November 2, 2025

New Allies

Last week, authors made progress in their class action copyright suit against Open AI after a federal judge rejected the tech company’s move to dismiss the case. Macmillan acquired the print, e-book, and audio businesses of mind-body-spirit publisher Sounds True. A coalition of seven charitable organizations led by the Mellon Foundation announced a $50 million initiative supporting the nonprofit literary arts. Penguin Press editor Helen Rouner was named PW’s 2025 Star Watch Superstar. And former PW editorial director John F. Baker died at 93.

Last month, Lerner Publishing Group publisher and CEO Adam Lerner and his wife Maryann made a trip to Tanzania where they visited the new Harry J. Lerner Memorial Library at Mashati Secondary School, built in honor of LPG’s late founder. Attending the visit were (from l.) volunteer teacher David Deogratius Kimario, teacher Salome Msuya Elias, Adam Lerner, Maryann Lerner, teacher Johansen Ernest Muchwampaka, Peace Corps volunteer and local Books for Africa captain Jocoa Kerschen, and Madelynn Fontana.
(Courtesy Lerner)

Authors’ Class Action Lawsuit Against OpenAI Moves Ahead

A New York judge dismissed an attempt by OpenAI to throw out a class action lawsuit that consolidates suits from a number of authors charging the company with copyright infringement. more

Macmillan Acquires Sounds True’s Book, Audio Businesses

The Big Five house has purchased the book, e-book, audiobook, and audio original catalogs of the mind-body-spirit publisher. With the sale, Sounds True, which was founded in 1985 by Tami Simon, will focus on its online learning, events, and digital media businesses. more

New Fund to Grant $50 Million to Literary Arts Orgs

A coalition of seven charitable organizations led by the Mellon Foundation plans to award at least $50 million to nonprofit literary organizations over the next five years through the Literary Arts Fund, a new initiative headed up by Jennifer Benka, a veteran of the Academy of American Poets and Poets & Writers. more

Former ‘PW’ Editorial Director John F. Baker Dies at 93

John Baker joined PW in 1973 and retired in 2004. During his 31-year tenure, Baker was virtually synonymous with the magazine, covering major stories, attending important events, and overseeing all editorial operations during a time of tremendous change in the industry. more

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