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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. Please let me know what you think.
Important Items
For Trump, This Is a Dress Rehearsal
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/los-angeles-dress-rehearsal-trump/683078/
Trump rescinds guidance protecting women in need of emergency abortions
Trump just quietly erased guidance that told hospitals they had to save pregnant women’s lives
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/03/trump-admin-emergency-abortion-emtala
“On Tyranny” free resources to use and to share
https://timothysnyder.org/resources
Innovation
AI Is Deciphering Animal Speech. Should We Try to Talk Back?
As scientists use machine learning to decode the sounds of whales, dogs, and dolphins, opinions vary on how best to deploy the technology.
https://gizmodo.com/ai-is-deciphering-animal-speech-should-we-try-to-talk-back-2000598783
Technology
10 AI Prompts for Book Marketing
https://fauziaburke.substack.com/p/book-marketing-with-ai-10-prompts
Your FREE outline for AI training
HT @BoSacks
https://krehbielgroup.com/2025/your-free-outline-for-ai-training/
The Washington Post is developing an “AI writing coach”
HT @PublishersWkly The Washington Post is developing an “AI writing coach” which would “automate several functions normally provided by human editors.” A new program, known internally as Ripple, would open The Post to journalists at other publications and influential writers on Substack.
Time Embraces AI in Pacts with New Partners
Time says it will be teaming up with artificial intelligence platforms OpenAI, Perplexity, ProRata, and Amazon Alexa
Dotdash Meredith on ‘Google Zero’ – what happens when AI means Google doesn’t send you traffic?
HT @benedictevans All digital publishers need to prepare for Google Zero: the extreme case where Google traffic stops.
https://www.therebooting.com/negoogle-zero-pragmatism/
‘Incredibly useful’ or ‘hallucinatory and racist’: how book professionals have found using AI at work
A survey has explored how people in the publishing trade are using AI at work, with some accusing it of ’hallucinating sources’ and ’introducing racist stereotypes’ and other describing it as ’life-changing’.
Amanda Guinzburg shares a disturbing interaction she had with ChatGPT when she asked the bot to read her work ahead of querying an agent
HT @PublishersWkly The AI kept apologizing for not reading, saying it would, and then it kept doing it.
https://amandaguinzburg.substack.com/p/diabolus-ex-machina
The Great Pivot: How Hollywood Studios Are Moving Beyond AI Experimentation
HT @benedictevans Hollywood moved from fearful observer to active participant in AI. Everyone is now trying to integrate (compliant, rights-cleared) AI video into their workflows.
https://www.thewrap.com/ai-on-the-lot-hollywood-studio-experimentation/
AMC Networks partners with AI startup Runway
AMC Networks is partnering with AI startup Runway to use AI tools for marketing and developing TV shows
Sony, Universal, Warner Eyeing AI for Music
https://www.wsj.com/business/media/ai-music-licensing-universal-warner-sony-92bcbc0d
How streaming has changed music
https://onlydeadfish.co.uk/2025/06/05/how-streaming-has-changed-music/
How this Microsoft-backed billion-dollar London startup made 700 engineers sitting in India pose as AI tool
Peers vote to defy UK government over copyright threat from AI
MT @DCNorg In the UK, defiant peers have delivered an ultimatum to the government – calling on it to offer artists copyright protection against artificial intelligence companies or risk losing a key piece of legislation.
How Authors are Thinking About AI (Survey of 1,200+ Authors)
https://insights.bookbub.com/how-authors-are-thinking-about-ai-survey/
Business Insider recommended nonexistent books to staff as it leans into AI
A controversial experiment on Reddit reveals the persuasive powers of AI
HT @IndieAuthorALLI Scientists sent undercover AI bots onto a subreddit dedicated to debate to see how effective they could be at changing ppl’s minds—They were a lot better than humans!
OpenAI’s Sora is now available free to all users through Microsoft Bing Video Creator on mobile
ElevenLabs debuts Conversational AI 2.0 voice assistants that understand when to pause, speak, and take turns talking
Google quietly launches AI Edge Gallery, letting Android phones run AI without the cloud
OpenAI tops 3 million paying business users, launches new features for workplace
OpenAI will enhance ChatGPT for business customers by allowing users with business accounts direct access to company data via connectors, such as GitHub, SharePoint, etc.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/openai-chatgpt-enterprise-ai.html
Meta becomes the latest big tech company turning to nuclear power for AI needs
Meta Platforms is courting Hollywood in search of exclusive content for a premium VR headset it plans to release next year
3D Is Back. This Time, You Can Ditch the Glasses
Tech to Watch-3D Monitors: Whether it’s YouTube, Zoom, or full-screen photos, the display converts 2D to 3D using ML algorithms, adding an artificial layer of depth that wasn’t previously there. AI is overcoming the need for tailor-made 3D content
https://www.wired.com/story/3d-is-back/
TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users
https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo
Driverless Semi Trucks Are Here, With Little Regulation and Big Promises
Amazon Prepares to Test Humanoid Robots for Delivering Packages
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/amazon-prepares-test-humanoid-robots-delivering-packages
Publishing & Media
NJ Introduces Library Ebook Bill
NJ’s bill includes a provision that would bar NJ libraries from agreeing to prices “greater than that charged to the public for the same item.” Typically, library new release ebooks from the major publishers can cost libraries $65 or more for a metered license. Those prices would have to be closer to consumer prices, usually around $15, for libraries to license them. Similar to CT’s law, the NJ bill would also forbid libraries from entering into licenses that restrict the number of lends over the course of a license agreement unless the publisher also offers a perpetual access option “at a price which is considered reasonable and equitable” by the parties.
https://www.wordsandmoney.com/new-jersey-introduces-library-ebook-bill/
Author Care: A Toolkit for Authors
MT @AuthorsGuild The UK Society of Authors has launched a free digital toolkit designed for authors at all stages of their careers. The toolkit helps empower authors throughout their publication journey.
https://societyofauthors.org/resource/author-care/
Audiobook Sales Rose 13% in 2024, to $2.2 Billion
U.K.’s Bankrupt Unbound Still Owes Millions to Creditors
MT @craicer Many writers discovered that even though they were owed royalties (thousands of $$), they were unsecured creditors in the case of a bankruptcy, while their books were seen as assets to be sold on under bankruptcy legislation. What stings is that some of the original principals of Unbound rebranded themselves as Boundless and bought the assets. Bankruptcy law trumps contracts unless you have a clause saying that if the publisher goes bankrupt you get your rights back immediately.
UK Pays Authors Based on Library Lending
HT @inkbitspixels Starting in July, the money the UK pays to authors when their books are lent by public libraries will be calculated based on data from all public libraries in the UK.
https://mail.plr.bl.uk/cr/AQjk3hIQxfV5GPD0jF51dz6pcVRxA-Y5vbadEmJY7zMAxBi1CztmgyvTXB–8g
PRH Acquires Wonderbly, One of the UK’s Fastest-Growing Independent Publishers and Leader in Personalized Gift Books
(Wonderbly is formerly known as Lost My Name.) #teamPRH
Book of the Month Club Addresses Controversy Over James Frey’s Comments On AI
HT @publisherslunch With James Frey’s novel NEXT TO HEAVEN publishing on June 17, a 2023 interview in which he said he was using generative AI in the writing of his work sparked controversy online.
Byron Allen is selling his local TV stations
MT @mediagazer Byron Allen takes substantial steps toward selling all of his local TV stations, including those affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in 24+ markets. Allen has received offers for some or all of his local TV station portfolio; a divestiture allows Allen Media Group to pay down existing debt, rather than refinance it.
https://multicastnews.com/p/exclusive-byron-allen-selling-off
Resources & Opportunities
Exclusive Book Talk and NYBG Library Tour
WMG Members only, FREE 6/13 10-12pm, space limited – almost sold out. Join Penguin Random House’s Library Marketing team for an exclusive morning at the New York Botanical Garden’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library, featuring a conversation with the award-winning chef and author Amy Chaplin, free book, free admission and parking, and a book signing.
https://womensmediagroup.org/event-6183358
WMG Job Seekers
Hey out-of-work WMG friends: We have a new series for you! Come to this FREE session with an expert on 6/18 from 12-1pm ET via Zoom for members only!!
https://womensmediagroup.org/event-6206707
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore at the IFC Center with Frances McGarry
Meet up with WMG member Frances McGarry at IFC Center for a screening of “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” and a post-screening Q&A with Marlee Matlin and director Shoshannah Stern. 6/20 7:10pm, NYC. Members only.
https://womensmediagroup.org/event-6216526
WMG Summer Networking Party
https://womensmediagroup.org/event-6215573
Last Chance to Donate to my PRH Fundraiser for Behind the Book!
https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/6395883
Ucross Residency Program
MT @marcelalandres Deadline: July 15. Poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers are provided with a private bedroom and studio space, chef-prepared meals, and a $1500 stipend. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
https://www.ucrossfoundation.org
Nonfiction Essay Contest for Emerging Writers
MT @marcelalandres Deadline: September 30. The Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers offers $1000 and publication in Boulevard for an essay by a writer who has not published a full-length book in any genre with a nationally distributed press.
https://www.boulevardmagazine.org
Covering immigration? RCFP’s new legal guide can help.
https://www.rcfp.org/rcfp-new-immigration-legal-guide/
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