Mahua Cavanagh
@mahua.bsky.social
Women’s fiction & crime fiction writer. Diver. Dog lover. Knitter. Author of Nairobi Ndoto. Member of CWoC & SinC.
I post about writing, reading, my dogs, knitting, travel, diving, politics, expat life, & random other things.
I post about writing, reading, my dogs, knitting, travel, diving, politics, expat life, & random other things.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
For anyone who has been confused by the disappearance of the official Anthropic Settlement website, it's back online: www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
It was temporarily removed thanks to concerns by the judge in the case, who stipulated a number of changes that had to be made.
It was temporarily removed thanks to concerns by the judge in the case, who stipulated a number of changes that had to be made.
Homepage | Bartz v Anthropic Settlement Site
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
For anyone who has been confused by the disappearance of the official Anthropic Settlement website, it's back online: www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
It was temporarily removed thanks to concerns by the judge in the case, who stipulated a number of changes that had to be made.
It was temporarily removed thanks to concerns by the judge in the case, who stipulated a number of changes that had to be made.
Latest thing that annoys me: when I post something about needing a painter or other home repair person on a FB group and then people start to follow and message me about it on Instagram. Makes me feel like they’re stalking me.
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Latest thing that annoys me: when I post something about needing a painter or other home repair person on a FB group and then people start to follow and message me about it on Instagram. Makes me feel like they’re stalking me.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
New #WriterBeware blog post: Among the most frequent publisher complaints I receive: non-payment of royalties and failure to provide sales reports. A look at three recent offenders, who collectively owe thousands that it seems unlikely authors will be able to recoup writerbeware.blog/2025/11/21/r...
Royalties in Arrears: Mango Publishing / Blushing Books / Bottlecap Press - Writer Beware
Publishers do a lot of bad things (as the archives of this blog attest), but among the most infuriating–and, often, the hardest to remedy–is the failure to pay authors the money they are due. Non-paym...
writerbeware.blog
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: Among the most frequent publisher complaints I receive: non-payment of royalties and failure to provide sales reports. A look at three recent offenders, who collectively owe thousands that it seems unlikely authors will be able to recoup writerbeware.blog/2025/11/21/r...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
PSA for any Apub authors whose books are in the Anthropic settlement list: Amazon is not participating in the settlement, since they have an investment in Anthropic. When you submit your claim form, you DO NOT have to list Amazon as an add'l rightsholder, & can claim 100% of settlement money.
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
PSA for any Apub authors whose books are in the Anthropic settlement list: Amazon is not participating in the settlement, since they have an investment in Anthropic. When you submit your claim form, you DO NOT have to list Amazon as an add'l rightsholder, & can claim 100% of settlement money.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
I've updated my blog post about Must Read magazines with information about how the Must Read contracts have changed--and the negotiation difficulties that some authors still encounter writerbeware.blog/2025/07/25/c...
Contract Controversy (and Change) at Must Read Magazines - Writer Beware
In a surprise move this past February, a new group called Must Read Magazines acquired five well-known genre magazines: Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, The Magazine of Fanta...
writerbeware.blog
November 18, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I've updated my blog post about Must Read magazines with information about how the Must Read contracts have changed--and the negotiation difficulties that some authors still encounter writerbeware.blog/2025/07/25/c...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Good article on the targeting of Australian authors by scammers posing as publishing service providers (I've been reporting on these scams since 2022--one of the markers for them is that, unlike other publishing scams, they sell ghostwriting services) www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Lost in the plot: how would-be authors were fooled by AI staff and virtual offices in suspected global publishing scam
Book publishing websites in Australia, the UK and New Zealand appear to be using fake testimonials and AI staff pages to lure aspiring writers into handing over their money
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Good article on the targeting of Australian authors by scammers posing as publishing service providers (I've been reporting on these scams since 2022--one of the markers for them is that, unlike other publishing scams, they sell ghostwriting services) www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
I've now heard from 3 authors targeted on X by a scammer impersonating Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold impersonator refers author to "Eleanor Wood at Spectrum Literary", also an impersonation. Goal: to sell editing svcs. Scam is impersonating multiple authors & agents writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/i...
If a Famous Author Calls, Hang Up: Anatomy of an Impersonation Scam - Writer Beware
You open your email program one morning. The usual work stuff. Some spam (annoying that it got past your filters!). A couple of newsletters (maybe later). You sip your coffee, scroll down. Wait. What’...
writerbeware.blog
November 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I've now heard from 3 authors targeted on X by a scammer impersonating Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold impersonator refers author to "Eleanor Wood at Spectrum Literary", also an impersonation. Goal: to sell editing svcs. Scam is impersonating multiple authors & agents writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/i...
Neighbors brought over cupcakes. I think we picked a good neighborhood. ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Neighbors brought over cupcakes. I think we picked a good neighborhood. ❤️
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
German court finds Open AI infringed copyright by using song lyrics for LLM training. (This news via @publisherslunch.bsky.social , which notes that this is the first court case to end in an infringement ruling against Open AI) www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
ChatGPT violated copyright law by ‘learning’ from song lyrics, German court rules
OpenAI ordered to pay undisclosed damages for training its language models on artists’ work without permission
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
German court finds Open AI infringed copyright by using song lyrics for LLM training. (This news via @publisherslunch.bsky.social , which notes that this is the first court case to end in an infringement ruling against Open AI) www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Yep. I’ve definitely moved to The Netherlands. #DutchHouses
November 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Yep. I’ve definitely moved to The Netherlands. #DutchHouses
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
If you already know how to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office, the importance of retaining copyright ownership, how to get your rights back when a book is out of print, and what constitutes fair use… this webinar is NOT for you!!
But for everyone else please join us Thursday!
But for everyone else please join us Thursday!
Must-Know Copyright Basics for Authors - The Authors Guild
Copyright law is the foundation for authors’ ability to get paid for their work. Your copyright is perhaps your most valuable asset as a working writer, so it behooves all writers to understand the in...
authorsguild.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
If you already know how to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office, the importance of retaining copyright ownership, how to get your rights back when a book is out of print, and what constitutes fair use… this webinar is NOT for you!!
But for everyone else please join us Thursday!
But for everyone else please join us Thursday!
That ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ feeling when your anxious dog makes a friend a week after moving. #dogsofbluesky
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
That ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ feeling when your anxious dog makes a friend a week after moving. #dogsofbluesky
It’s been a touch over a week. The worst parts of moving are over. Still lots of unpacking. Lots of life admin stuff to do. But it’s coming along.
I’m looking forward to next month when I can give my manuscript another read through. It’s ready for copy edits, but I would love another pass.
I’m looking forward to next month when I can give my manuscript another read through. It’s ready for copy edits, but I would love another pass.
November 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It’s been a touch over a week. The worst parts of moving are over. Still lots of unpacking. Lots of life admin stuff to do. But it’s coming along.
I’m looking forward to next month when I can give my manuscript another read through. It’s ready for copy edits, but I would love another pass.
I’m looking forward to next month when I can give my manuscript another read through. It’s ready for copy edits, but I would love another pass.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
Predatory Opt-Outs: The Speculators Come for the Anthropic Copyright Settlement - Writer Beware
The enormous, $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright class action settlement is reputedly the biggest copyright infringement recovery in history. With such a high-profile case, it’s inevitable that eligible...
writerbeware.blog
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
On the bright side, I feel I’m getting good workouts in each day. Moving into a Dutch house feels a lot like CrossFit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
On the bright side, I feel I’m getting good workouts in each day. Moving into a Dutch house feels a lot like CrossFit.
Somehow I managed to handle everything for the delivery part of our move…on my own…with our two dogs. It was stressful, chaotic at times, and exhausting.
Never again.
Never again.
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Somehow I managed to handle everything for the delivery part of our move…on my own…with our two dogs. It was stressful, chaotic at times, and exhausting.
Never again.
Never again.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
New report on writers and the use of gen AI and their views of it, including an entirely predictable set of reactions from fiction writers who do/don't use AI in their work www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
New Report Examines Writers’ Attitudes toward AI
A study commissioned by the Gotham Ghostwriters and Bernoff.com found that while 61% of professional writers are embracing AI tools, authors, specifically fiction authors, are much more wary.
www.publishersweekly.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
New report on writers and the use of gen AI and their views of it, including an entirely predictable set of reactions from fiction writers who do/don't use AI in their work www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Detailed article in indie publisher Arcadia's opaque AI training deal, for which it is not asking permission & paying authors a pittance, unless they opt out (not how it's supposed to work: copyright is opt _in_, not opt out) Thx to @publisherslunch.bsky.social for the link slate.com/technology/2...
You’ve Seen These Books in Every Gift Shop. You Won’t Guess Who Wants to Buy Them Now.
Arcadia Publishing built its empire on small-town storytellers. Now it wants to sell their words to an A.I. company no one will name.
slate.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Detailed article in indie publisher Arcadia's opaque AI training deal, for which it is not asking permission & paying authors a pittance, unless they opt out (not how it's supposed to work: copyright is opt _in_, not opt out) Thx to @publisherslunch.bsky.social for the link slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Because the huge Anthropic class action settlement limits eligibility to works registered w/ US Copyright Office, non-US writers are mostly locked out. But there's a similar proposed class action covering Canadian authors (click Documents link, then Amended Notice) www.cfmlawyers.ca/class-action...
Anthropic PBC AI Copyright - CFM Lawyers
www.cfmlawyers.ca
November 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Because the huge Anthropic class action settlement limits eligibility to works registered w/ US Copyright Office, non-US writers are mostly locked out. But there's a similar proposed class action covering Canadian authors (click Documents link, then Amended Notice) www.cfmlawyers.ca/class-action...
We’re here. What a whirlwind. I think I can start to relax in another week. #expatlife
November 2, 2025 at 8:59 AM
We’re here. What a whirlwind. I think I can start to relax in another week. #expatlife
On the way to the next adventure. #moving #expatlife
October 31, 2025 at 5:55 PM
On the way to the next adventure. #moving #expatlife
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Excellent news--for Australian creators, anyway (thanks to Jonathan Bailey @plagiarismtoday.com for the link) www.billboard.com/pro/australi...
Australia’s Government Shuts Down Controversial Copyright Exemptions for AI
“This is a significant moment for Australian creators and our cultural sovereignty,” says Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
www.billboard.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Excellent news--for Australian creators, anyway (thanks to Jonathan Bailey @plagiarismtoday.com for the link) www.billboard.com/pro/australi...
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
List of suspects for the Louvre heist:
- the muppets
- George Clooney and his friends
- the beagle boys and ma beagle
- literally any cat
- the snake from Disney’s Robin Hood
- the muppets
- George Clooney and his friends
- the beagle boys and ma beagle
- literally any cat
- the snake from Disney’s Robin Hood
October 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
List of suspects for the Louvre heist:
- the muppets
- George Clooney and his friends
- the beagle boys and ma beagle
- literally any cat
- the snake from Disney’s Robin Hood
- the muppets
- George Clooney and his friends
- the beagle boys and ma beagle
- literally any cat
- the snake from Disney’s Robin Hood
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Over the past few months I've heard from several writers who received email threats like the one below. None reported back that anything actually happened. Seems like just nasty trolling (unlike Goodreads extortion emails from a couple of years ago that did result in review-bombing)--but be aware.
![From: ANONYMOUS <no-reply@mail.goodreads.com>
Subject: [redacted], WARNING:STOP YOUR PROMOTIONS ON GOODREADS AND SOCIAL MEDIA IMMEDIATELY!
Message Body:
WE HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR BOOK [redacted]. WE GIVE 24 HOURS TO VANISH. IF YOU DON'T STOP, WE WILL RE-PUBLISH IT USING AI TECHNOLOGY. INSTEAD OF YOUR NAME, YOUR BOOK WILL BE 'AUTHORED' BY ONE OF US. AN EXACT REPLICA OF YOUR BOOK WILL BE SELLING ON AMAZON UNDER OUR NAMES AND YOU WON'T LIKE IT! AMAZON CANNOT DETECT THIS TECHNOLOGY YET AND YOUR LAWS CAN'T HARM US! NOT ONLY IT WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF YOUR POTENTIAL INCOME, IT WILL ALSO GET YOU BANNED FROM AMAZON. AMAZON IMPOSES DIGITAL EXCLUSIVITY ON AUTHORS. THAT MEANS IF THE DIGITAL VERSIONS OF YOUR BOOKS SHOW UP ANYWHERE ELSE BUT AMAZON, EVEN ON PIRATE SITES, YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING YOUR BOOK(S), OR EVEN YOUR ENTIRE ACCOUNT, SHUT DOWN WITH LITTLE TO NO HOPE OF APPEAL. IN ADDITION, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S INFORMATION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO CRIMINALS (THUGS AND RAPISTS) AND SCAMMERS IN YOUR AREA WHO WOULD DEFINITELY SEND YOU ALL TO SAME PLACE AS [redacted] - HELL THAT IS! OH BTW JUST SO YOU KNOW [redacted] TOLD US ABOUT YOU!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uy6mloyr37qtcdml3bq6a6o4/bafkreif5p65olcggzbvnwbtamz2eumjcrqaweymo7ovwqtivzro7tk5miu@jpeg)
October 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Over the past few months I've heard from several writers who received email threats like the one below. None reported back that anything actually happened. Seems like just nasty trolling (unlike Goodreads extortion emails from a couple of years ago that did result in review-bombing)--but be aware.
Reposted by Mahua Cavanagh
Just got ANOTHER complaint from an author with Lori Perkins's Riverdale Avenue Books about royalties not paid for over a year. I wrote about this problem in 2021 and it appears to still be ongoing--just amazing how pubs like this stay in business. writerbeware.blog/2021/03/02/p...
Publisher Cautions: Riverdale Avenue Books, Breaking Rules Publishing, Adelaide Books - Writer Beware
Riverdale Avenue Books was founded in 2012 by literary agent Lori Perkins of the L. Perkins Agency. Riverdale, which describes itself as a “hybrid” publisher even though, as far as I know, it does not...
writerbeware.blog
October 16, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Just got ANOTHER complaint from an author with Lori Perkins's Riverdale Avenue Books about royalties not paid for over a year. I wrote about this problem in 2021 and it appears to still be ongoing--just amazing how pubs like this stay in business. writerbeware.blog/2021/03/02/p...