Arcadia Publishing Strikes Controversial AI Deal, Offers Authors Payment and Opt-Out Option

Arcadia Publishing, best known for its small-town history books and hyper-local titles, has entered into a licensing agreement allowing an unnamed tech company to use its catalog for AI training — a move that has sparked debate among authors and readers alike.

According to a report from Slate, the publisher began contacting authors in July, notifying them of the deal and offering the opportunity to opt out “in this specific instance.” The message emphasized that Arcadia’s contracts grant it the right to license titles, but that the company wanted to “maintain transparency and respect for its authors” by providing a choice.

For those who participated, compensation varied slightly — most received $340 per book, though one author publicly shared documentation showing a payment of $205. Because many of Arcadia’s imprints do not offer advances and royalty payments are often modest due to limited sales volume, this one-time licensing payment stands out as a relatively rare cash infusion for some writers.

Last month, Arcadia reportedly issued a contract addendum allowing authors to “opt out of AI training offers indefinitely,” signaling the company’s attempt to find balance between technological opportunity and ethical responsibility.

In a statement to Slate, Arcadia said future agreements will continue to uphold author choice and compensation: “Any Arcadia licensing arrangements in this area will reflect our position: Authors will have a choice, and all participating authors will be compensated. We’ll pursue opportunities that align with our position.”

The deal underscores the growing tension between publishers eager to adapt to new technologies and authors wary of how their work may be used — or monetized — in the evolving landscape of AI-driven content creation.