A new AI-powered startup, Spines, is facing criticism from authors and publishers after announcing plans to publish up to 8,000 books next year using artificial intelligence. The company, which raised $16 million in its latest funding round, offers authors a fast-track publishing process that includes editing, proofreading, design, and distribution—all powered by AI. However, the business model has sparked a heated debate within the publishing industry, with many claiming the approach undermines the integrity of traditional book publishing.

Spines intends to charge authors between $1,200 and $5,000 to handle the entire publishing process, promising to deliver books in two to three weeks, compared to the lengthy timeframes of traditional publishers. According to the company, this service is designed to help aspiring authors who struggle to get noticed by traditional publishers or who cannot afford vanity publishing fees that can reach up to $50,000. Spines claims it is leveling the playing field, offering authors 100% of their royalties while reducing the cost and complexity of getting a book into the world.

However, the publishing community has voiced strong criticism of Spines' approach. Independent publisher Canongate took to Bluesky to express dismay, calling the startup’s business model a superficial way of “flinging” books into the market with “the least possible attention, care, or craft.” Author Suyi Davies Okungbowa also criticized Spines for exploiting “hopeful” authors, calling the company opportunistic and driven by “extractive capitalism.” These criticisms highlight concerns about the lack of personal involvement and quality control when relying on AI for creative work.

Many see Spines’ service as a form of vanity publishing, which allows authors to pay for publication but with little guarantee of success or creative care. Deidre J. Owen, co-founder of independent publisher Mannison Press, joined the chorus of critics, calling Spines "just trying to speed up" the self-publishing process without adding true value. “It won’t work well,” said Marco Rinaldi, co-host of Page One The Writer’s Podcast, emphasizing that Spines is trying to circumvent the traditional publishing process without offering real editorial or design expertise.

Yet Spines remains resolute in its mission. Co-founder Yehuda Niv, a former publisher and publishing services entrepreneur, claims that the company’s model is not self-publishing or vanity publishing but a "publishing platform" that uses AI to streamline a traditionally slow and cumbersome process. Niv argues that Spines empowers authors by reducing the time and effort required to self-publish, enabling them to focus solely on writing.

Critics, however, remain skeptical of AI's role in creative industries. Anna Ganley, CEO of the UK’s Society of Authors, warned that authors should think carefully before committing to publishing agreements with any company requiring upfront fees, especially one relying on AI tools that might lack originality or quality. She also raised concerns about whether these AI systems were developed using copyrighted content, which could expose authors to legal risks.

Despite the controversy, Spines positions itself as a solution for authors who want to publish quickly and affordably. The company claims that by using technology, it reduces the time it takes to publish a book from months to weeks, providing a faster, more accessible alternative to traditional publishing routes.

In response to ongoing criticisms, Spines maintains that its platform is dedicated to democratizing the publishing process and offering a viable path to success for authors who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional publishers. With its ambitious goal of helping 1 million authors publish their books, Spines aims to reshape the future of book publishing, one AI-assisted project at a time.

THE GUARDIAN