Barbara Basbanes Richter

Who Wrote Shy Girl and Why It Matters

Publishing house Hachette—which publicly opposes 'machine creativity'—pulled Shy Girl after AI allegations. The scandal exposes a widening gap between publishers' anti-AI posture and their private incentives. Who really wrote the book, and why does it matter?

The Best Books to Read in March 2026

Three books worth your March: a pre-Roe novel that stings, an Icelandic elegy for a demolished church, and a stunning visual record of French sign painting's lost golden age.

Under Pressure

My first ghostwriting gigs consisted of firing off catchy product placement descriptions for major multinational retailers. I wrote copy that drove customers to add that fridge, hairdryer, or poly-blend sweater to their shopping carts. I’m sorry and you’re welcome.