Category: Hindsight 2020

I Fear Liberal White Women Will Think This Scifi Dramedy Novel Is A Little Too ‘Trashy’ For Their Tastes

This novel is not intended to be high art; rather, it is meant to be engaging, accessible, and enjoyable, even as it moves toward a somewhat melancholy conclusion. In that sense, I would compare its ending to that of the film Her, as the two share certain emotional and thematic resonances.

At its core, the story follows a sexbot sex worker and the unusual agreement she forms with her subscriber. I find the premise compelling and rich with narrative potential, though I am aware that its subject matter may give some pause—particularly within more traditional literary circles.

That said, quality ultimately matters more than categorization. If the novel succeeds on its own terms–if it is genuinely engaging and well-executed–then its more pulpy or unconventional elements may prove less of an obstacle than I sometimes imagine.

I have also found myself reflecting on the role of AI in my writing process. At times, I have used it for light editing—much in the way writers have historically relied on tools like spellcheck or grammar suggestions. Given the amount of effort I have invested in this work, I would find it frustrating if such use were misunderstood or dismissed outright. Still, I recognize that sensitivities around AI in creative work are real and evolving.

For what it is worth, I am careful to revise extensively in my own voice, ensuring that the final product reflects my intent and sensibility. While I am aware of broader conversations about AI-generated writing, I do not see those concerns applying in any substantial way to this project.

As for the novel’s more provocative elements, it is difficult to predict how they will be received. It could go either way. However, my instinct is that the story’s underlying strength—its emotional core and narrative drive—will ultimately carry more weight than any perceived “trashy” qualities, particularly with those whose opinions matter most in the publishing process.

I Have To Say, This Scifi Dramedy Is Shaping Up To Be Pretty Good

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

As I plow through this latest draft of the novel and rewrite more and more scenes completely, the overall effect is pretty good. As I keep saying, I’m probably going to read this thing one last time after this just for some last-minute editing before I hand it over to beta readers.

Of course, finding beta readers willing to simply do what I need them to do — read the novel — may be so difficult that I just trust my gut and go straight into querying. One fear I have is my beta readers will, for various reasons, think the novel is too “spicy” and get turned off, even though in general the novel is actually pretty good.

Just today, I realized there were some ways to make the novel a little bit more deep. I don’t know if I’ll be able to add those elements, though. But it is something to think about.

But, in general, I hope to keep going onward and up ward. I really do hope to wrap this process up in time to query the novel by Sept. 1st. I am very, very weary of querying, since it will be my first time doing it.

Once I wrap this novel up and start querying, that is when I can start working on the next novel, even though I’m probably a little too old to creatively do anything but just stare out into space and feel bad about how much time I squandered thinking about a failed expat magazine in Seoul.

I’m Reasonably Pleased With The State of This Scifi Dramedy

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

I’m cruising through this latest draft of the scifi dramedy I’ve been working on at a pretty nice little clip. It’s always possible that I may run into some part of the novel that is just too difficult to easily rework, but that has yet to happen.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with what I have.

I am, as I have said, a little worried that it’s a little too “spicy” on a consistant basis. But, given what the novel is about — a sexbot — I think, I suppose, that you can give me a little bit of wiggle room on that matter.

But I do worry that the average reader will be put off by how much sex there is in this novel. And, yet, I just don’t know. I really don’t know. It could be one of those things where people will be completely blase about the amount of sex in the novel and will be a lot more worried about my use of AI to develop it and to “gently” edit it.

That would be, as they say, rather ironic.

Anyway, one issue that I’ve had, that of the novel being a little too “episodic” has largely been fixed, at least in the “fun and games” part of the novel. That’s where I am at the moment, rewriting the fun-and-games part of the novel.

Claude LLM is a really good writing partner. Though I still use Gemini LLM as well, just maybe not as much. Both are really good tools for development.

I Worry My Scifi Dramedy Is A Little Too ‘Spicy’

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

I once had Claude LLM tell me I was being “lazy” to lean into spicy content in a scene. So, with that in mind, even though I’m breezing through a lot of the “fun and games” part of the novel, it’s coming at the cost of there being a lot — A LOT — of spicy content.

And, yet, the novel is ostensibly about a conscious sexbot, so it’s not like the average reader wouldn’t go into the novel not knowing that there will be a lot of sex the novel.

I just worry that I *am* being…lazy.

And, yet, the content itself is pretty good — at least in my opinion. So, as such, I think I need to just swallow my pride, get over myself and just let there be a lot of spicy content in the novel.

It Seems Even Getting AI To ‘Gently’ Edit My Novel May Be A Problem

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

My latest plan is this: I’m going to go through and color correct my novel then make another pass where I really go out of my way to eliminate any sense of “AI speak” from the text.

I may even get to the point where I totally rewrite scenes simply to make them sound more human, if need be.

I thought I had it all figured out. I was going to tell AI to “gently” edit my copy and that would replace the need for a human editor. But now, alas, every time I read that gently edited copy “AI speak” seems to have creeped into the an unacceptable degree.

I still have some slack in the planned chronology of events leading up to me actually querying this novel, so I think I can actually sit down and rewrite scenes as necessary once I get to that point.

But I’m feeling hyper aware of AI’s influence on my work ever since the situation with the Shy Girl novel came to the fore. Anyway, wish me luck, I guess.

The SAVE Act Is America’s Enabling Acts

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

Well, it looks like those motherfucking Republicans are going to cheat and use the reconciliation process to pass the SAVE Act. This is an example of why everything is horrible these days.

It’s also an example of why I really want to leave the country and never look back. I may be too fucking old to have much fun, but I can at least live in a country that values democracy and liberal order ideals.

But, alas, for the time being, I’m fucking stuck in the USA which seems to be circling the fascist drain.

So, there probably won’t be a free and fair election this year. A lot of people are going to be pissed when they can’t vote. It will be a fork in the road — either there’s something like a General Strike and something changes or…we just shrug and Trump continues to consolidate power.

I think Trump is going to consolidate power without nary a peep out of anyone but the usual suspects. And that will be that. The USA will become a “managed democracy” like they have in Russia, Turkey and Hungary.

Good luck.

Things Are Going Well With This Scifi Dramedy Except For The Possibility That I Can’t Sell It Because I Am An ‘AI First’ Author (Ugh)

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

Let me be clear — AGAIN: I have written this novel. But I will also admit that I have used it a lot in its development and editing. So, I can see how AI writing programs might go off should it ever get fed into one.

But I did a lot of work, I swear!

I just see AI as a writing tool, like a typewriter. Or maybe a spell check.

And, yet, I totally get why there is a huge taboo about AI writing if you try to traditionally publish a novel. If there isn’t the taboo, then assholes will use AI to write a novel based just on an idea.

They won’t actually do any work.

It just…I worry that all my hard work will be overlooked just because of the way I use AI. And, yet, who knows. As I’ve mentioned before, all I have is my gut on this one.

And my gut tells me I should be in the clear, ultimately.

All I Have Is My Gut

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

So. I’m making my way through the novel I’ve written and because of the “Shy Girl” controversy I am being given pause for thought. I have used AI a lot with this novel, but not to actually write it beyond it being “gently” edited using the technology.

My gut tells me that I should be in the clear.

The issue with “Shy Girl” was that, like, 75% of the novel was generated by AI. So, I hope — HOPE — that I’ll be in the clear if I just get AI to edit my novel. And the only reason why I’m getting it to edit my novel in the first place is I’m broke as hell and could never afford a human editor.

But, who knows.

It could be I’m totally wrong and even the way I’m using AI is taboo and I’m fucked. If that’s the case, I have a back up novel that I will piviot to that I will be a lot, A LOT, more careful about using AI.

And, yet, I’m not prepared to give up on this specific novel I’m working right now. I’m going to wrap it up and start working on a new novel whenever I get into the beta reading process.

I’m still on track to query this novel around Sept 1st. But I guess I’m trying to managed my expectations.

The ‘Shy Girl’ Controversy and AI in Novel Writing

The Case of ‘Shy Girl’

The recent cancellation of Mia Ballard’s horror novel, “The Shy Girl,” by Hachette Book Group has sent ripples through the publishing industry, highlighting the growing concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative writing [1] [2]. The novel, initially self-published in 2025 and later acquired by Hachette, was slated for a traditional release in 2026. However, accusations of significant AI involvement in its creation led to its withdrawal.

Allegations surfaced online, suggesting that large portions of the novel were generated by AI. These claims were reportedly supported by AI detection tools, with one prominent tool, Pangram, indicating that 78% of the book’s content was AI-generated [3] [4]. Mia Ballard, the author, denied personally using AI for writing the novel. She contended that an acquaintance she hired to assist with editing might have used AI without her knowledge [1] [5].

Hachette’s decision to pull the novel, despite Ballard’s denial, underscores the publishing world’s increasing vigilance regarding AI authorship. This incident marks a significant precedent, as “The Shy Girl” appears to be the first commercial novel from a major publishing house to be withdrawn due to evidence of AI use [1] [2]. The controversy was further complicated by earlier issues surrounding the novel’s cover art, which used an image without proper licensing, leading to requests for its removal by the original artist [6].

This case has ignited a broader debate about the reliability of AI detection tools, the ethical boundaries of AI assistance in creative processes, and the responsibilities of authors and publishers in maintaining originality and transparency.

Key Issues and Risks for Novelists

1. Reliability of AI Detection Tools

The “Shy Girl” case heavily relied on the output of AI detection software. While these tools are becoming more sophisticated, their accuracy and reliability are still subjects of debate. False positives can occur, and the definition of “AI-generated” content can be ambiguous, especially when AI is used for brainstorming, outlining, or minor edits rather than full content generation. Over-reliance on these tools by publishers could lead to unjust accusations or the rejection of genuinely human-authored work.

2. Authorship, Originality, and Authenticity

The core of the controversy revolves around authorship. When AI contributes significantly to a work, it blurs the lines of who the true author is. For readers, the authenticity of a human voice and original thought is often paramount. If a work is perceived as primarily AI-generated, it can diminish its artistic value and the connection readers feel with the author. Publishers are also concerned about maintaining the integrity of their catalogs and the trust of their audience.

3. Evolving Publisher Policies and Contracts

Following incidents like “The Shy Girl,” major publishing houses are rapidly developing and refining their policies on AI use. Some publishers, like Penguin Random House, have begun adding clauses to contracts explicitly prohibiting the use of their books for AI training without consent and emphasizing copyright protection [7]. Hachette itself has indicated a zero-tolerance stance on significant AI involvement in submitted manuscripts [2]. Authors must be acutely aware of these evolving contractual obligations and disclosure requirements, as non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including contract termination and reputational damage.

4. Reputational Damage and Public Perception

For an author, being accused of using AI to write a novel can be devastating to their career and public image. The “Shy Girl” incident demonstrates how quickly such allegations can spread and lead to widespread backlash from readers and the industry. Even if an author denies direct AI use, as Ballard did, the perception alone can be enough to cause significant harm.

5. Copyright and Ownership

The legal landscape surrounding AI-generated content and copyright is still largely undefined. In many jurisdictions, including the U.S., works created solely by AI without human authorship are not eligible for copyright protection. This poses a significant risk for authors who rely heavily on AI, as their work might not be legally protectable, potentially leading to issues with intellectual property rights and monetization.

Practical Assessment and Recommendations for Novelists

Given these risks, novelists using AI in their workflow should adopt a cautious and transparent approach:

  • Understand AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: View AI as an assistant for specific tasks (e.g., brainstorming, research, grammar checks, generating variations) rather than a primary content creator. The core narrative, character development, and unique voice should remain distinctly human.
  • Maintain Significant Human Oversight: Ensure that every word, sentence, and plot point generated or suggested by AI is thoroughly reviewed, edited, and reshaped by human intellect. The final output must reflect your unique creative vision and effort.
  • Transparency with Publishers: Be upfront and honest with your publisher about how you utilize AI in your writing process. Understand their specific policies and contractual clauses regarding AI. Proactive disclosure can build trust and prevent future misunderstandings.
  • Document Your Process: Keep detailed records of your writing process, including when and how AI tools were used. This documentation can serve as evidence of your human authorship and creative input if questions arise.
  • Focus on Human-Centric Elements: Emphasize elements that AI struggles with, such as nuanced emotional depth, complex thematic exploration, and truly original concepts. These are areas where human creativity shines.
  • Stay Informed: The field of AI and its implications for creative industries are rapidly evolving. Stay updated on new AI tools, detection methods, legal developments, and industry best practices.
  • Consider the “Gently Edit” Aspect: If using AI for
    editing, ensure that the AI is used for grammatical corrections, stylistic suggestions, or identifying repetitive phrasing, rather than rewriting significant portions of your narrative. The goal should be to refine your voice, not replace it.

Conclusion

The “Shy Girl” incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of integrating AI into creative workflows. While AI offers powerful tools that can augment a novelist’s process, it also introduces significant challenges related to authorship, authenticity, and industry perception. By understanding these risks and adopting a thoughtful, transparent, and human-centric approach to AI use, novelists can harness its benefits while safeguarding their creative integrity and professional reputation.

References

[1] Hachette pulls horror novel Shy Girl after suspected AI use – The Guardian
[2] A.I. Is Writing Fiction. Publishers Are Unprepared. – The New York Times
[3] Novel Pulled From Shelves After Author Is Accused of Using AI – Futurism
[4] An AI detection tool found 78% of the content in the horror novel … – Instagram
[5] Writer denies it, but publisher pulls horror novel after multiple allegations of AI use – Ars Technica
[6] A Major Book Release Was Scrapped Due to AI Accusations – Lit Laugh Luv Substack
[7] Authors Guild Encouraged by Penguin Random House’s … – Authors Guild