When Taylor Swift publicly fought to reclaim control of her music, fans worldwide rallied behind her. Her fight became emblematic—a powerful voice pushing back against a machine that too often silences artists. But Taylor isn’t alone. Many of us have waged quieter, relentless battles, often without fanfare, against a publishing industry rife with hidden agendas and shadowy tactics.

For decades, I’ve navigated these same murky waters, fighting not only to publish independently but to reclaim rights to my work, piece by painstaking piece. The struggle to regain ownership of my William Stanek nonfiction catalog from major publishers mirrored Taylor's fight—protracted, costly, emotionally draining, yet ultimately necessary for creative freedom and integrity.

When Publishers Play Dirty

Publishing can be beautiful and empowering, but behind its polished surface lies a darker reality. I've seen it firsthand:

• Publishers hiring me—an established author—to write books they never intended to release, merely to sideline me from competition.
• Promises of significant promotion and support that vanish into silence once the ink dries on the contract.
• Manipulative tactics aimed at diminishing an author’s market presence, effectively attempting to snuff out a rising star.

These weren’t isolated incidents; they were calculated moves. Take O’Reilly Media, a publisher that initially hired me for major projects only to quietly sabotage their success through broken promises and strategic neglect. Why? Because I was becoming too influential, too significant, and they decided it was easier to eliminate the competition than compete fairly.

When their efforts didn’t completely silence my voice, the battle escalated. They even attempted to acquire Microsoft Press, presumably hoping to further control and diminish my influence in technical publishing. Thankfully, their bid failed, and Microsoft Press went instead to Pearson/Macmillan, allowing my work and many others' to remain accessible and influential.

Fighting for My Artistic Legacy

My fight extended beyond words to visual art and photography. When the galleries closed, I faced yet another struggle—this time to reclaim my rights weren’t lost in the dissolution. Despite having already given 80% of the profits back to the artists, I still had to fight fiercely to prevent our collective creative legacy from being consumed by the corporate machine.

Later, a similar battle emerged when our foundation—dedicated to educational outreach, coaching spaces, retreats, and classrooms—closed its doors. None of the profits from these programs ever went to me or anyone else; every cent was reinvested directly back into the foundation's mission. The struggle was real, ensuring that valuable educational materials remained accessible and out of the hands of corporations who would monetize and control resources originally intended purely to benefit communities, not corporations.

Quiet Solidarity, Lasting Impact

Years ago, witnessing Taylor Swift’s bold fight for her rights, I publicly encouraged and supported her efforts. Quietly and behind the scenes, a nod of solidarity was shared, though never highlighted in headlines. And perhaps that quiet acknowledgment was enough—a reminder that battles for creative control are universal, transcending industries, genres, and public personas.

It’s essential we recognize these battles are ongoing. Behind every public fight like Taylor's are countless other authors, artists, and creators facing down giants in boardrooms and courtrooms, often unseen and unsupported.

Why We Must Continue to Fight

These struggles are about more than rights; they’re about dignity, legacy, and the very essence of creative freedom. When corporations control our stories, our art, our educational resources, they dictate the narrative, commodifying authenticity for profit.

But when we reclaim our rights, we reclaim our stories, our histories, and our futures.

Standing Together

We must keep pushing back against those who aim to control creativity for profit. Stand with independent creators. Support those who fight quietly and courageously for their voices. Recognize that every battle won—whether celebrated or silent—strengthens our collective creative future.

This fight isn’t over. But each voice raised makes it harder for the industry to silence us.

Together, let’s ensure our stories remain ours.

—Robert Stanek