Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various sectors, including publishing. While AI can be a godsend for assisting with tasks like data analysis and administrative duties, its encroachment into the realm of creative writing has sparked significant debate. As the CEO of The Stygian Society, I, Holly Rhiannon, feel compelled to address these developments and reaffirm our commitment to human creativity.
Case Study: The Jane Friedman Incident
In August 2023, publishing expert Jane Friedman discovered multiple books falsely attributed to her on Amazon and Goodreads. These books, written in her niche of publishing advice, mimicked her writing style but were AI-generated. The content appeared to be trained on her publicly available work, making them seem legitimate to unsuspecting readers.
Amazon’s Initial Refusal
When Friedman reported the fraudulent books, Amazon refused to remove them, stating:
She did not own a trademark on her name.
She could not claim copyright over books she did not write.
Since Goodreads pulls data from Amazon, the fake books also appeared on her official profile there, misleading readers.
Public Outcry and Removal
After Friedman publicly exposed the issue, industry professionals and media outlets rallied behind her. Under pressure, Amazon and Goodreads eventually removed the books. But of course, during this process, major gaps in platform protections were revealed.
Friedman’s experience is a disturbing one; showing how vulnerable authors are to AI-generated fraud. Without stricter protections, these issues will continue to grow, damaging reputations and misleading readers.
Case Study: The NaNoWriMo Incident
In September 2024, NaNoWriMo faced backlash after supporting the use of AI tools for writers, particularly for those who are disabled or marginalized. The organization’s stance sparked debates over the role of AI in writing and its potential impact on authors.
For me personally (while on a train ride home from a family wedding), I immediately resigned as Municipal Liaison for the Montréal area (as did my fellow MLs), created a website, updated our Discord, and sent out press releases in an effort to build a competitor challenge that would be free of AI. It was a productive train ride.
NaNoWriMo’s Statement
This all started when NaNoWriMo issued a statement claiming that AI tools could help writers from underrepresented groups by making writing more accessible. The comment was poorly received, as it seemed to endorse AI-generated content without addressing the ethical concerns surrounding AI use in the creative process. Writers who live with disabilities, made their response clear: they did not need AI to write.
Writers React
Authors, including Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Daniel José Older, publicly criticized NaNoWriMo. Many pointed out the fact that AI tools steal creative work and do not respect the artistry behind writing. The backlash led some authors to distance themselves from the nonprofit.
The Aftermath
NaNoWriMo claimed their original statement was one of neutrality rather than support, clarifying that it did understand the ethical concerns of generative AI. However, the clarification was viewed (rightfully so) as wishy-washy. The damage to the organization's reputation was already done. Not to mention, their addition of an AI-focused sponsor made the whole thing pretty suspect.
The NaNoWriMo incident shows how quickly public trust can be lost when organizations overlook the complexities surrounding AI in the creative world.
Ethical Implications and Our Stance on AI in Publishing
The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) has expressed concerns about the use of AI in creative fields. They emphasize that generative AI systems often rely on vast amounts of published writing for training, frequently without obtaining consent from the original authors. TWUC asserts that authors should have the right to refuse the use of their work for AI training and that such practices without permission constitute copyright infringement.
At The Stygian Society, we share these concerns. We believe that literature is a uniquely human endeavour, which pulls directly from personal experiences, emotions, and imagination. While AI can serve as a tool to handle administrative tasks, it should not replace the creative process that defines authentic storytelling.
Supporting Human Creativity: The Order of the Written Word
In response to the growing influence of AI in creative spaces, we launched The Order of the Written Word. This initiative offers writing challenges and year-round support for authors, poets, and storytellers who are committed to preserving the human aspect of creativity. Participants are provided with opportunities for publication and access to resources aimed at honing their craft, all within a community that resists AI.
On top of a large challenge in November focusing on writing 30,000 words in one month, we run Spring and Summer conclaves (in March and July respectively) in which authors are challenged to write for one hour every day of the month.
Checklist for Authors: Protecting Your Creative Work From AI
So, what can you as an author do to protect yourself in this concerning new world of generative AI? We've put together a checklist full of proactive steps to help you safeguard your work; protecting your reputation, and intellectual property.
✅ Trademark Your Name – If you are a public-facing author with published works, consider trademarking your name to prevent unauthorized use.
✅ Buy Your Domain Name – Secure a website domain to establish your official online presence.
✅ Create Verified Social Media Profiles – Maintain official author profiles on major platforms to prevent impersonation.
✅ Register Your Works with Copyright Offices – In many countries, copyright is automatic upon creation, but official registration (e.g., U.S. Copyright Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office) provides additional legal protections.
✅ Use Copyright Notices – Clearly mark your work with a copyright statement (e.g., “© [Your Name] [Year]. All rights reserved.”).
✅ Monitor Copyright Infringements – Use tools like Google Alerts, Copyscape, or DMCA takedown services to check for unauthorized use of your work. You can also file a DMCA takedown notice on your own but please do your research on the legal elements of this process.
✅ Update Your Website’s Robots.txt File – Prevent web crawlers from scraping your site for AI training by adding restrictive commands to your robots.txt file. Ironically, if you have no idea how to do this, AI is an excellent resource.
✅ Use NoAI & NoGPT Meta Tags – If you publish online, include these meta tags to signal AI models not to use your content for training.
✅ Restrict Access to Your Digital Content – Use watermarking, password-protected PDFs, and controlled distribution for unpublished manuscripts.
You, of course, must remain constantly vigilant. Regularly search your name on Amazon and other retailers to catch any AI-generated books falsely attributed to you. If you find unauthorized works, report them immediately and file formal complaints with the platform.
Stay informed on AI and publishing policies, as regulations continue to shift. Support author organizations like The Writers’ Union of Canada, Authors Guild, and Society of Authors, which advocate for stronger protections. Push for transparency by backing efforts that demand clear labeling of AI-generated content, and most importantly, share what you learn—help fellow writers protect their work from AI misuse.
If you want to learn more about what you can do if fraudulent works appear on Amazon, be sure to check out Jane Friedman's blog on the topic.
A Call to Action for the Literary Community
So, should authors be afraid of AI? Not if we stay informed, vigilant, and united. AI is a tool—one that can be misused, but also one that can be resisted when we stand together to protect human creativity. By advocating for ethical guidelines, demanding transparency, and supporting one another, we can push back against AI’s encroachment on storytelling.
At The Stygian Society, we believe that stories should be created by human hands and minds, shaped by lived experiences, emotions, and imagination. The literary world has always been a place of resilience, and with a strong, dedicated community, we will continue to uphold the integrity of human-driven storytelling for generations to come.
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