We’re just as puzzled by authors as to what the Google Book Settlement really means for them and whether they should or should not opt out of the settlement. Although the Writers’ League of Texas cannot advise our members one way or another, we can provide some resources to help authors make an informed decision.
If you have received an official opt-out letter with a September 4 deadline, here are some links that you might want to look at:
The Google Book Settlement administration site
New York Times: “Group Lays Out Argument Against Google Books Deal” — About the new Open Book Alliance with members such as Microsoft, Amazon, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and Yahoo.
Publishers Weekly:
- “Major Objection to Google Settlement Is Filed” (August 19)
- “Authors Guild Claims William Morris ‘Off Target’ on Google Settlement” (August 10)
- “Guild Responds to Second WME Letter on Google Settlement” (August 17)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) statement
FinePrint Literary Management’s Google Update page
The Association of American Publishers
That’s just a start of resources available. Ironically, “googling Google Book Settlement” will probably bring up more pros and cons about this!
If any of you find other good sites with information, please feel free to post a comment.
— Cyndi Hughes
