1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 AI is everywhere, and writers are being asked to figure out what it means for their work. So Amanda Polick brought in literary agent Lauren MacLeod for an honest conversation about AI and publishing, without pretending the answers are simple or settled. They get into the risks writers should know about: copyright, reputation, accuracy, and the way AI can smooth the edges off a distinctive voice. Lauren explains why keeping drafts and notes matters, what to be cautious about with tools like Grammarly, and why AI detectors don’t tell the whole story. But this isn’t an all-or-nothing conversation. Amanda and Lauren also talk about where AI can be useful—from brainstorming and transcribing to handling tedious business tasks—and how to use it without letting it take over the creative work. They discuss the Anthropic lawsuit and settlement involving books used to train Claude, the need for more transparency from publishers, and the possibility of a future where creators are paid when their work is used to train AI. Also in this episode: Why AI-generated work raises copyright concerns for writers The difference between using AI to spark ideas and letting it rewrite your prose Why saving messy drafts and timestamped versions can help show your creative process How publishers are using AI behind the scenes and where more transparency is needed Why it’s okay to change your mind as the technology and conversation evolve Perfect for writers, readers, and anyone trying to make sense of AI’s place in publishing. Resources mentioned: The Anthropic lawsuit and settlement, Pangram, Grammarly, and Caribbean Cocktails by Chef Nelson German Find Lauren: Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky Find Amanda: @amandapolick | amandapolick.com Free 1-hour cookbook masterclass: Writing Gold Babe Cave http://www.amandapolick.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/43167423/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/43167423