In today’s rapidly evolving content landscape, the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence is no longer a distant idea—it’s here. A recent survey of nearly 1,500 professional writers calls attention to where we stand right now. According to Publishers Weekly: “while most professional writers are embracing AI tools, authors, specifically fiction authors, are much more wary.” PublishersWeekly.com
What the study finds
The survey, commissioned by Gotham Ghostwriters and Bernoff.com, involved 1,190 writing professionals and 291 fiction authors—giving a broad cross‑section of the writing profession. PublishersWeekly.com
Key findings include:
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61% of the writers in the survey say they use AI tools, reporting an average productivity boost of 31%. PublishersWeekly.com
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Yet only 7% of respondents have used AI to generate text that they’ve actually published. PublishersWeekly.com
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Among fiction authors: only 42% use AI at least sometimes; and just 11% use it to create publishable text. PublishersWeekly.com
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A sharp divide emerges: those who use AI tend to view it more positively; those who don’t are nearly unanimous in their concerns about training on copyrighted work and the quality of AI‑generated text. PublishersWeekly.com
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From the freelancer / agency side: almost half of freelancers surveyed say they have already experienced reduced demand for their work due to AI. PublishersWeekly.com
Why this matters for magazine publishers and authors
For the world of Christian magazine publishing these findings carry several implications:
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Editorial process shifts
Even if you’re not generating full articles via AI, many writers are using AI for brainstorming, heading generation, word choice support, and search–the “assistive” side of the technology. Understanding how those tools enter the workflow helps editors stay ahead of change. -
Quality, authenticity and ethos
Fiction authors’ fears reflect a broader concern: If AI‑generated text becomes bland or predictable (“…bland and boring AI‑generated slop,” as the report puts it) then the unique voice, intentionality, and worldview that underpin Christian publishing risk being diluted. PublishersWeekly.com -
Copyright and ethical considerations
The training of AI tools on existing copyrighted texts is a hot topic—and many writers are disturbed by this. If you’re commissioning freelance writers, negotiating rights, or considering AI assistance with content, awareness of these concerns is vital. -
Business and work‑force dynamics
If nearly half of freelancers already feel the pressure of reduced demand, then magazines, publishers, and their teams might need to reassess how they allocate work, value human creativity, and document ROI on editorial time.
A call to action
For Christian publishers who value excellence, depth, and mission‑centric content:
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Consider running an internal audit of how your team or freelancers use AI tools (if at all).
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Engage your writers and editors in an honest discussion: What are they comfortable with? Where do they draw the line?
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Monitor creative output: Are your stories still reaching the depth and relevance your readers expect?
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Set usage policies and ethical guardrails around AI‑assisted writing so you preserve authenticity, voice, and trust.
Dive deeper
I encourage you to read the full article in Publishers Weekly, “New Report Examines Writers’ Attitudes toward AI” (Nov 5, 2025) for the full survey breakdown and commentary. PublishersWeekly.com
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Magazine Training International’s mission is to encourage, strengthen, and provide training and resources to Christian magazine publishers as they seek to build the church and reach their societies for Christ.
