u/Talbotwritesmaybe

I am a newish writer who mainly writes short fiction. I submit my stories to anthologies, magazines, ezines, etc. Recently, I ran into a really shady publisher and just want to warn others about them.

Scribevibes posted an open call for their Strange Vibes Vol. 2 anthology earlier this year. In the open call, they specifically stated NO AI STORIES. Fair enough. This is pretty normal for publishers. AI is invading creative spaces right now, as anyone who frequents this sub probably knows. I don't want to read AI writing, so it makes sense they don't want to publish it. I sent in a story, it was accepted, and we moved toward release day, July 1.

Welp. I learned on publishing day (by emailing the publisher and asking directly) that not only is the cover AI, every single of the two dozen stories is accompanied by an AI image. I was flabbergasted. I assumed (naively) that any publisher with a strict anti-ai writing policy would not be sinking so low as to use AI in any part of their process. I didn't think this was something I needed to even worry about.

I emailed the publisher asking that they specify in future open calls that they use AI in their books. That's all I wanted. I was ready to write this off, but the response does not sit right with me. A direct quote from the email the publisher sent me after I expressed my concern with the AI: "These days people use AI for everything. You ever look up synonyms online? You're using AI. Ever do research online? AI. When I did the call for authors I said no AI in the writing. I didn't mention images, and if you are so concerned where others are not, it's up to you to make sure the publisher isn't using AI for anything."

Legit said: Rules for thee not for me. Shady behavior all around.

The kicker? I was paid $1.50 for this story. After having to remind the publisher three times I had not been paid. It was only after I told her I was upset with the AI (and that I no longer wanted payment) that she sent the funds. Now. I am pretty new at getting published. I am no stranger to a token payment. I've sold one story at semi-pro rates, the rest have been token payments. A few dollars or a contributor copy. I get it. Some of these places just starting out don't have a lot of money for their first anthologies. I have grips of stories just collecting dust, so I am down to donate some to indie publishers to perhaps build a working relationship with them and we can build together. But this place pays pennies and uses AI art. While having a strict anti-AI writing policy. Make it make sense!!

I just wanted to post this so any other authors who are out there thinking of submitting their work know to avoid this place and to be very thorough in vetting publishers. I am embarrassed this happened to me. The covers are glaringly AI, but I'm not the best at spotting AI art, so it took me way too long to realize what was happening here. Just want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. This story is an important one to me, and now it is stuck living next to an ugly AF AI wolf. Be careful out there everyone.

Has anyone else dealt with this? I sent in a story to an anthology from a smaller publisher. They stated in the open call that they did not want stories that were made using AI. Fair enough, I wouldn't want to read AI writing, so it makes sense they don't want to publish it. Welp, the anthology got released yesterday, and turns out, not only did they use an AI generated image for the cover, they also accompanied every single story with an AI generated image.

I emailed the publisher letting them know they should specify they use AI in future open calls. They called me mean and said I was a hypocrite if I use tools like spellcheck and then take issue with AI being used in the anthology. A direct quote from the email: "When I did the call for authors I said no AI in the writing. I didn't mention images, and if you are so concerned where others are not, it's up to you to make sure the publisher isn't using AI for anything." She is making it seem like I am the first and only person to take issue with AI in creative spaces. When I suggested she send a mass email to the other contributing authors specifying their work will be next to AI art, she promptly blocked me.

Pretty bummed about the response and absolute lack of professionalism. They paid each author $1.50 USD and then went and used AI, then tried to make me feel like I was in the wrong for calling it out. Tbh I would just write this off as a learning lesson, but the story being published is pretty near and dear to my heart, so it's a bummer it now has a giant asterisk next to it in my mind.

Anyone else feel this is sketchy and weird or am I overrecting here?