Startup Plans to Publish 8,000 Books Using AI in 2024 Amid Writer Backlash
A new publishing startup, Spines, has faced backlash from writers and publishers for its plan to publish 8,000 books next year using artificial intelligence, The Guardian reported yesterday.
The company will charge authors between $1,200 and $5,000 for services including editing, proofreading, and distribution. Critics argue that Spines is prioritizing profit over quality, with independent publisher Canongate labeling them as “dingbats” who lack genuine concern for literature.
Author Suyi Davies Okungbowa described Spines as opportunistic, while Deidre J Owen, co-founder of Mannison Press, called them a vanity publisher.
Spines claims authors will retain 100% of their royalties and insists it is not self-publishing but a “publishing platform.” However, industry experts warn that authors should be cautious about paying for publication, citing concerns over originality and quality. The company promises to reduce publishing time to two to three weeks, a claim echoed by Microsoft’s recent announcement of a faster book imprint.
