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Agata Mrva-Montoya

@agatamontoya.bsky.social
214 followers 107 following 37 posts

Senior Lecturer in publishing at @Sydney_Uni interested in print accessibility, scholarly communication and books in general. Co-author of “Books without Barriers: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Publishing” (2023).

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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Book review: "Inclusive publishing and the quest for reading equity" www.iped-editors.org/september-20...
iped-editors.org
Book review: Inclusive publishing and the quest for reading equity - Institute of Professional Editors Limited
Agata Mrva-Montoya recently published a monograph on accessible and inclusive publishing. Julie Ganner AE reviews the new publication.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
An AI startup has agreed to a $2.2 billion copyright settlement. But will Australian writers benefit? theconversation.com/an-ai-startu...
theconversation.com
An AI startup has agreed to a $2.2 billion copyright settlement. But will Australian writers benefit?
The largest copyright settlement in US history has established a crucial legal precedent for the relationship between AI companies and content creators.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
"Inclusive Publishing and the Quest for Reading Equity" out now and free to download for the next 2 weeks - www.cambridge.org/core/element... #InclusivePublishing #Accessibility
cambridge.org
Inclusive Publishing and the Quest for Reading Equity
Cambridge Core - Printing and Publishing History - Inclusive Publishing and the Quest for Reading Equity
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
Dan Sinykin @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
You can now read most of the introduction (co-written by me and @johannawinant.bsky.social) to CLOSE READING FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, out in October from Princeton UP press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu
Close Reading for the Twenty-First Century
A user’s guide to the fundamental practice of literary studies, providing context, examples, and practical exercises
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Get your tickets to attend BookUp Conference & Research Day on 7 and 8 August 2025. The 2025 conference explores Australian storytelling – from discoverability in a market buffeted by increased globalisation to the role of the book industry to champion our stories. publishers.asn.au/Web/Events/B...
Text: BookUp Research Day: linking research to practice, Woollahra Library, Sydney 8 August 2025
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
Peeref @peeref.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
AI isn’t going away. Build your literacy now to stay relevant, informed, and ready for what’s next. Read full article by @scholarlykitchen.bsky.social 🔗: scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/05/14/g... #AILiteracy
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
Guest Post - Fostering AI Adoption and Literacy Within Your Organization  - The Scholarly Kitchen
How can organizations facilitate safe and comprehensive engagement with AI? And how can individuals within those organizations engage and advocate for their own AI literacy?
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Reaffirming the Publisher’s Role in Service of the Reader scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/05/12/g... via @scholarlykitchen.bsky.social
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
Guest Post - Gatekeepers of Trust: Reaffirming the Publisher's Role in Service of the Reader - The Scholarly Kitchen
The most vital and enduring contribution of scholarly publishers is their role as gatekeepers — not as obstacles to knowledge but as stewards of quality, integrity, and trust.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Who’s eating publishers’ lunch? The rising costs and shrinking margins of Australian books theconversation.com/whos-eating-...
theconversation.com
Who’s eating publishers’ lunch? The rising costs and shrinking margins of Australian books
Books may seem expensive in Australia, but they’re cheap when you take costs into account. For independent publishers, times are tough. What can we do?
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Authors call for UK government to hold Meta accountable for copyright infringement www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m... via @theguardian.com
theguardian.com
Authors call for UK government to hold Meta accountable for copyright infringement
‘I am a crime writer, I understand theft,’ said Val McDermid – joining Richard Osman, Kazuo Ishiguro and Kate Mosse in their appeal to Lisa Nandy to act on their behalf
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
Magabala Books @magabalabooks.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Statement from Magabala Books about the reported theft of thousands of books by Meta to train their generative artificial intelligence (AI). Read the full statement here: bit.ly/4c6rBZS
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Meta allegedly used pirated books to train AI. Australian authors have objected, but US courts may decide if this is ‘fair use’ theconversation.com/meta-alleged...
theconversation.com
Meta allegedly used pirated books to train AI. Australian authors have objected, but US courts may decide if this is ‘fair use’
Australian authors are among those caught up in Meta’s use of LibGen, an illegal book repository, to train its AI. What are the legal implications?
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
The Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Australian Publishing has been developed to support an outstanding postgraduate research student at USYD to undertake research Australian independent publishers, with focus on how they use digital media for branding purposes. www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
sydney.edu.au
Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Australian Publishing
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
Accessibility Awareness @a11yawareness.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Many struggle with writing alt text for charts and other other data visualizations. Amy Cesal's "Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization" hammers home the importance of explaining the chart type, the type of data, and the reason for the chart. medium.com/nightingale/...
medium.com
Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization
How do you write text that conveys the whole meaning of a visualization? You probably can’t. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
As AI gets smarter, are we getting dumber? pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/as-... via the University of Melbourne
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au
As AI gets smarter, are we getting dumber?
There’s growing concern that an over-reliance on AI could lead to apathy and cognitive decline. So, what can we do to stay sharp in an AI-driven world? A University of Melbourne expert explore the eff...
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
I am delighted to announce that the Publishing Scholarship for Indigenous Students at the University of Sydney is now open for applications. This scholarship supports Indigenous students pursuing publishing studies at our university: www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships... – please apply by 18 Apr 2025.
sydney.edu.au
Publishing Scholarship for Indigenous Students
The scholarship provides financial support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to study a Graduate Certificate or a Master of Publishing at the University of Sydney.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Academic publishing could be facing a watershed moment www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?sto... via University World News
universityworldnews.com
Academic publishing could be facing a watershed moment
The end of some universities’ transitional open access agreements with the publisher Elsevier, due to take effect at the end of 2025, may be a water...
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Almost half of Australians wish they read more books. Here are 10 ways to get back into reading in a distracted age theconversation.com/almost-half-... via @theconversation.com
theconversation.com
Almost half of Australians wish they read more books. Here are 10 ways to get back into reading in a distracted age
New research looking at how Australians read for recreation has shaped 10 tailored tactics to help you read more based on whatever is getting in your way.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
CFP for BookUp Research Day 2025: "Australian publishing in transition: challenges and opportunities" on 8 August 2025. Abstract submission deadline: Monday 31 March 2025: publishers.asn.au/web/events/B...
publishers.asn.au
Research Day
Call for papers for BookUp Research Day 2025
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
The acquisition of Text Publishing by Penguin Random House is part of a worrying trend in Australian publishing theconversation.com/the-acquisit... via @theconversation.com
theconversation.com
The acquisition of Text Publishing by Penguin Random House is part of a worrying trend in Australian publishing
Mergers within the Australian publishing industry have significant implications for the literary culture.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Always interesting to read: Jane Friedman's 2024 Year-End Review: Most Notable Publishing Industry Developments janefriedman.com/my-year-end-... via @janefriedman
janefriedman.com
My 2024 Year-End Review: Most Notable Publishing Industry Developments | Jane Friedman
From my paid newsletter, here's a recap of the book industry issues and trends I find most notable and meaningful as we move into 2025.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
AI narration naming guidelines for audiobooks (Audio Publishers Association) www.audiopub.org/naming-guide...
audiopub.org
New Naming Guidelines for AI-narrated Audiobooks — Homepage
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Listen up! Why 2024 was the year of the audiobook www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d... via @theguardian.com
theguardian.com
Listen up! Why 2024 was the year of the audiobook
With download figures at a high, all-star Hollywood voice casts and Spotify’s entry into the audiobook streaming business, the format is enjoying a surge in popularity
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Most US book bans target children’s literature featuring diverse characters and authors of color theconversation.com/most-us-book... via @ConversationUS
theconversation.com
Most US book bans target children’s literature featuring diverse characters and authors of color
The number of book bans in the US has soared in recent years. A new study shines light on which types of books and authors are the main targets.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Mapping (but not solving) the science communication crisis www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?sto... via The University World News
universityworldnews.com
Mapping (but not solving) the science communication crisis
We are entering a new era, made possible by new technologies, multinational publishers and new ‘open access’ arrangements. The resulting exponenti...
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
That's fascinating: People who are good at reading have different brains theconversation.com/people-who-a... via @ConversationUK
theconversation.com
People who are good at reading have different brains
Reading can change the brain.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
ABC International Excellence Awards Recognize Gerbera Ediciones, Argentina, and Round Table on Information Access, Australia and New Zealand www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/w/news/2024/...
accessiblebooksconsortium.org
ABC International Excellence Awards Recognize Gerbera Ediciones, Argentina, and Round Table on Information Access, Australia and New Zealand
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Microsoft, TikTok and AI are ‘disrupting’ book publishing. But do we want their effortless art? theconversation.com/microsoft-ti... via @ConversationEDU
theconversation.com
Microsoft, TikTok and AI are ‘disrupting’ book publishing. But do we want their effortless art?
New, tech-driven developments, including new imprints by Microsoft and BookTok’s ByteDance, promise to make book publishing faster and more efficient. But what’s lost in the process?
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Bertelsmann Pacts With AI Firm ElevenLabs for Tools to Spur Innovation and Accelerate Production variety.com/2024/film/ne... via @variety
variety.com
Bertelsmann Pacts With AI Firm ElevenLabs for Tools to Spur Innovation and Accelerate Production
Bertelsmann has pacted with AI firm ElevenLabs to incorporate its audio tools and platforms across the German media giant's many units.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Paper mills: the ‘cartel-like’ companies behind fraudulent scientific journals theconversation.com/paper-mills-... via @ConversationIDN
theconversation.com
Paper mills: the ‘cartel-like’ companies behind fraudulent scientific journals
What is paper mill and how does it work?
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
This is an interesting development: TikTok owner ByteDance to publish print books www.theguardian.com/books/2024/n... via @australia.theguardian.com
theguardian.com
TikTok owner ByteDance to publish print books
8th Note Press, an imprint launched by ByteDance, will print novels in genres popular on BookTok including YA and contemporary fiction and ‘romantasy’
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
I’m a children’s writer – and celebrity children’s books undervalue my craft theconversation.com/im-a-childre... via @ConversationEDU
theconversation.com
I’m a children’s writer – and celebrity children’s books undervalue my craft
Celebrity children’s books are a recurring phenomenon – from Jamie Oliver and Keira Knightley to Meghan Markle and Jimmy Barnes. But writing for children is harder than it might look.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
This is interesting: Microsoft turns a new page in the book business with its own publishing imprint www.geekwire.com/2024/microso... via @GeekWire
geekwire.com
Microsoft turns a new page in the book business with its own publishing imprint
Microsoft will attempt to find the sweet spot between the speed of social media and the lasting impact of books with its own publishing imprint, 8080 Books.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Australians are reading less than other countries, a new report shows. Why? theconversation.com/australians-... via @ConversationEDU
theconversation.com
Australians are reading less than other countries, a new report shows. Why?
Reading rates in Australia are falling – and price might be less of a factor than we think. We look at how Australia compares internationally, and what other countries are doing to boost reading.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Five tips to help you get your children reading for pleasure – with five books chosen by children theconversation.com/five-tips-to... via @ConversationUK
theconversation.com
Five tips to help you get your children reading for pleasure – with five books chosen by children
There is a book that will get every child excited to read, you just have to find it.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Hi Claire, Could you please add me in? Thanks :-)
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
This disseration looks very interesting. Onto the "to read" pile.
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
alex @dremenec.bsky.social · 28/10/2024
Generally we think of alt-text as the domain of those with accessibility needs. However alt-text is useful for many reasons, which benefit your viewers, as well as you, the creator!
An infographic. There are six panels.

1. "Slow internet. Alt text is shown in place of unloaded images." a drawing shows a phone with poor signal, and alt text is visible where the image should have loaded.

2. "Findabillity. Alt text helps to search content." A drawing shows someone searching 'dog with banana' and a post is shown underneath without the words 'dog' or 'banana'. It is implied to be part of the alt text.

3. "Screen readers. Alt is read out to people using text-to-speech software". There is a drawing of the output a screen-reader would show when viewing an image with alt text on bluesky.

4. "Translation. Alt text can be translated". A drawing shows a post being translated. The alt text is also translated into german.

5. "Readability. Text in images can be made legible" There is a drawing of some truly awful handwriting inside a speech bubble. The alt text clarifies what the text is supposed to say.

6. "Disambiguation. Description helps clarify intent." There is a drawing of a post with a picture of a creature. This is styled after the famous optical illusion of a rabbit and a duck. The alt text clarifies that the animal is a rabbit. It definitely looks more like a duck.
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Here is a link to a nice write-up about the Right to Read Conference Champions Access for the Visually Impaired Across Pacific Islands www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/w/news/2024/... via Accessible Books Consortium.
accessiblebooksconsortium.org
Right to Read Conference Champions Access for the Visually Impaired Across Pacific Islands
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Reclaiming open access: It’s time to prioritize investments in open infrastructure to realize truly transformational open access. universityaffairs.ca/opinion/in-m... via @ua_magazine
universityaffairs.ca
Reclaiming open access — University Affairs
It’s time to prioritize investments in open infrastructure to realize truly transformational open access.
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Reposted by Agata Mrva-Montoya
Farran Smith Nehme 🇱🇧 @selfstyledsiren.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Speaking of the utterly broken Twitter search (RIP), here are instructions for searching on Bluesky. It requires a little more from you, but once you know the prefixes, I've found the search works just fine. bsky.social/about/blog/0...
bsky.social
Tips and Tricks for Bluesky Search - Bluesky
Let’s dive into all the tips and tricks for advanced Bluesky search!
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Children aren’t reading for pleasure according to new research – here’s how you can help them love books theconversation.com/children-are... via @theconversation.bsky.social
theconversation.com
Children aren’t reading for pleasure according to new research – here’s how you can help them love books
Literary researchers like me aren’t surprised that reading for pleasure is at an all time low among kids
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Agata Mrva-Montoya @agatamontoya.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
The Publishing Scholarship for Indigenous Students covers tuition fees for the Master of Publishing or Graduate Diploma in Publishing. Applications now close 29 November 2024. sydney.edu.au/scholarships... Please get in touch if you have any questions.
sydney.edu.au
Publishing Scholarship for Indigenous Students
The scholarship provides financial support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to study a Graduate Certificate or a Master of Publishing at the University of Sydney.
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