AI Won't Kill Authors - But It Might Kill Anonymity
Half of published novelists in the UK say they're worried AI could make them redundant. Yet Queensland fantasy author Darryl King, who writes as D.E. King, isn't losing sleep over "AI slop" flooding online stores.
His take is simple: readers are paying more for the human, not less. That shifts the pressure from perfection on the page to proof you're real.
The human premium is rising
Readers want to know the person behind the story. A name, a face, a presence they can follow. That's causing friction for pen names, especially in genres like romance where anonymity has long been standard.
King says in-person touchpoints - library talks, signings, local events - push trust over the line. Even if a reader buys online, photos and videos of real appearances signal authenticity.
What King is doing
King leans into visibility: public events, a consistent author identity, and a trail of proof. It's less about debating AI and more about making it obvious there's a human behind the series.
That proof compounds: dates on a calendar, posts from events, and a steady pattern of engagement.
Platforms must help validate
Verification shouldn't be a scavenger hunt. King argues publishers and platforms should invest more in author verification, social promotion, and profile authenticity so readers can trust what they're buying.
If you're indie, build your own verification stack: your site, newsletter, and public appearances - then point every profile back to those assets.
Pen names under pressure
Pen names aren't dead, but the strategy has to change. Readers want a persona they can see, even if they don't know your legal name. You can protect your privacy and still be present.
- Create a consistent author persona: headshots, bio, and a steady voice across channels.
- Do selective public events and record them. Post photos or short clips to your newsletter and socials.
- Verify everywhere you can (retailer author pages, Goodreads, socials) and interlink them.
- Use a PO box, separate email, and a simple media kit to set boundaries.
Can readers "spot" AI? Not reliably
People point to tells like a spike in em dashes. But style is messy - King's UK copy editor prefers that punctuation. Typos aren't proof of humanity, and clean prose isn't proof of AI.
What does cut through: specificity only you could write. Lived detail, voice, and a point of view that survives the edit.
Money, margins, and the AI squeeze
E-books already thinned margins. AI adds more cheap competition. That won't vanish, so your edge has to be differentiation and trust.
King's stance: weather it, stand out, and let readers learn to filter the rubbish. That means better positioning, not louder panic.
A practical playbook for working writers
- Turn yourself into proof: monthly events (virtual or in-person), behind-the-scenes posts, and reader Q&As you can point to.
- Own your home base: simple site, author bio, series page, and a newsletter. Post event recaps and reader photos.
- Verify and interlink: retailer author pages, Goodreads, Instagram/TikTok. Make your site the hub every profile links back to.
- Publish a clear AI policy on your site. If you use AI for brainstorming or admin, say so; if not, say that. Trust grows with clarity.
- Market the human: ads and posts that feature your face, your process, and your community, not just the book cover.
- Build durable proof of quality: a small ARC team, consistent copy editing, and reader testimonials you can quote.
- If you use a pen name: keep a consistent persona, do recorded appearances, and separate personal data from business ops.
Where this is heading
AI will flood the market with more average content. Readers will counter by paying attention to authors they can see and trust. That's good news for writers who are willing to show up.
Lean into the human moat: voice, community, and proof.
Helpful links
- University of Cambridge - Research
- Popular AI tools for copywriting - Complete AI Training
- AI courses by job - Complete AI Training
Bottom line: Don't fight AI with fear. Win with presence, proof, and a voice readers can feel.
Your membership also unlocks:
