I read this recently published article by Alexandra Alter in the New York Times about AI use in publishing and I wanted to highlight some interesting quotes and see what other people thoughts on it are. Here's a link to the article without the paywall.

Quick summary of the article: A romance author used AI to publish a lot (200+) of books under different pen names, some without disclosing that they were made with AI. She's taught classes on how to use AI to publish a novel, specifically in the romance genre. Other authors have come forward to say they've used AI in some part to publish their novels, even if it's to help in the drafting/outlining process.

"She’s rolling out her proprietary A.I. writing program, which can generate a book based on an outline in less than an hour, and costs between $80 and $250 a month."

Truly, I am not surprised that an AI program such as this is rolling out. Disappointed, perhaps, but not surprised. It seems that much like the .com boom decades ago, many many companies are creating AIs that can fit a very specific niche and marketing it to consumers. It seems like this is only the beginning. Technology will only improve from here. Was this inevitable?

"But she predicts attitudes will soon change, and is adding three new pen names that will be openly A.I.-assisted, she said.

The way Ms. Hart sees it, romance writers must either embrace artificial intelligence, or get left behind."

Dang. Do you agree? Will authors that create novels with zero AI assistance (not even in the drafting/outlining stages) be left behind? As a reader, how do you feel about reading a novel that has had some AI assistance in the early outlining stages, but the writing itself is human created?

The article ends with the quote: "'Eventually,” Ms. West said, “readers will not care.'"

I know I definitely disagree. I'm confident that I'm always going to prefer to read something that was created by a human instead of AI.

So I’ve been trying to get into audiobooks and I wanted to know if anyone knows any good audiobook apps. I’m currently using audible and with audible I hate that I have to have credits to listen to a book and can only use that credit to listen to a “free” book so if anyone knows any other app recommendations please let me know. Thank you so much!!!!!🥰🤍

What’s your favorite book to movie adaptation? And do you refuse to watch a movie until you’ve read the book? (I do which means my TBR and TBW lists are both ridiculous)😭😅

I felt like having a whinge because I’m in the queue for a couple books at the library and I’m getting impatient bc it’s been about a month lol. I only recently started borrowing physical books again to support my local libraries but I’m soooo impatient 😭

I primarily borrow ebooks and if my local library network doesn’t have the book I want, I just borrow from another network. Luckily where I live you don’t have to pay a non-resident fee, and I have a library card in three different library networks. So you can see how I’m not used to waiting for books! 😅

So I have been doing some deep diving research recently with how I am vetting new to me authors for being ai pen names. These ai authors are becoming especially prevalent and promoted on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. In just the last few days I have found multiple "Publishing" companies that are full of ai generated authors. I have made a shelf on my library of the ones I am sure of (as sure as you can be but I will explain my process more in determination)

This would not necessarily be me saying you shouldn't read these or a blacklist of any kind more of a notification like a trigger warning or informational that these authors are very likely ai. My intent is for it to be a just so you know and can then due your own due diligence and make a educated decision for yourself.

How I have been making my determinations: note none of these alone are deal breakers more like with all these things connected it would lead one to come to a reasonable conclusion that this author is using or is ai generated.

1. Check their Social media. Is it full of ai images. No face of the author or author interaction videos. Does the author respond to comments? Who are they tagging in their covers or character art? Any afflation with online publishing companies. What is their bio on said publishing authors pages. If it seems like it might be an author that wishes to remain faceless and more anonymous (I read and follow many who do) I will message them asking about a book or how they do their cover art and see what if any response I get back. I will specifically ask if they are using ai in their writing with varied reactions.

2. Run their covers and character art they have posted publicly into multiple ai Image detectors. I know these are not 100%. I have tested the ones I use that are highly rated for accuracy using images I know are ai generated and other I know are not to gauge. The ones I use are Hive Moderation, Hugging Face and Winston Ai.

3. Check the authors backlog. Did they publish 47 books in one year. Yes is a real number I recently found on an authors GoodReads list.

4. If the author is associated with a publisher I go check out that publisher. A few blatantly state they are ai and promote ai works. Example, Future Fiction Press. While others are obvious but try really hard not to use the word ai. Example, Scarlet Gryphon publishing. Most of the time I have found that the authors page is just ai and heavily photoshopped pics and generic bios. All a close variation to the other. Also no option to contact or email a person except to apply to be an author.

5. I will say with looking into this more and more I am starting to see certain repetitive things like a bunch of search words just listed in the title. Example, The Vampire Viking's Claim: A Dark BWWM Viking Vampire Time Travel Romance Terrible capitalization and obvious grammar mistakes in the title and synopsis.

I truly would prefer that the were more obvious oversight and labeling for usage of ai in creative arts but I know that we are not there yet. In the future I hope there will be systems in place to require authors to state they used generative ai and in what context to what degree. Until then my list is more geared toward this new influx of actually ai pen names and ai bot authors being promoted on Amazon and such. I am not an authority by any means and I am not telling anyone what to read or not read. Just as having a list for Global Mystery or Historical Romance is there for those that are interested.

I am curious for anyone else's perspective!

I have tried so hard to but it really ruins a book for me if the speaker’s voice or acting is annoying. I also think my listening comprehension isn’t as good so that probably plays a part. No hate to those who love audiobooks, it’s just not the same experience for me.

Have y'all noticed the fake stickers on books getting bigger?

It's like the marketing teams/Publishers know we hate them so decided to be obnoxious about how large of a fake sticker they can get away with. I noticed it today on the Heated Rivalry cover where the fake sticker takes up half the cover and same with the Normal People fake sticker.

Unnecessary!

Lowkey I feel like there's no good reading position. Laying on your side? If your reading a physical book (not an ebook) its difficult to read. Laying on your stomach and looking down? After a few minutes it starts to hurt. Laying on your back and book against your legs propped up? Can also hurt your neck and bad lighting can make this out of the question.

Anyway you guys find a comfy reading position? I have yet to :(

I can listen to it free on Libby, but I usually listen to audiobooks at work. Every once in awhile, my earbud will come out, and my phone will start blasting what I am playing. I think maybe audiobook might not be the best plan. 🤣 So now it's in my Nook library. 📚

I’ve just been gifted this book with no explanation about what is going to happen. Does everyone recommend going into this blind ? 🫣

how do you decide when its time to DNF a book?