Think it's time to trot this one out again ;) You do NOT need the plagiarism machine! There is so much help and support out there if you're a new writer (even beyond this amazing trilogy)! linktr.ee/specficforne...

Or supposed you get banned from using an LLM b/c you create works the company owners disagree with? Or they change the LLM so it no longer does that you want it to do. As I wrote last year, If you become dependent upon a tool, that tool can be taken away. 5/

But if you go down the LLM road, you are bound to that path. If the tech bros who own that LLM begin charging thousands of $ a month to use their program, you're facing a major gatekeeper. And yes, once our current AI bubble breaks the subsidized cost of using LLMs is going to skyrocket. 4/

Right now anyone can learn to write or create art. The price of admission is incredibly, super-duper low. Don't have a computer? You can write or draw on paper. Yes, it takes time to learn how to tell good stories or create compelling art, but there is no gatekeeper. 3/

I say this b/c tech bros are literally attempting to place a gatekeeper program into the creation process for writing and art. Once people normalize that writing and art can't be created without an LLM, what happens when people can't afford to use that LLM? Gee, you then have a true gatekeeper! 2/

Regarding the Horror Writers Association (HWA) newsletter promoting AI usage, why why why do people keep using the term "gatekeepers" to describe those opposed to the use of LLMs in writing and art? The true gatekeepers are the billionaire tech bros whose companies push to normalize AI usage. 1/

Rick Moranis: Are You The Gatekeeper?

Alt: Rick Moranis: Are You The Gatekeeper?

static.klipy.com

Burning fossil fuels makes wildfires more frequent and more intense. Of course those who have made record profits causing the problem should pick up the bill.

The HWA really screwed the pooch on this one. One of my fave lines (amongst so many!) in Chuck's essay: "It’s not allowing *you* to do the work. *You’re* allowing *it* to do the work. Which is to say, *you’re* the tool."

Chuck Wendig@chuckwendig.bsky.social · 5h ago

Professional writer organizations should not send out pro-AI propaganda in the form of tantrum-having "essays" to their members, and I don't think that's controversial.

"What would you do if AI suddenly disappeared?" The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world! Or just live my life as I normally do because I don't outsource my cognitive abilities to autocomplete with delusions of grandeur.

"What if all the Ai is gone tomorrow? How would everyone survive without it?" is sort of like asking "what if herpes suddenly stopped existing?"

My new fave response to pro-AI idiots is “Let’s turn off the wifi and see you write/draw/etc”. How did these people think we functioned 3+ years ago? Fuck, how did *they* function? I’m thinking they didn’t.

Charlie Stross@cstross.bsky.social · 11h ago

My answer is LOL ROFL (dickbrain) The terminally AI-pilled can't even *imagine* some people have *never* asked stochastic parrots to cheat at their job for them.

oh wait the plot thickens. ma'am you are literally shilling an ai writing coach what the absolute fuck is this backpedal

It's not like she's profiting from an ai writers app or anything oh wait

Also, you are no longer an author in my eyes, because I can no longer trust anything that you say you've "written" so sorry Séphera Girón, I will never review anything by you ever again Witch hunt, my ass Absolutely absurd

If you, as a Creative -are unable to understand why Creatives will have a problem w you using generative, thieving "AI" / LLMs in the Arts -can't grasp the nuance in the begrudging acceptance of ppl being anti-AI yet still using SM that uses it You are a deeply unserious person (& NOT a witch)

even more insane, the author of this garbage is now literally trolling other authors/members on facebook…

2,000 words of pro-AI rant, and from one of the HWA Trustees, no less (who has a software app to help others "write").

I know there is a disclaimer but I think if the author is touting the values of AI and has launched an "AI-powered writing coach" that is information that should be mentioned. I think if the op-ed is touting anything that could provide monetary benefit to the writer, that's something I want to know.

I’m a radiologist. By now AI should have replaced me. As it turns out AI has had a minimal impact and I’m busier than ever using my actual intelligence to interpret diagnostic images. So much hype and so little impact.

As an on-paper woman who looks like a chap in a low light/on a good day, I give some thought and care to using single-sex facilities. From today (UK), the thoughts and cares multiplied: transactual.org.uk/know-your-ri... (5000+ words and I'm very grateful for it but what the hell.)

Join Pete Sutton for his second Writing About Writing About Writing look at books about writing comics: milfordsfwriters.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/w...

I am still utterly gobsmacked by companies who want to pass themselves off as author-centric thinking that being "AI"-friendly is a good thing. Even the *perception* of being "AI"-friendly is enough to make actual authors avoid your services like the plague.

There's the barest whiff in the discourse about writers gatekeeping their craft but: A.) No we don't; you can't shut us up talking about writing! And... B.) Even if it was true (again, it's not), @tiffaniangus.bsky.social & I have *thoroughly* bulldozed any notional gates w Spec Fic for Newbies! 👇

Val Nolan@vallescurarule.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The Locus recommended, BSFA/BFA shortlisted *Spec Fic For Newbies* writing guide series: three stand-alone books, 90 subgenres & major tropes! Fun & informative introductions to writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror! Available now from @lunapress.bsky.social: www.lunapresspublishing.com/academic-non...

"But do you feel your bar is* too* safe for women? Without attracting a certain number of rapists, aren't you worried that it will simply be an echo chamber for anti-rape sentiment?"

@vallescurarule.bsky.social and I got to chat with Gareth at IZPod (that's Interzone's Podcast) about Spec Fic for Newbies plus solo projects! There are lots of ways to tune in: interzone.press/a-chat-with-... #writing #podcast #sciencefiction #fantasy #horror

Want to write comics? Pete Sutton is back with another Writing About Writing About Writing post looking at books proposing to help you do just that! milfordsfwriters.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/w...

What if instead of starting substacks in twenty-fucking-twenty-six people learned to give one iota of a fuck about whether they want to associate themselves with nazis.

I will shout from the rooftops that AI can't create art. It just can't. It can make content, but content isn't art. And we’re in an age where we’re told we’re making content and not art - and I think part of the pushback is reminding everyone what ART is and saying you're MAKING ART & NOT CONTENT.

feels like i should re-post this every few weeks

Marisa Kabas@marisakabas.bsky.social · 3y ago

NEW: Substack founders finally respond to Substackers Against Nazis. They say Nazis publishing and earning money on their platform is fine with them. Their full statement here: substack.com/@hamish/note...

I don’t care how respected you are as a person, science educator, author, artist, etc. If I find out that you are using generative AI in any aspect of your work, you lose all of my respect.