📚 Publishing News Roundup — August 27, 2025

Anthropic’s copyright settlement, short fiction trends, and what it all means for authors

Welcome back to Plot Twists & Paychecks, your weekly source for the biggest developments in publishing—covering everything authors need to know, whether you’re indie, hybrid, or traditionally published.

Here’s what’s making headlines this week:

🤖 Big Publishing News: Anthropic Reaches Tentative Copyright Settlement Over AI Training Data

In one of the biggest publishing stories of the year, Anthropic, the AI company behind Claude, has reached a tentative settlement in a major class-action lawsuit brought by authors. The case centers on allegations that Anthropic used pirated copies of millions of books from shadow libraries like Library Genesis (LibGen) and Pirate Library Mirror (PiLiMi) to train its AI systems without authorization.

What Happened

• In 2024, authors Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson filed the suit, representing a class of potentially millions of affected authors.
• Judge William Alsup ruled in June 2025 that while using books to train AI may be considered “transformative use”  and thus potentially fair under copyright law, acquiring those works illegally from pirate sites is not protected.
  (Don't get me started on transformative use -- if you steal my cow, grind it up, and charge for/serve it to customers in your diner as a hamburger -- the cow has been TRANSFORMED, but you still stole my cow and that's wrong. You grinding it into a hamburger does not make it yours.)
• Without a settlement, Anthropic faced potential damages of $750 to $150,000 per work—a staggering total that could have reached a TRILLION dollars.

What the Tentative Deal Means

• The proposed settlement avoids a December trial and will likely establish stricter data licensing practices for AI developers.
• While terms remain confidential for now, court filings confirm that preliminary approval motions are due September 5, 2025.
• A hearing for settlement approval is scheduled for September 8, 2025.

What Authors Should Do

If you suspect your books were part of the dataset used to train Claude, you may already be included in the certified class—but you should ensure you’re notified of updates:

Check to see if your books might be included here: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/search-libgen-data-set/682094/

Submit your contact info to the class action attorneys here:
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-author-contact/

More details from the Authors Guild:
https://authorsguild.org/news/anthropic-ai-class-action-important-information-for-authors/

💡 Takeaway: This settlement highlights the growing tension between AI innovation and author rights. Expect stronger licensing frameworks in the future—and possibly new revenue models for authors if publishers negotiate blanket agreements. If you’re navigating these shifts or preparing to publish, our book publishing services can help you stay ahead.

Sources:
https://www.wired.com/story/anthropic-settles-copyright-lawsuit-authors
https://apnews.com/article/aa3df1aafcc95a91c09b2c22bfd49058
https://www.theverge.com/news/766311/anthropic-class-action-ai-piracy-authors-settlement
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/copyright/article/98493-tentative-agreement-reached-in-anthropic-copyright-lawsuit.html

📖 Short Fiction Sees a Resurgence Among Readers

In happier news for authors, publishers are reporting a significant surge in interest in shorter fiction formats—from novellas and short story collections to slim, standalone literary works.

Why It’s Happening

• Time-strapped readers are drawn to quicker, more digestible reads.
• Subscription platforms and digital-first retailers are helping shorter works find audiences faster than traditional publishing timelines allow.
• Small presses and indie authors are leaning into experimental formats—bundling them into series or serialized content.

For authors, this presents an opportunity to rethink length as a strategy:

• Test new genres or tropes with novellas before committing to a full-length book.
• Release shorter works between major launches to maintain reader engagement.
• Bundle multiple stories for marketing flexibility and wider pricing tiers.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to release shorter fiction and want it to look professional, our book formatting services make preparing your eBooks and paperbacks simple and stress-free.

Source:
https://www.thebookseller.com/news/publishers-say-mindset-around-short-stories-shifting-as-readers-embrace-slim-fiction

✍️ Join Our Weekly Writing Sprint Livestreams — Every Wednesday!

Need accountability and motivation to hit your word count goals? Join us every Wednesday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ET on the Author.Coach YouTube channel for live writing sprints, publishing Q&A, and real-time inspiration.

Whether you’re self-publishing your first book or navigating a traditional publishing path, these livestreams help you:

• Write more with timed sprints alongside other authors
• Ask your writing and publishing questions—we cover craft, marketing, platforms, and launch strategies
• Stay accountable and motivated in a supportive, high-energy environment
• Build connections with a community of authors on the same journey

Want even more personalized strategy for your book? Explore our book coaching options to get one-on-one guidance tailored to your publishing path.

💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach

This week’s headlines highlight both opportunity and uncertainty for authors. From Anthropic’s copyright settlement shaping how AI interacts with your work, to the growing reader appetite for shorter fiction formats, one thing is clear: the publishing landscape is evolving fast.

Want to make sure your book reaches the right audience? Check out our book marketing services to level up your visibility and sales.