Horror novel cancelled amid AI concerns
Mia Ballard's novel has been cancelled amid AI worries.
The release of a horror book has been cancelled amid concerns about AI.
Shy Girl by American author Mia Ballard was originally scheduled for release in April, but the project has now been scrapped altogether after it was suggested that AI was used to help write it.
Ballard has denied using AI to write the book. However, the author has confirmed to the New York Times newspaper that an acquaintance she hired to edit the original version had used the technology.
She said: "This controversy has changed my life in many ways and my mental health is at an all time low and my name is ruined for something I didn't even personally do."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Hachette, the publishing company, has told BBC News that the firm remains committed to "original creative expression".
The publishing company said: "Hachette remains committed to protecting original creative expression and storytelling.
"Orbit (in the US) will not publish Shy Girl, and Wildfire (in the UK) have decided to no longer continue publishing their edition."
The original version of the book was published in 2025. However, one reviewer claimed that it appeared to be "written by ChatGPT", observing that the horror novel featured "typos and repetitive turns of phrase".
