It turns out my dark fantasy novels don’t just captivate readers, they may have also helped shape artificial intelligence. It’s a surreal twist to my writing journey, and here’s what happened…
KGHH publishing published The Soul Game on Amazon in 2017. A novel about a self-help book published by Hell, with a twisted, messy love story at its core. The Prince of Hell, my protagonist, is a creature of contradictions. He’s ancient, yet his emotions are raw and human. He embodies darkness, but his love drives him toward redemption. And, the book itself provides you with the game, allowing you to play along -should you be willing to bet your soul on an ultimate prize. Of course, The Soul Game self-help book arrives with potential players in strange ways. There are rules about how you can share it and when. So, discovering this book -that is no longer available for sale- has turned up in a pirated database used for training AI is somewhat fitting.
TikTok brings us all sorts of videos, from entertainment to news to knowledge -and everything in between. So, it wasn’t surprising that a video about pirated books being used to train AI made its way into my for you feed. I’d already heard how movie scripts had been used to train AI, so how could this be any different?
Well, this time it was an enormous company who wanted to outdo the competition, and consciously chose to use pirated books. And the TikToker pointed me towards an article in The Atlantic titled Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI which explores the controversial use of Library Genesis (LibGen) by Meta to train its AI models. LibGen is a massive repository of pirated books and scientific papers, and the article highlights the ethical and legal concerns surrounding its use. It discusses the scale of the database, the inaccuracies it contains, and the challenges in determining exactly which parts Meta used for training. You can also directly search your own name to see if LibGen pirated your work.
Although, the article does point out that they still haven’t determined which parts of the pirated material Meta used for the training of its AI, so I can’t say for certain that my book was included. But the possibility of my book’s use stirred frustration, and also sparked a curious pride. Meta was looking for great writing to train its artificial intelligence, to help it out do its competitors. Whether they picked books specifically or just downloaded (illegally) whatever they could from the site, we don’t know. It’s also highly annoying that they so undervalued our work that they stole something they could more than afford to pay for, no doubt intending to make a profit from the AI they were training. It makes for a bittersweet moment and has me reflecting on the broader impact of creative writing.
But if we were to consider what might have attracted the AI trainers’ attention, if they were being picky about what their artificial intelligence was reading, they might have found the combined themes of love, sacrifice, and supernatural intrigue. All encapsulated in a story of a protagonist that challenges the archetype of heroes. A hero who isn’t your conventional saviour, flawed and driven by passion, and riddled with moral ambiguity. Or perhaps it could have been the vivid language and atmospheric world-building. AI thrives on diverse, engaging material, timeless themes, complex characters, and evocative prose that spark imagination. Did they let their AI choose which books to read?
What fascinates me most is that a story conjured by my brain could resonate on a technological level. It’s as if the Prince of Hell found a new realm to conquer -not just the hearts of readers but the systems that shape our digital world. I just hope it skipped the bit about the tentacles; it’s still too young to be reading that part.
Much like an ancient vampire trying to adapt to a tech-driven world, artificial intelligence is an ever-evolving entity shaped by the stories it consumes. Can it ever truly grasp the depth of humanity’s darkness and light, or will my monsters always remain just beyond its reach?
Fighting Back: How Authors Can Protect Their Works
We pour countless hours into our creativity, only to see them potentially exploited and pirated without consent. And, although the fight against piracy can feel overwhelming, you can take action to regain control and protect your hard work.
- Enable Digital Rights Management (DRM) – this can make it harder for pirates to copy and share your files.
- Monitor for Piracy – you can use tools like google alerts to track mentions of your work online. Set up alerts with your name, and book title to catch unauthorised postings.
- Issue DMCA (Digital Millennium Copywrite Act) Takedown Notices – many piracy sites respond to DMCA requests.
- Watermark your Content – If you’re distributing advanced copies for reviews or offering promotional material, consider adding a digital watermark. Watermarks help identify the source if files are leaked.
- Engage Readers and Build a Loyal Community – readers who want to support you directly can be the best way to fight piracy, stay connected with them and build that connection. They might also become your eyes and ears if your book turns up somewhere it shouldn’t.
- Collaborate with Author Advocacy Groups – Organisations like the Authors Guild and Society of Authors actively work to protect creators’ rights.
- Use Unique Distribution Channels – Consider selling directly through your own platform or website.
- Raise Awareness – Share your story and experiences of piracy to educate fellow authors and readers. The more people understand the impact piracy has on creators, the more likely they are to support ethical practices.
- Stay Updated – Keep an eye on emerging technologies and their implications for authors.
While no solution is foolproof, every step taken helps. Protecting your work ensures your stories reach readers on your terms, and that your creative voice remains heard and respected.
As authors, our stories are more than just words on a page, they’re pieces of our creativity, passion, and identity. Whilst the digital landscape offers incredible opportunities for us to bring our work to a newer and wider audience, it also presents new challenges in protecting it.
My journey with The Soul Game is a reminder of the unexpected ways our creativity can ripple outward, influencing people -and even machines- in ways we might never have imagined. But at the heart of it all, it’s our connection with our readers that fuels us and can help in the fight against piracy. So, continue to tell your stories, celebrate your unique voice, and support one another as we navigate this ever-evolving world of creativity and technology.
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
