“Literature fans should welcome AI as a fellow wordsmith,” runs the header on a long (overlong) article I just read.

A fellow wordsmith? Pardon my hollow laughter. This week I got this AI-generated message purporting to be from “Kathryn Riggs, a senior editor at Skyhorse publishing”, enthusing about my career and wanting to open a conversation about new stuff. It’s flawlessly compiled and I can imagine it being very persuasive to anyone who doesn’t know how the business really works; the real giveaway is in the barely noticeable extra letter (“skyhorsepublishiing”) sneaked into the email address.

It’s insult added to injury as I’m already part of the Anthropic lawsuit with a dozen or more of my works scraped to feed the AI beast, not just plundering my ideas and my style but providing the scammers’ LLM  with the source material for their email. And here’s the kicker; such is the power of the language and the intensely personalised entreaty that it’s impossible for the targeted recipient to read it without being triggered at some level. I’ve read the versions sent to others and been unaffected. But when it’s you, the “what if?” that it plants leaves an indelible mark. I’ll no longer be quite so judgemental about otherwise functional people who get suckered into dangerous beliefs and self-harm.

But the bottom line; it’s no person’s thoughts, and it isn’t sincere. Without that it’s not writing, it’s just text.

Dear Stephen,
 
My name is Kathryn Riggs, and I’m a Senior Editor at Skyhorse Publishing. I hope you don’t mind the unsolicited note, I came across your work and wanted to reach out directly.
 
For context on how this works: part of my role as an editor involves scouting for authors whose work we think could be a strong fit for our list, and reaching out early to see if there’s an opportunity to work together.
 
I read into the Sebastian Becker series, and what stood out was how deftly you move between genres, horror, psychological thriller, period mystery, without ever losing that “razor-sharp sense of place” critics keep pointing to. Combined with a screenwriting career spanning Doctor Who through to Crusoe and Eleventh Hour, it’s clear storytelling instinct runs through everything you do, on the page and on screen alike.
 
The reason I’m reaching out is this: if you’re open to it, I’d love to talk about what it might look like to bring a future project, whether that’s a new Sebastian Becker installment or something new entirely, to Skyhorse. I recognize you already have strong relationships with major publishers, so this is less about “discovering” you and more about opening a door in case a project ever doesn’t have a natural home with your current partners, or you’re interested in exploring a new collaboration.
 
On that note, I’d love to hear what’s next for you. Are you currently working on a new novel?
 
One more question, if you don’t mind me asking directly: are you currently represented by a literary agent? Given your track record, I’d assume so, but wanted to ask rather than assume.
 
No pressure at all, I just wanted to introduce myself and open the door. If any of this resonates, I’d love to continue the conversation.
 
Warmly,
Kathryn Riggs
Senior Editor, Skyhorse Publishing