Searchable Database Containing Book Titles Used to Train Artificial Intelligence
Sep 28, 2023
This week, the US publication The Atlantic published a searchable database containing the titles of books used to train a number of US-based artificial intelligence projects. Many of those titles are by Canadian authors. You can see this database, and search for your… Read More
Canada’s School Libraries Require Serious Investment
Sep 28, 2023
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) notes with growing concern the trend in Canada of challenges to specific books in schools and libraries across the country. Very often those with a focus on LGBTQIA2s+ perspectives and stories are the target of coordinated… Read More
Le communiqué de la FCAB contient des erreurs préjudiciables
Sep 6, 2023
Le 14 août, la Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (FCAB) a publié un communiqué sur son site Web intitulé « Don’t Blame Copyright for Declining Revenue. It Won’t Help Authors. » (Inutile d’attribuer la baisse de revenus au droit d’auteur. Cela… Read More
CFLA Statement Contains Damaging Inaccuracies
Sep 5, 2023
On August 14, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) published a statement on their website entitled Don’t Blame Copyright for Declining Revenue. It Won’t Help Authors. The statement contains a litany of inaccurate assertions about copyright law and the… Read More
Concern for Yellowknife and Kelowna Wildfire Evacuees
Aug 18, 2023
Statement: National Council and staff are deeply concerned for Union members and all NWT and BC residents displaced by the Yellowknife and Kelowna-area evacuations. We will work to connect with every member from these regions, and check on their well-being. Stay safe,… Read More
Internet Archive Settlement Protects Market for Existing eBooks
Aug 18, 2023
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is pleased overall with the negotiated consent judgment terms announced this week between US publishers and San Francisco’s Internet Archive (IA), concerning the IA’s ongoing practice of scanning physical books and making those scans… Read More
In Memoriam — Dennis Reid (1943–2023)
Aug 1, 2023
With the death of art historian Dennis Reid, Canada has lost a major figure whose career spanned almost 60 years. In 1962, while studying at the University of Toronto, Reid met Stan Bevington, and with poet Wayne Clifford, they founded Coach House Press. The Press’ first title,… Read More
In Memoriam — Norman Reed Paterson (1926–2022)
Aug 1, 2023
Norm Paterson was a phenomenon. He died in December 2022, a month short of his 97th birthday. The morning I took him to hospital because his heartbeat went wonky, he was talking about doing a final tweaking of the manuscript he was working on — a short book called Climate Change… Read More
In Memoriam — Louis Melville (Mel) Atkey (1958–2022)
Aug 1, 2023
Mel Atkey was a composer and lyricist, who wrote two books on musical theatre: Broadway North: The Dream of a Canadian Musical Theatre and A Million Miles from Broadway: Musical Theatre Beyond New York and London. He also wrote When We Both Got to Heaven, a book on his… Read More
Copyright Agency Gutted by Canada’s Ineffective Copyright Laws
Jul 13, 2023
Writers Shut Out of Collective Action by Government’s Failure to Act The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is deeply concerned by the news that Canada’s Copyright Licensing Agency, Access Copyright, will be reducing staff and services over the coming months. After years of… Read More
