‘Shy Girl’ First Traditionally Published Novel Pulled From Circulation Over AI Use

‘Shy Girl’, a horror novel by US author Mia Ballard, has become the first traditionally published novel to be pulled from circulation after evidence showed it was written with AI.

Initially self-published by the author in February 2o25, the novel was released by the traditional publishing house Hachette in the UK in November 2025 and has sold over 2,000 copies to date. It had already announced dates for its US release when a reviewer on the reading/book website Goodreads claimed the book appeared to have been written by ChatGPT. At the same time, another highlighted its bizarre formatting, typographical errors, and repetitive turns of phrase.

Following the discovery, Hachette has cancelled the novel’s release date and further noted that it will discontinue its publication/circulation in the UK.

So far, Ballard has denied using AI to write the book and told the New York Times that an acquaintance she hired to edit the original self-published version of the novel used AI.

“This controversy has changed my life in many ways, and my mental health is at an all-time low, and my name is ruined for something I didn’t even personally do,” she said, noting that she’d be pursuing legal action.”

Meantime, Hachette said it remains committed to protecting original creative expression and storytelling.