By Amanda Miller

Regardless of where you stand on AI, one thing is clear: the publishing industry is no longer sitting on the sidelines.

Behind the scenes, real changes are already happening—editors are asking new questions, bookstores are making decisions about what they will and won’t carry, and publishing platforms are beginning to track AI use in ways that could shape future opportunities for authors.

The changes we are seeing now are impacting writers’ credibility, authorship and how their  work is perceived in an evolving landscape.

In this article, we’ll look at how the industry is responding to AI and what that means for you as an author navigating this new terrain.

How the Publishing Industry Is Responding to AI (Right Now)

Editors and Publishers 

 From inside the publishing process, the response is already underway. Editors are now asking authors directly: “Has AI been used in this manuscript?” This question is quickly becoming standard, as it directly impacts how they approach editing the work.

AI-generated content often introduces:

• inconsistencies in tone
• overly generalized language
• and factual inaccuracies (what’s often referred to as “hallucinations”)

Because of this, editors are approaching AI-influenced manuscripts with more scrutiny and more questions.

As a publishing consultant, I’ve also begun incorporating this into my process. If AI has been used, it changes how I guide an author—because it will inevitably impact their goals.

If an author’s goal is to become a thought leader, they need to develop and express their own ideas. If they want to be seen as a reputable author creating original work, then their cover design should reflect that as well.

Even with modification, AI-generated cover art introduces risk. Readers judge a book by its cover. If a cover appears AI-generated, readers may assume the same about the content inside.

Bookstores

Bookstores are also beginning to take a position.

Some bookstores have already chosen not to stock books that rely heavily on AI for writing, editing, or design.

Moravian Bookshop in Bethlehem, PA is one example. The store has placed a ban on books that heavily rely on AI in either their writing or cover design. Gail Schoepple, trade book manager at the Moravian Book Shop, shared that the policy was driven by a desire to protect the integrity of creative work and support human authors, editors, and artists.

Print-on-Demand Platforms (Amazon KDP & Ingram)

Print-on-demand platforms are also beginning to respond to AI, primarily through tracking and transparency.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) now asks authors during the upload process whether AI has been used in the creation of their book. At this stage, this appears to be for data-collection purposes only. However, it does raise an important question: what happens next? As policies evolve, it’s possible that Amazon could begin categorizing or even flagging books that have used AI in their production.

Ingram is also taking steps—though from a different angle. The company has acknowledged a growing trend of AI companies purchasing physical books in order to scan and use them for training models. In response, Ingram is now allowing publishers to opt-out of having their books sold directly to AI companies for this purpose.

While these changes may feel behind the scenes, they point to a larger shift: platforms are beginning to track AI involvement and give publishers more control over how their content is used.

For authors, this signals that AI is no longer just a creative tool, it’s something being monitored at the distribution level as well.

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Book)

The purpose of this article is not to debate the ethics of AI use, but to ensure authors are informed so they can make decisions with clarity and intention.

If you’re going to use AI in any part of your process, here’s how to move forward responsibl

1. Educate yourself before you implement anything.AI is evolving quickly, and the rules are changing with it. Resources like Jane Friedman’s ongoing guidance on AI are essential for staying current and making informed decisions.
2. Be transparent with your team and demand transparency back.
   Your editor, designer, and publisher need to know if AI has been used, whether in writing, revisions, or artwork. But this goes both ways. You should also ask if your team is using AI in their work. In the Hachette/Shy Girl case, the latter book was ultimately pulled after concerns surfaced about undisclosed AI use, with the author later acknowledging AI involvement and attributing it to an acquaintance who edited the work.
3. Fact-check everything.
   More and more people are using AI tools under the false pretense that what it generates is always factual. AI can sound confident and still be wrong. Accuracy is still your responsibility as an author. If you don’t know how to fact check your work, be sure to hire an editor who does.
4. Consider how your readers will perceive you.
   If you write an entire manuscript yourself but then use an AI-generated cover, readers may question the authenticity of the book. Bookstores may hesitate to carry it. Your authority may be impacted before a single page is read.

Final Thoughts:

AI is evolving at an incredibly rapid pace, and the publishing industry is still working to catch up. Laws and guidelines will take time to develop, and even then, many decisions will likely continue to be made on a case-by-case basis.

At this stage, there seems to be more risks than rewards when it comes to using AI in your book. While it can speed up the writing process, it may also limit opportunities for authors who are serious about building credibility, securing reviews, or pursuing traditional publishing.

As the landscape continues to shift, it’s important to stay informed and check in with experts to see how the industry is responding.

Amanda Miller is a self-publishing consultant with My Word Publishing who is passionate about guiding authors through the maze of self-publishing and helping them bring their written works to life. She is a writer of poetry and nonfiction essays. If you have a book in you, contact Amanda at [email protected]

 

BlueInk Review offers serious, unbiased reviews of self-published and traditionally published books penned by writers drawn largely from major mainstream publications, such as The New York Times and Washington Post, editors of respected traditional publishing houses and high-profile blogs. Select reviews appear in Booklist magazine, a highly respected review publication that reaches 60,000 librarians. For more great tips about writing, publishing and marketing, sign up for our free newsletter.