Meta Stole Thousands of Books to Train AI: What Authors Can Do Now
Meta used thousands of books to train their AI. Authors were never asked. We weren’t notified. And we certainly weren’t compensated. So now what?
If you’re an author who uses Instagram or Facebook to connect with readers, this is a gut punch.
In March 2025, The Atlantic revealed that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, used a massive dataset of books to train its LLaMA AI model and did so without the permission or knowledge of the authors.
Let me say that again: your published book may have been used to train Meta’s AI without your consent.
Whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, hybrid, indie, fiction, or nonfiction - this affects you.
And, believe me, I know how tempting it is to say, “That’s it. I’m out. I’m deleting my accounts today!”
But for most authors, especially those still growing their audience and income, that’s not a realistic option. So today I want to offer you a path forward.
Let’s walk through what happened, what it means, and how you can respond using what I call the Conscientious Creator Framework.
What Happened: Meta Trained Its AI Using Books Without Permission
In their exposé, The Atlantic shared that Meta used a large language model dataset known as “Books3” - a massive collection of books scraped from the internet - to train its AI model.
This dataset included over 180,000 books, many of which were under copyright protection.
Authors didn’t agree to this. They weren’t compensated. And for most, this theft happened silently in the background of a platform they’ve used and supported for years.
Meta isn’t the only company using books to train AI, but its role as the owner of Facebook and Instagram (platforms where authors actively market their work) makes this a particularly painful betrayal.
So what now?
Take Action to Protect Your Work
If you suspect your book may have been used - or simply want to make your stance clear - The Authors Guild is leading the way in helping writers respond.
Go to AuthorsGuild.org
They share a template that you can use to send Meta a formal notice that they do not have the right to use your book.
The Authors Guild is also organizing collective legal responses, issuing public statements, and working to protect authors' rights in the digital age.
The Authors Guild also recommends adding a “NO AI TRAINING” notice on the copyright page of your books.
They share other great tips and action steps that you can take now to protect yourself, your book, and future books.
There are also amazing people like Olivia Maynes who is an attorney for authors and creators that you can follow and connect with for more personalized information.
The Conscientious Creator Framework: A Values-Based Response
Before we jump into what we can do next, I want to acknowledge something many of us are feeling right now: helplessness.
What Meta has done is enraging. And what makes it worse is the sense that we have no real power to respond. We depend on these platforms to reach our readers. We’ve spent years building communities there. So when a company this massive crosses a line this big, it’s easy to feel like we’re trapped - like we just have to accept it or risk losing everything.
But I want you to know: you are not powerless. We are not at their mercy. There are options.
And while change might not happen overnight, every intentional step you take builds momentum.
And so many authors have asked, “What do I do? What steps can I take?”
With this in mind, I created something that I call the Conscientious Creator Framework. It’s a process to give you clear, doable paths forward. You don’t have to burn it all down or pretend this didn’t happen. There’s a middle ground.
Here are three pathways that you can take. They depend on your goals, your audience, and your level of frustration with Meta’s actions.
Path A: Stay and Speak
If you’re not ready (or able) to leave Facebook or Instagram, you can stay, strategically.
Speak out on your platforms. Share what’s happening with your followers.
Post about the article. Link to the Authors Guild. Educate your readers.
Make it clear: “I’m here to connect with readers - not because I support Meta’s behavior, but because this is where my readers are.”
By occupying the space with integrity and transparency, you maintain your audience and make your values known.
Path B: Create Your Exit Ramp
If you want to reduce your reliance on Meta-owned platforms, I recommend creating a 90-day “exit ramp.”
Here’s what that might look like:
Shift more of your content toward email list growth.
Funnel readers to your website, Substack, or blog/podcast.
Test and explore other platforms: Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, Substack, LinkedIn.
Use Instagram to guide people elsewhere: “You’ll find more of my content over here…”
This path gives you time to build a stronger foundation without cutting off your current visibility.
Path C: Clean Break
If staying on Meta feels like a betrayal of your values, and you’re ready to leave - go for it.
A clean, values-driven departure can be a powerful moment:
Let your audience know why you’re leaving.
Direct them to your new home - email list, YouTube, Patreon, etc.
Use your voice to amplify the issue, then keep showing up elsewhere.
Some authors have already made this move. And while it can be tough, it’s not the end of your platform. It’s a new chapter.
A Practical Plan for Every Author
Regardless of the path you choose, here are 5 steps you can take right now to reclaim your platform and protect your work:
1. Audit Your Dependence on Meta
Where do your book sales come from?
What would change if you stopped using Instagram/Facebook today?
Where else could you focus your time and energy?
2. Grow an Owned Platform (Start with Email)
If you do nothing else, grow your email list. An email list is your reader pipeline. It’s algorithm-proof and it belongs to you.
Offer a freebie, quiz, or reader magnet and invite people to join you there.
If building a website and newsletter isn’t in your budget or bandwidth right now, Substack is a free and easy to navigate option to help you get started.
3. Explore Alternatives
Your readers aren’t just on Meta. They’re on Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, in-person events, bookclubs, online reader groups, and in email.
Find one or two you like and start experimenting.
If you aren’t sure which one to pick, I have a free tool called Pick Your Platform that will help you discover the best outlet to connect with readers.
4. Use Your Voice
This moment matters. You don’t have to be silent. Speak up. Share articles. Educate other authors. Rally your community.
What Meta Took and What They Can’t Take
Meta may have used our books to train their AI. But they can’t steal our voices. They can’t own our connection with readers. And they can’t stop us from creating a better, more ethical future for authors.
You don’t have to disappear. You don’t have to choose outrage or survival.
You can choose both conscience and clarity.
And if you need help building a platform that aligns with your values and grows your readership, I’m here.
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We’ve got this - and we can do it together.