Guy (aka glecharles)
@loudpoet.com
Sometimes loud, formerly poet, always opinionated. As in guillotine...
Here via BlackSky, but more active on my blog and Mastodon:
https://loudpoet.com | https://gardenstate.social/@glecharles
Here via BlackSky, but more active on my blog and Mastodon:
https://loudpoet.com | https://gardenstate.social/@glecharles
Pinned
In the Library Ebook Market, Can Librarians Learn to Just Say No?
If recent tensions over library ebook legislation has shown librarians anything, it is that maintaining the status quo in the digital library market is ultimately a choice being made by librarians. Le...
www.wordsandmoney.com
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
"There's still value in being present and authentic."
On calling bluffs, FOMO and FUD, preserving data, LinkedIn Lunatics, and writing with fierce hope and optimism.
loudpoet.com/2026/10/01/f...
On calling bluffs, FOMO and FUD, preserving data, LinkedIn Lunatics, and writing with fierce hope and optimism.
loudpoet.com/2026/10/01/f...
Five Things: October 1, 2026 | As in guillotine...
"There's still value in being present and authentic." On calling bluffs, FOMO and FUD, preserving data, LinkedIn Lunatics, and writing with fierce hope and optimism.
loudpoet.com
October 1, 2026 at 11:34 AM
"There's still value in being present and authentic."
On calling bluffs, FOMO and FUD, preserving data, LinkedIn Lunatics, and writing with fierce hope and optimism.
loudpoet.com/2026/10/01/f...
On calling bluffs, FOMO and FUD, preserving data, LinkedIn Lunatics, and writing with fierce hope and optimism.
loudpoet.com/2026/10/01/f...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
You can't, and shouldn't seek to, replace public schools or libraries with bookstores.
You can't replace a public good with a private business, no matter how well-meaning or well-organized it may be.
You can't replace a public good with a private business, no matter how well-meaning or well-organized it may be.
September 22, 2026 at 2:22 PM
You can't, and shouldn't seek to, replace public schools or libraries with bookstores.
You can't replace a public good with a private business, no matter how well-meaning or well-organized it may be.
You can't replace a public good with a private business, no matter how well-meaning or well-organized it may be.
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Environmental groups in #PuertoRico are getting creative because of the island's inability to join international climate forums as a sovereign nation. Now, they are building power from the ground up. Read my latest for @prismreports.org: tinyurl.com/yc76t49y. #JusticeRequires
Shut out of global climate forums, Puerto Ricans bet on the power of community
Puerto Rico's environmental groups are developing grassroots strategies to fight the climate crisis, collaborating with and strengthening the power of their communities
tinyurl.com
September 21, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Environmental groups in #PuertoRico are getting creative because of the island's inability to join international climate forums as a sovereign nation. Now, they are building power from the ground up. Read my latest for @prismreports.org: tinyurl.com/yc76t49y. #JusticeRequires
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
their financial ties to my business and are actual community that have nothing to do with me or what I charge for.
But if you can sell your "community" to private equity or if VCs can invest in it, you don't have a community. You have an events business.
But if you can sell your "community" to private equity or if VCs can invest in it, you don't have a community. You have an events business.
September 22, 2026 at 3:44 PM
their financial ties to my business and are actual community that have nothing to do with me or what I charge for.
But if you can sell your "community" to private equity or if VCs can invest in it, you don't have a community. You have an events business.
But if you can sell your "community" to private equity or if VCs can invest in it, you don't have a community. You have an events business.
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Last week I was offered a settlement for my mom’s Camp Lejeune case and in consideration of any influence I have in my community I decided to take it and encourage others to do the same. It has been (still is) an emotional time but I walk away knowing at every step I worked for the greater good.
Settlement of Camp Lejeune case shows dilemma facing many victims
Among the thousands of victims of contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was a woman with the ironic name of Mary Freshwater, who was raising her family at the North Carolina ba...
rollcall.com
September 22, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Last week I was offered a settlement for my mom’s Camp Lejeune case and in consideration of any influence I have in my community I decided to take it and encourage others to do the same. It has been (still is) an emotional time but I walk away knowing at every step I worked for the greater good.
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
"you use AI or you die at this point" says Keith Riegert, Stable Book Group and CEO of Perfect Bound, while also claiming to be a techno-pessimist.
This is such a boring, uninspired, lacking-in-imagination view of the world
This is such a boring, uninspired, lacking-in-imagination view of the world
September 21, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"you use AI or you die at this point" says Keith Riegert, Stable Book Group and CEO of Perfect Bound, while also claiming to be a techno-pessimist.
This is such a boring, uninspired, lacking-in-imagination view of the world
This is such a boring, uninspired, lacking-in-imagination view of the world
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
If you don't want to or can't write, just get another job where that's not one of the tasks
September 21, 2026 at 5:38 PM
If you don't want to or can't write, just get another job where that's not one of the tasks
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Convoluted, rambling, misleading, questionable:
LF advisory board member @loudpoet.com offers some analysis of recent attacks on library ebooks in @wordsandmoney.bsky.social and offers a way forward.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
LF advisory board member @loudpoet.com offers some analysis of recent attacks on library ebooks in @wordsandmoney.bsky.social and offers a way forward.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
September 21, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Convoluted, rambling, misleading, questionable:
LF advisory board member @loudpoet.com offers some analysis of recent attacks on library ebooks in @wordsandmoney.bsky.social and offers a way forward.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
LF advisory board member @loudpoet.com offers some analysis of recent attacks on library ebooks in @wordsandmoney.bsky.social and offers a way forward.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
In the Library Ebook Market, Can Librarians Learn to Just Say No?
If recent tensions over library ebook legislation has shown librarians anything, it is that maintaining the status quo in the digital library market is ultimately a choice being made by librarians. Le...
www.wordsandmoney.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:53 PM
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day and always remember: NEVER let the lyric get in the way of the groove!
donfoolery.com/2025/09/ba-d...
donfoolery.com/2025/09/ba-d...
Ba-Dee-Ya: a Writing Lesson for Earth, Wind & Fire Day
For music fans, today is Earth, Wind & Fire Day. You don’t have to be a superfan to figure out why. It’s all in the first line of EWF’s classic, “September” Do you remember the 21st night of Se…
donfoolery.com
September 21, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day and always remember: NEVER let the lyric get in the way of the groove!
donfoolery.com/2025/09/ba-d...
donfoolery.com/2025/09/ba-d...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
"Hiring a “litigation consultant” to conduct a market study certainly suggests... that rather than collaborate with libraries ... the publishers’ primary trade organization instead appears to be gearing up for a court battle"
Read this, and demand better. Excellent work, Guy.
Read this, and demand better. Excellent work, Guy.
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
In the Library Ebook Market, Can Librarians Learn to Just Say No?
If recent tensions over library ebook legislation has shown librarians anything, it is that maintaining the status quo in the digital library market is ultimately a choice being made by librarians. Le...
www.wordsandmoney.com
September 18, 2026 at 11:04 PM
"Hiring a “litigation consultant” to conduct a market study certainly suggests... that rather than collaborate with libraries ... the publishers’ primary trade organization instead appears to be gearing up for a court battle"
Read this, and demand better. Excellent work, Guy.
Read this, and demand better. Excellent work, Guy.
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
In the Library Ebook Market, Can Librarians Learn to Just Say No?
If recent tensions over library ebook legislation has shown librarians anything, it is that maintaining the status quo in the digital library market is ultimately a choice being made by librarians. Le...
www.wordsandmoney.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:53 PM
“There's nothing stopping libraries from not accepting [the Big Five’s] terms right now."
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Big 5 have shown their cards.
I think it's time to call their bluff.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
Imagine publicly saying you can't be bothered with cleaning up the data that helps drive your discovery and sales, and suggesting "AI" can do it for you.
Are you f**king kidding me?!?
#cmonson
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Are you f**king kidding me?!?
#cmonson
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
September 18, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Imagine publicly saying you can't be bothered with cleaning up the data that helps drive your discovery and sales, and suggesting "AI" can do it for you.
Are you f**king kidding me?!?
#cmonson
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Are you f**king kidding me?!?
#cmonson
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Are there any indie authors with cool stories about how you’ve sold your books?
Our October theme is how authors sell books and I’m looking for people I can feature.
Our October theme is how authors sell books and I’m looking for people I can feature.
September 17, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Are there any indie authors with cool stories about how you’ve sold your books?
Our October theme is how authors sell books and I’m looking for people I can feature.
Our October theme is how authors sell books and I’m looking for people I can feature.
"Nevertheless, the dystopian premise remains appealing."
On marketing vs. sales, sales vs. marketing, undervaluing content, AI limitations, and cyberpunk is boring.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/17/f...
On marketing vs. sales, sales vs. marketing, undervaluing content, AI limitations, and cyberpunk is boring.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/17/f...
Five Things: September 17, 2026 | As in guillotine...
"Nevertheless, the dystopian premise remains appealing." On marketing vs. sales, sales vs. marketing, undervaluing content, AI limitations, and cyberpunk is boring.
loudpoet.com
September 17, 2026 at 11:36 AM
"Nevertheless, the dystopian premise remains appealing."
On marketing vs. sales, sales vs. marketing, undervaluing content, AI limitations, and cyberpunk is boring.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/17/f...
On marketing vs. sales, sales vs. marketing, undervaluing content, AI limitations, and cyberpunk is boring.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/17/f...
Railroads are one of the sectors where the potential for automation is actually intriguing, and the authors do something few journalists or AI advocates ever bother with, clarifying the differences between the various things being marketed under an "AI" umbrella.
Operations: Realising the limits of AI in the control centre
https://www.railwaygazette.com/research-training-skills/2026/09/13/operations-realising-the-limits-of-ai-in-the-control-centre/
https://www.railwaygazette.com/research-training-skills/2026/09/13/operations-realising-the-limits-of-ai-in-the-control-centre/
Operations: Realising the limits of AI in the control centre
Despite the hype around AI, the rail sector faces a delicate challenge in balancing clear opportunities for digitalisation of control centre functions while recognising that ‘a better algorithm’ is no silver bullet for delivering more reliable or efficient services. The idea of a ‘digital dispatcher’ has been circulating in railway IT for the better part…
www.railwaygazette.com
September 16, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Railroads are one of the sectors where the potential for automation is actually intriguing, and the authors do something few journalists or AI advocates ever bother with, clarifying the differences between the various things being marketed under an "AI" umbrella.
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
A great read!
Lightning in a Bottle: The Art and Legacy of Trevor von Eeden shelfdust.com/2026/09/14/l... @shelfdust.bsky.social
Lightning in a Bottle: The Art and Legacy of Trevor von Eeden shelfdust.com/2026/09/14/l... @shelfdust.bsky.social
Lightning in a Bottle: The Art and Legacy of Trevor von Eeden
Originally published on The Gutter Review on May 31, 2022. The spirit of The Gutter Review lives on today in the form of Trash Humper, a zine you can buy with your grubby hands right now: head here…
shelfdust.com
September 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
A great read!
Lightning in a Bottle: The Art and Legacy of Trevor von Eeden shelfdust.com/2026/09/14/l... @shelfdust.bsky.social
Lightning in a Bottle: The Art and Legacy of Trevor von Eeden shelfdust.com/2026/09/14/l... @shelfdust.bsky.social
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
Such a pleasure to be on @404media.co podcast talking about the past, present, and future of libraries!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Fighting for the Future of Libraries (With Jennie Rose Halperin)
Podcast Episode · The 404 Media Podcast · September 14 · 1h 2m
podcasts.apple.com
September 14, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Such a pleasure to be on @404media.co podcast talking about the past, present, and future of libraries!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
The biggest questions I get about AI: How do I protect myself from an agent or publisher (or other publishing professional) using AI on my work? How do I protect myself from a false accusation of AI use?
Unfortunately, these questions don’t have straightforward answers, but here I try my best.
Unfortunately, these questions don’t have straightforward answers, but here I try my best.
Writers' AI Fears Often Run Ahead of the Facts | Jane Friedman
The panic that’s expressed online bears little resemblance to what’s happening at literary agencies and publishing houses.
janefriedman.com
September 11, 2026 at 2:34 PM
The biggest questions I get about AI: How do I protect myself from an agent or publisher (or other publishing professional) using AI on my work? How do I protect myself from a false accusation of AI use?
Unfortunately, these questions don’t have straightforward answers, but here I try my best.
Unfortunately, these questions don’t have straightforward answers, but here I try my best.
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
I've launched a new limited-run podcast called Liberating Lit that features interviews with literary advocates about the work they do, why they do it, how they got into it, and what keeps them going.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Tune In To Liberating Lit, My New Limited-Run Podcast
Liberating Lit is a limited-run interview podcast about literary advocacy publishing Fall 2026 - Spring 2027.
buttondown.com
September 10, 2026 at 1:34 PM
I've launched a new limited-run podcast called Liberating Lit that features interviews with literary advocates about the work they do, why they do it, how they got into it, and what keeps them going.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
"Hyping a magic bullet."
On Big 5 shenanigans, AI 0.9, active participation, sustainability, and when the internet was a better place.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/10/f...
On Big 5 shenanigans, AI 0.9, active participation, sustainability, and when the internet was a better place.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/10/f...
Five Things: September 10, 2026 | As in guillotine...
"Hyping a magic bullet." On Big 5 shenanigans, AI 0.9, active participation, sustainability, and when the internet was a better place.
loudpoet.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
"Hyping a magic bullet."
On Big 5 shenanigans, AI 0.9, active participation, sustainability, and when the internet was a better place.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/10/f...
On Big 5 shenanigans, AI 0.9, active participation, sustainability, and when the internet was a better place.
loudpoet.com/2026/09/10/f...
The AAP and Authors Guild shenanigans continue, all to protect the inflexible business models of a handful of multinational conglomerates and (maybe) a few dozen millionaire authors who publish books some readers have decided they don't want to own in print.
www.wordsandmoney.com/publishing-i...
www.wordsandmoney.com/publishing-i...
Publishing Industry ‘Study’ Says Digital Library Lending Is Cannibalizing Retail Sales—Librarians Say It Reveals Something Else
AAP and Authors Guild leaders characterized the study as “independent” and “the most rigorous analysis to date” of the shift toward digital lending in U.S. libraries. Librarians say it is neither.
www.wordsandmoney.com
September 5, 2026 at 12:52 PM
The AAP and Authors Guild shenanigans continue, all to protect the inflexible business models of a handful of multinational conglomerates and (maybe) a few dozen millionaire authors who publish books some readers have decided they don't want to own in print.
www.wordsandmoney.com/publishing-i...
www.wordsandmoney.com/publishing-i...
Reposted by Guy (aka glecharles)
I know I already posted about this...but to reiterate: Anthropic copyright settlement authors, PLEASE contact me (Writer Beware) if your publisher is making a claim on a book whose rights have reverted, or claiming anything other than a 50/50 split on an in-contract book. [email protected]
FINALLY: If anyone gets a response from a publisher that is something along the lines of "yeah, we just asserted ownership for all titles that had our name listed as publisher regardless of reversion status" PLEASE send that information to me or @victoriastrauss.com.
September 3, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I know I already posted about this...but to reiterate: Anthropic copyright settlement authors, PLEASE contact me (Writer Beware) if your publisher is making a claim on a book whose rights have reverted, or claiming anything other than a 50/50 split on an in-contract book. [email protected]
Third (and final, I think) episode of me talking libraries with Joe and Elly, and potentially the last time I'll do so publicly in any notable way for a while. I have one more article coming out soon, but I think it's time for me to take a break until the industry adjusts its priorities.
Libraries are a great way to access eBooks, streaming shows, and other types of digital content. But how do those licenses work, and who benefits from them?
This week on the pod, industry analyst and friend of the ‘Cosm Guy LeCharles Gonzalez (@loudpoet.com) is back!
Microcosm.pub/newpodcast
This week on the pod, industry analyst and friend of the ‘Cosm Guy LeCharles Gonzalez (@loudpoet.com) is back!
Microcosm.pub/newpodcast
August 27, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Third (and final, I think) episode of me talking libraries with Joe and Elly, and potentially the last time I'll do so publicly in any notable way for a while. I have one more article coming out soon, but I think it's time for me to take a break until the industry adjusts its priorities.
"Deep down, most of y'all know that's a lie."
On the job market, modern leadership, AI assistance, doing the hard work, and insightful long reads.
loudpoet.com/2026/08/27/f...
On the job market, modern leadership, AI assistance, doing the hard work, and insightful long reads.
loudpoet.com/2026/08/27/f...
Five Things: August 27, 2026 | As in guillotine...
"Deep down, most of y'all know that's a lie." On the job market, modern leadership, AI assistance, doing the hard work, and insightful long reads.
loudpoet.com
August 27, 2026 at 12:34 PM
"Deep down, most of y'all know that's a lie."
On the job market, modern leadership, AI assistance, doing the hard work, and insightful long reads.
loudpoet.com/2026/08/27/f...
On the job market, modern leadership, AI assistance, doing the hard work, and insightful long reads.
loudpoet.com/2026/08/27/f...