My books are written by a real human (me), edited by a real human (me, Kiya, and with comments from my early readers), and have covers designed a real human (Augusta Scarlett). I use a few computer tools for parts of the editing process (described below) but none that involve generative AI.
I do not give permission for my works to be used to train AI tools. (Though I am aware that a number of books have been used for this.) Going forward there is a statement to that effect on the copyright page of all my books.
These statements are current from April 2025 and apply to all my books and works. More details below about specific aspects. If you have questions, please get in touch via the contact form or replying to any email from my newsletter.
Writing
All my books are written by me (the person behind the pen name of Celia Lake). If you hang out on my authorial Discord, it’s possible to see comments about what I’m working on and map them back to the writing as the book comes out. My newsletter also gets an update of where I am.
I write a lot, but I promise it’s all out of my head and fingers.
Editing
My editing process begins by my working through the novel and making edits and notes.
Next, I do a pass using ProWritingAid, one of a handful of common editing tools used by writers. PWA does offer some generative AI tools, but I turn those options off and do not use any of them. Frankly, they’re not remotely useful to me. I also review every suggestion made before deciding whether or not to make a change.
I do find a computer-based editing tool handy for two reasons. One has to do with disability. Some of my chronic health stuff comes with cognitive effects that mean I’m both more likely to leave out a word or substitute a homonym and that it’s harder for me to notice them. Using a computer tool helps me get a better version to my editor. The second reason is that it allows me to apply a more consistent style guide for what terms are capitalised or spellings, as well as check on phrases I might overuse. Or cut down 60 word sentences to something more reasonable.
Once I’ve done this editing pass, it goes to my editor, Kiya. They suggest edits both on a developmental level (the overall flow of the story) and line and copy editing (getting the words and sentences into better shape). We go back and forth a couple of times to resolve those edits.
My early readers are mostly reading for ‘does this make sense’ and ‘have I left out something that makes the plot confusing?’, but they also sometimes flag other minor errors or typos. They’re also all humans!
Cover design
My covers are designed by Augusta Scarlett, whose name also appears on the relevant copyright page for each book. Augusta and I both value human-created art, and Augusta does not use any AI art. (More about her policies at the top here).
However, it’s getting increasingly hard to be certain about some stock art sources (used in a variety of ways in cover art for anyone who isn’t having a custom painting done). Augusta has a policy that if it turns out an AI image was used, she’ll replace that aspect. If you’re not sure about any of the images on my books, please let me know. The silhouettes we use are created by Augusta in a 3D modelling tool.
There are a few exceptions. I do my own covers (a simple gradient with title and author information) for most of my extras.
If someone else has done the art, that information will be on the copyright page and in the author’s notes, and elsewhere as relevant. As of 2025, the only work where that’s true is Mari Lwyd 1927.
Other art
As of April 2025, I have not commissioned any art specifically for the books, but if and when I do, I will include clauses about no generative AI use.
Promotions and collaborations
Sometimes, I participate in promotions or collaborations organised by other people. I give priority to those that have clear statements about AI. Normally this means a statement that the authors did not use generative AI in either their writing or cover art.
However, sometimes it’s hard to tell if promotional images use generative AI elements. Some authors use AI for things like taglines, drafting newsletter information, etc. when they don’t use it for creative work. I’m not able to control how other authors promote a given promotion or collaboration!
I’ll provide the info I can, but here it’s always going to be up to the reader to decide what they’re interested in, and how that fits into their own priorities.
Thanks for caring
Knowing that other people value the human creative desire – and the work that goes into that – matters so much to me. Thank you for also caring about that, and seeking out more info. Again, if you’ve got more questions about anything I do, please get in touch.
I’ll continue to update this page as needed, when the technology changes or the ways authors are using or thinking about new tools.