From Edie: Learn how to write an AI disclosure statement for your manuscript or book proposal, including what to disclose about AI-generated text and images.
Types of AI for Writers: Understanding Generative AI, Editing, and Research Tools
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Last time, we talked about the different kinds of artificial intelligence writers encounter and why it matters how we use them. Now I want to take that conversation one step further. If you're preparing a manuscript or book proposal for an agent or publisher, you need to be ready to explain whether—and how—you've used AI.
I've begun including this statement in the book proposal classes I teach because I believe it's an important part of presenting ourselves professionally in today's publishing industry. Before we go any further, I want to make something clear. Not every agent or publisher requires an AI disclosure statement. Some have specific policies, others have restrictions on AI-generated content, and requirements can vary.
Always follow the guidelines of the agent or publisher you're approaching.
But even when a disclosure statement isn't specifically requested, knowing how to write one is a valuable skill. And it doesn't have to be complicated.
What Is an Author AI Disclosure Statement?
Simply put, it's a short explanation of how artificial intelligence was used in developing your manuscript and preparing your book proposal.
What it's not:
- It isn't a confession.
- It isn't an apology.
- And it certainly isn't an opportunity to impress an editor with how many AI programs you know how to use.
What it is:
- It is a professional statement that explains your process.
I recommend keeping three things in mind. Be honest. Be specific. Be brief. That's it.
Start With Your Manuscript
Before you write your statement, think about how you've used AI while developing your book. Perhaps you've used it to brainstorm plot complications or organize a nonfiction chapter outline. Maybe you've asked it to identify repetition or evaluate pacing. Or perhaps you've used AI to generate actual passages that you've incorporated into your manuscript. Those are different kinds of assistance, and your disclosure should reflect those differences.
Here's an important distinction.
Asking AI to evaluate something you've written isn't the same as asking AI to write it for you. That doesn't automatically mean every kind of AI assistance is acceptable to every publisher. But it does mean we need to be accurate when describing what we've done.
Don't Forget Your Book Proposal
This is the part I suspect many of us will overlook. You may have written every word of your manuscript without generative AI assistance. But what about your proposal?
- Did you use ChatGPT to brainstorm possible titles?
- Did AI help you identify potential comparable books?
- Did you use it to organize your marketing strategy or evaluate your target audience?
- Perhaps you asked it to critique your synopsis or help you refine your elevator pitch.
All of those activities may be relevant to your disclosure. And don't forget to verify any information AI provides.
I don't care how confidently an AI tool recommends a comparable title. Before you include that book in your proposal, make certain it's real, accurately described, and appropriate for your market.
Your credibility is on the line.
What About Covers, Illustrations, and Graphics?
AI disclosure isn't limited to words. If you've used generative AI to create cover concepts, illustrations, maps, or other graphics included in your submission, you need to consider those materials as well. The same applies to substantially AI-generated or AI-altered photographs.
For example, a writer might include an AI-generated cover mockup to help an agent visualize the project. That doesn't mean the mockup will become the published cover. In traditional publishing, the publisher generally directs the final cover design. But the author should still be transparent about how the submitted image was created.
Also, remember that AI-generated artwork may raise copyright, licensing, and commercial-use questions. Never assume you have exclusive rights to an image simply because you generated it.
Now Let's Write the Statement
I recommend starting with four questions.
- Did I use AI in developing or editing my manuscript?
- Did I use AI in preparing my book proposal?
- Did I incorporate AI-generated wording, illustrations, or other content into either one?
- What parts of the project did I personally create, revise, research, and verify?
Once you've answered those questions, you're ready to draft your statement.
For many projects, a single paragraph will be enough.
Here are some examples.
Example 1: No Generative AI Used
"No generative artificial intelligence tools were used in researching, developing, writing, or editing this manuscript or preparing the accompanying book proposal."
Use this statement only if it's accurate.
Example 2: AI Used for Brainstorming and Organization
"I used generative AI tools for preliminary brainstorming and organizational assistance while developing this project. All manuscript content was written and revised by me. AI was also used to help organize portions of the book proposal. No AI-generated prose was incorporated into the manuscript or proposal."
Example 3: AI Used for Editorial Feedback
"I used AI-assisted tools to identify potential grammatical issues, evaluate clarity, and provide feedback on manuscript organization and pacing. I reviewed the suggestions and made all final editorial decisions. No AI-generated prose was incorporated into the manuscript. The accompanying proposal was prepared without generative AI assistance."
Example 4: AI Used for Research Assistance
"AI tools were used to help identify research topics, formulate research questions, and organize preliminary information. All factual claims, references, and quotations included in the manuscript were independently verified. The manuscript was written and revised by me. AI was also used to assist with preliminary market research for the book proposal, and all information included in the final proposal was independently verified."
Example 5: AI Used Only in Preparing the Proposal
"The manuscript was written and revised without generative AI assistance. AI tools were used during preparation of the book proposal to brainstorm potential marketing strategies, identify possible comparable titles, and evaluate the clarity of the project summary. All final proposal content was reviewed and verified by me."
Example 6: AI-Generated Content Incorporated into the Manuscript
"Generative AI was used to produce preliminary draft material for portions of this manuscript, specifically [identify the sections or type of material]. I reviewed, revised, and edited this content. The extent of AI-generated material incorporated into the submitted manuscript is [describe accurately]. AI was also used in preparing [identify applicable proposal sections]."
Example 7: AI Use of Images and Graphics
Generative AI was used to create preliminary cover concepts and promotional graphics included with this proposal. These images are presented as conceptual materials, not final publication-ready artwork. No AI-generated images were incorporated into the manuscript.
The statements above are examples, not text you should copy without thinking.
Your statement must reflect what you actually did.
And if AI-generated manuscript passages were incorporated into your work, explain that use accurately and check the publisher's policies before submitting. An honest disclosure doesn't automatically make a prohibited use acceptable.
What Shouldn't You Include?
I don't recommend turning your disclosure into a lengthy essay. An editor doesn't need a history of artificial intelligence or an explanation of every program you've ever opened. Focus on the project you're submitting. Avoid vague statements such as "I used AI to help with my book." Help how? Did it brainstorm? Edit? Research? Generate actual manuscript content?
Specificity matters.
Also, don't make claims you can't support. If AI-generated prose became part of your final manuscript, don't claim that every word was independently written without AI assistance. And don't forget to update your statement if your process changes significantly.
Should You Have a Broader AI Disclosure Statement?
Possibly. Actually, probably
The statement we've been discussing focuses on your manuscript and book proposal. But many authors also use AI in other areas of their writing businesses. You might use it to brainstorm newsletter topics, organize social media content, develop speaking presentations, or streamline administrative work. A broader author AI disclosure statement can explain your approach to these activities. You might choose to include one on your website or provide it when working with organizations or collaborators.
But remember, a general statement about your author business doesn't replace a project-specific disclosure requested by an agent or publisher.
One Final Thought
Publishing has always required us to adapt. We've moved from typewriters to computers, from mailing paper manuscripts to submitting digital files, and from traditional promotional methods to online platforms. Now we're navigating artificial intelligence.
The technology may be new, but our responsibility as writers hasn't changed.
We still need to do our research, respect intellectual property, communicate honestly, and take responsibility for the work we submit. For those of us writing from a Christian worldview, integrity shouldn't be something we practice only when someone requires it. It should be part of everything we do. An AI disclosure statement is one more way to demonstrate that integrity. And in an industry built on words, our honesty about how we use them matters.
Additional Resources:
Author’s Guild: https://authorsguild.org/resource/ai-best-practices-for-authors/
I’ve found the following open-source checklist hugely valuable when evaluating my own use of AI: https://bernoff.com/blog/a-simple-comprehensive-ai-disclosure-form?mc_cid=96c6607a82&mc_eid=53fffca183
TWEETABLE
Understanding AI for Writers: Generative AI, Editing Tools, and Their Differences
Types of AI for Writers: Understanding Generative AI, Editing, and Research Tools
She and husband Kirk have been married 44+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their dog hiking the mountains. Connect with her at www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.
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