselling books of 2024

“Katy Hershberger points out that only about 29 percent of the 200 bestselling books of 2024 were actually published last year—the rest were backlist.”

https://lithub.com/these-were-the-bestselling-books-of-2024/

Lit Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025

https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2025/

Department of Education dismisses book ban complaints

The Department of Education has dismissed 11 complaints regarding “book bans” the federal agency received during the Biden administration, it announced Friday. The department said it ended former President Biden’s “book ban hoax,” calling the complaints about book removals “meritless” and based “upon a dubious legal theory.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5105641-education-department-biden-book-bans/

Resources & Opportunities

Get Involved with WMG: Committee Information Session & Social

Women’s Media Group members: If you’ve ever thought of becoming more involved in the WMG community, now’s the time! We’re looking for new committee members and leaders. Sign up for this sit-down social with drinks, light bites, and discussion about how to become more involved. 1/30, 5:30-7:30 pm ET. WMG members only; Free. In-person NYC.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-5989532

Galentine’s Day Soirée

Raise a glass with friends and colleagues at this members-only soirée! Dress in red, pink, or any shade you love, and gather with other WMG gal pals for this Galentine’s Day celebration. We’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, and an array of Valentine-themed sweets in the elegant home of a WMG member. Bring a children’s book to be donated to a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding literacy opportunities in NYC communities. 2/12 6-8, WMG members only, $15. In-person NYC.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-6017795

Celebrating Black History Month: Clips & Conversation with a Filmmaker

In celebration of Black History Month, WMG member Lisa Durden will share the inspiration behind Blind Divas, a documentary film she is writing, directing, and producing. She will speak about her journey as a Black journalist, the importance of telling stories that reflect the Black experience, and the behind-the-scenes process—from production to fundraising to marketing—involved in making this film. Via Zoom 2/19 6-7:15pm ET. FREE for WMG Members, $20 for non-members.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-6039817

Inaugural Zora Neale Hurston Summit

FREE. At Barnard 1/31-2/1. Registration required. Includes a Children’s Festival.

https://www.zoranealehurstonsummit.com

Emergency Grants & Resources for Writers

Via @erikadreifus Updated 1/22/25.

https://www.erikadreifus.com/resources/grants-fellowships-and-awards/emergency-grants-for-writers/

Grants for Spreading Love Through the Media

HT @womenjournos The Greater Good Science Center is offering two dozen grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 to report and produce stories on love.

https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/love

EveryLibrary Letter You Can Send Your Representative Against Book Bans

@EveryLibrary has a generic evergreen letter that you can send your representative against book bans, which you can customize. It will fill in your rep. for you – super easy!

https://action.everylibrary.org/nationalaccess

12 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February 2025

Via @EricaVerrillo

https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2025/01/12-fabulous-writing-conferences-and.html

Little Free Library to Celebrate Milestone with 200,000th Library Launch

MT @LtlFreeLibrary In recognition of the 200k milestone, we invite Title I elementary schools in the U.S. to apply to receive one of 200 Little Free Libraries. Each of the libraries granted will come with 200 engaging & diverse children’s books provided by Penguin Random House. Deadline 1/31. #teamPRH

https://littlefreelibrary.org/2025/01/little-free-library-to-celebrate-milestone-with-200000th-library-launch/

Apple, Amazon Prep Wildfire Charity Concert

Sting, Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga are among the performers slated to perform at FireAid, a benefit concert for California wildfire relief 1/30

https://apnews.com/article/benefit-concert-los-angeles-wildfires-eilish-gaga-a111f37ed70becba0056015746f2a88d

LIVE from NYPL

LIVE from NYPL kicks off 2025 with everything from a new series of literary happy hours to an extraordinary lineup of talks with writers such as Timothy Snyder, Sarah Lewis, Jennifer Finney Boylan, and Chris Hughes. We’ll celebrate The New Yorker’s centenary, learn about the Met Opera’s Moby-Dick, and explore the great Iranian classic the Shahnameh—plus much more!

https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/live

Research 101: Public Classes & Workshops

MT @nypl Whether you’re an experienced researcher looking to learn about maps, or a writer hoping to learn about copyright—our Research 101 series of classes, lectures, and workshops will have what you need to help advance your research.

https://www.nypl.org/events/research-101

Vox Media Opens New York Magazine ‘School’

New York magazine is launching a series of courses in which staff writers and editors share their “highly specific” expertise

https://nymag.com/article/introducing-new-york-night-school-from-new-york-magazine.html

2025/26 National Book Foundation Teacher Fellowship

Applications for 2025/26 @nationalbook Teacher Fellowship will open on Friday, 1/31! This initiative supports and celebrates 6th-12th grade teachers using innovative methods to make reading for pleasure a part of their students’ school day experience.

https://www.nationalbook.org/applications-for-the-25-26-teacher-fellowship-open-jan-31/

World Press Institute Fellowship open

MT @IJNet Journalists who live outside the U.S. can apply now for the World Press Institute’s fellowship, which will help experienced journalists improve their understanding of American journalism through travel, reporting and more. Deadline: Feb. 15

https://ijnet.org/en/opportunity/world-press-institute-fellowship-open-worldwide

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