The AI Conversation in Publishing Has Gone Off the Rails

Margs & Manuscripts

Margs & Manuscripts
The AI Conversation in Publishing Has Gone Off the Rails
Apr 21, 2026 Season 1 Episode 21
Cait & Jenna

AI in publishing is getting loud—and not always helpful

Everyone has an opinion about AI right now, especially in the publishing and writing world. But instead of thoughtful conversations, what we’re seeing is a lot of noise, fear-based takes, and people rushing to pick a side.

In this episode, we’re not here to give a definitive answer on AI. We’re here to talk about what’s actually bothering us about the conversation itself—the fearmongering, the “AI police,” and the pressure being put on writers in an already difficult industry.

We waited to speak on this for a reason. We listened first. And now we’re sharing what feels off, what feels overblown, and where we think the focus should actually be.


In this episode, we cover:

  •  Why the AI conversation in publishing feels reactive instead of productive 
  •  The rise of fear-based takes and why they’re not helping writers 
  •  Where we personally draw the line with AI (workflow vs creativity) 
  •  The pressure and anxiety AI is adding to authors—especially debut authors 
  •  Why “AI isn’t going away” is the wrong starting point for the conversation 
  •  What writers should actually focus on right now instead of spiraling

For writers navigating AI right now:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the noise around AI, you’re not alone. This episode is meant to ground the conversation back in reality and remind you of what actually matters:

Your voice, your process, and the work itself.

Listen now

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📺 Full episode + clips on YouTube
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