Mark O’Bannon
Epic Fantasy • Cosmic Science Fiction • Mythic Adventure
HUMAN AUTHORSHIP STATEMENT:
How I Write & Create My Books
This policy is informed by the Authors Guild’s AI Best Practices for Authors
Human Authorship
Every scene and every final line in my books are written by me.
I do not use AI to generate or draft my story text.
My Structure-First Method
I begin with intuition and research, then develop the premise, theme, characters and complete structural blueprint.
I design the structure of every story myself, without AI assistance.
My No-AI Drafting Rule
I personally write all chapters, scenes, dialogue, narration, and descriptions.
I do not use AI-generated prose in my manuscripts.
What I Use AI For
I may use AI tools for limited assistance with:
- Research involving history, culture, geography, science, and terminology
- Proofreading for typographical and grammatical errors
- Consistency and formatting checks
- Questions concerning clarity, logic, plausibility, and continuity
- Editorial feedback on passages I have already written, including observations about clarity, rhythm, repetition, and word choice
AI may raise questions or suggest possible alternatives, but I treat these only as editorial feedback.
I independently evaluate every suggestion and write the final wording myself. I do not copy AI-generated prose into my manuscripts.
I verify research independently and remain responsible for every fact, creative decision, and line that appears in the finished book.
What I Do Not Use AI For
I do not use AI for:
- Generating chapters, scenes, dialogue, narration, descriptions, or first drafts
- Designing my story structure
- Replacing my voice, imagination, judgment, or creative decision-making
- Copying or imitating the distinctive style of any specific living author
- Producing story text that is presented as my own writing
COVER DESIGN PROCESS
I sometimes use generative image tools to create individual visual elements for my covers, such as characters, backgrounds, costumes, architecture, or symbols.
I then design and construct the finished cover myself in Adobe Photoshop. This work may include selecting and combining elements, compositing, repositioning, retouching, correcting details, adjusting lighting and color, creating typography, establishing the layout, and preparing the final production files.
Some visual elements may be created using Adobe Firefly. Adobe states that its Firefly models are trained on licensed content, including Adobe Stock, as well as public-domain material. Adobe also states that eligible Stock contributors are compensated for the use of their content in training.
Other visual elements may be created using additional generative image tools. These tools have their own training methods and policies and should not be assumed to use the same sources as Adobe Firefly.
When AI-generated visual elements are used, I disclose them to publishing and distribution platforms when required.
My Promise to Readers:
The story you are reading is human-made.
It was imagined, structured, written, and revised by me.
Within the written manuscript, AI tools are used only for research, proofreading, consistency checking, and limited editorial feedback on text I have already written. They are never used to generate the story itself.
The finished cover is designed, assembled, edited, and completed by me, although it may incorporate individual visual elements created with generative image tools.
