Written by Robots? The Indie Publishing Controversy Explained

Kirsten Weiss here.

Today, I’m diving into a hot topic that’s stirring up the indie publishing world.

You may or may not have heard about the recent controversy where some indie authors were caught using AI to write their books.

And get this—the way they were caught was by leaving their AI writing prompts right inside their books.

Yep, the prompts were still there, like little breadcrumbs revealing the secret.

It’s almost like they skipped the editing process altogether, or at least didn’t do it very well.

The AI Writing Scandal: What Happened?

Some authors used AI to generate content and then forgot—or chose not—to remove the prompts they used to get that content.

One prompt I read asked the AI to write text that sounded like another author.

That’s... crossing a line, in my opinion. Not only does it feel unethical, but it also suggests the author doesn’t trust her own voice.

And that’s kind of sad.

It feels like the soul of writing is being lost in the rush to produce content (a word I've come to loathe).

Where I Use AI

Now, before you think I’m completely anti-AI, let me clarify.

Yes, I think there's a high probability AI's going to go Skynet and kill us all.

Or a villainous government will use AI and robots to subdue us all.

But AI is here, and it can be a timesaver.

I do use AI—but not to write my books.

Instead, I use AI as a tool for certain types of research (which I then double check because I don't trust it).

AI is surprisingly helpful for digging into the psychology behind people’s behavior, and this is gold when you’re developing characters for a mystery novel or cozy mystery.

Plus, I use AI to help with my blogging right here on my website.

This post was transcribed from the video above by AI and turned into a rough blog post, which I edited.

This process saves me from the tedious task of transcribing and gives my readers another way to engage with my content—whether they prefer reading or watching.

But when it comes to actually writing fiction, I don’t want AI involved.

Writing is fun.

I even like the editing. I like polishing a sentence. I like making something funny into something funnier.

I love writing and don't see the point of AI to do it.

When AI Brainstorming Falls Flat

I have also tried using AI as a brainstorming partner for plotting.

It was a disaster.

The ideas were clichéd and uninspired, which shouldn't have been a surprise, because AI is at heart a copyist.

AI takes what's out there and regurgitates it.

It's not a creator.

Plotting a mystery novel requires nuance, originality, and a bit of soul, which AI just can’t provide, at least not yet.

The World of Content: Art or Just Noise?

I don’t want to come down too hard on the authors caught using AI.

After all, this is the world we live in now—the world of content.

People often don’t care about the soul behind the work, the meaning, or the art.

It’s just content, endless streams of entertainment to consume.

And I can't throw stones, because sometimes I enjoy watching mindless content.

But when I’m reading, especially a mystery novel or cozy mystery, I want more.

I want a story that’s entertaining, with characters I can connect to and maybe some ideas to ponder afterward.

For me, fiction is more than just content.

It’s an experience.

The Mystery Behind the Mystery Novel

Remember back in school when your English teacher would ask, “What does this symbolize?” or “Why did the author do that?”

At the time, I hated it--I just wanted to pass the test and move on.

But now, as an adult, I appreciate those literary layers.

When I read a mystery novel, I want to enjoy the ride, but I also want to feel that depth, that subtle meaning behind the story.

I want to say to myself, “Oh, I get what she did there. That’s a metaphor for something bigger.”

This is what makes reading a mystery novel so rewarding.

It’s not just about solving the surface puzzle but appreciating the art behind it.

Why Indie Authors Feel Pressured to Use AI

As an indie author myself, I understand the pressure to publish a lot every year.

The market is crowded, and readers expect new content regularly.

This pressure can tempt some authors to take shortcuts, like using AI to churn out books faster.

I get it, even if I don’t agree with it.

But for me, writing a mystery novel is about crafting something meaningful, not just content to fill a page.

Would You Read a Book Written by AI?

So, what do you think?

Would you read a book written by AI?

How do you feel about the growing role of AI in our lives, especially in creative fields like writing?

I’m trying not to go overboard with my opinions.

AI is definitely here to stay.

But I also think we need to be mindful about how we use it and how it affects the stories we love.

Balancing AI and the Soul of Writing

There’s a magic to good writing that AI can’t replicate... at least not yet.

It’s the human touch, the unique voice, the emotional connection that makes a cozy mystery or any mystery novel special.

AI can be a tool, sure.

It can help with research (though it has to be checked - AI lies sometimes), transcription, and even marketing content.

But when it comes to the heart of storytelling, I only want to read a story written by a human, who understands human experiences.

Final Thoughts

The indie publishing world is changing fast.

AI is a big part of that change, for better or worse.

It’s exciting and a little scary.

But as readers and writers, we get to decide what kind of stories we want to tell and consume.

Do we want mere content, or do we want mystery novels that stir something inside us?

For me, the answer is clear.

I want stories with soul, with depth, and yes, with a little mystery that keeps me turning the pages.

Right now I'm working on a mystery that tackles some of the effects technology is having on us, Whispers of the Witch.

It's the next mystery novel in my Mystery School series, and is due this summer.

My focus in the book is influence--both magical and technological--and the premise is that bad people are using technology paired with magic to influence people.

It's fiction.

I think???

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this ongoing conversation about AI and the future of storytelling.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel