One of the most prestigious publishers of science fiction short stories has closed to submissions after a deluge of AI-generated pitches overwhelmed its editorial team.
clarkesworldwhich has published writers such as Jeff VanderMeer, Yoon Ha Lee, and Catherynne Valente, is one of the few paying publishers that accepts open submissions of short stories from new writers.
But that promise has attracted the attention of influencers who promote “get-rich-quick” schemes using AI, according to founding editor Neil Clarke.
In a typical month, the journal typically receives about 10 submissions deemed to have plagiarized other authors, he wrote in a blog post. But since the release of ChatGPT last year, AI language models went mainstream, the rejection rate has skyrocketed.
In January, Clarke said, the publisher rejected 100 submissions, prohibiting their “authors” from resubmitting. In February to date, he has banned over 500.
“I have reached out to multiple publishers and the situation I am experiencing is not unique,” he wrote. “It seems to be affecting higher profile ‘always open’ markets much more than those with limited introduction windows or lower payment rates.
“It is clear that business as usual will not be sustainable and I am concerned that this path will lead to more barriers for new and international authors. Short fiction needs these people.
“It’s not going to go away on its own and I don’t have a solution.”
Closing submissions is a drastic move. Until a solution is identified, the journal is not considering author stories.
“We will reopen, but we have not set a date,” Clarke said on social media. “The detectors are not reliable. Pay to send sacrifices too many [legitimate] Authors Printed submissions are not feasible for us.
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“The people causing the problem are from outside the [science fiction and fantasy] community. Powered largely by “side hustle” experts who claim there is easy money to be had with ChatGPT. They are pushing this and deserve some of the scorn shown to AI developers.”
Generative AI technology is also causing turmoil beyond fictional circles.
Imaging, with tools including Midjourney, Dall-E, and Stable Diffusion, has seen similar controversy, with the Colorado State Art Fair. unknowingly awarding first prize in its “emerging digital artists” category to an image created by Midjourney, though the prize money went to Jason Allen, who had typed the message into the AI tool and entered the exit at the fair with his name on it.
