Writers Slam Startup for AI-Powered Publishing of 8,000 Books

Startup Spines faces backlash for AI-publishing 8,000 books, with critics highlighting risks to originality, creativity, and author exploitation.

on Nov 27, 2024

A startup named Spines is facing intense criticism from writers and publishers for its plans to publish 8,000 books next year using artificial intelligence. The company charges authors $1,200 to $5,000 (approx 1 lakh to 4 lakh) for services like editing, proofreading, formatting, and distribution, all aided by AI.

Independent publisher Canongate condemned Spines on Bluesky, mentioning that it is charging “hopeful would-be authors to automate the process of flinging their book out into the world, with the least possible attention, care or craft”.

Talking about Spines, author Suyi Davies Okungbowa said that these people are "opportunistis and extractive capitalists," while Mannison Press co-founder Deidre J Owen labeled Spines a "vanity publisher".

The Society of Authors warned writers against paying for publication, emphasizing concerns over originality and the potential use of unlawfully sourced copyright content in AI system. CEO Anna Ganley noted the slim chances of such ventures meeting author expectations or providing a quality path to publication.

Spines, which has raised $16 million in seed funding, say to shorten publishing timelines to two to three weeks. However, critics argue this approach undermines the creativity and craftsmanship essential to books. Meanwhile, industry giants like Microsoft and HarperCollins are also exploring AI in publishing, raising debates about the future of the industry.