<p><a href="https://youtu.be/ijjzS2T40uA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watch as a full video episode on YouTube</a></p><br><p>This week, we lead with the scandal that has the industry in a frenzy, with Hachette pulling the release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel <em>Shy Girl</em> after viral claims that the prose was generated by AI. We discuss the YouTube video with over a million views that started the fire, the author’s defense involving an "acquaintance," and what this means for the future of "human" storytelling.</p><br><p>Staying on AI (when don't we talk about AI?), we discuss the UK government's decision to axe plans for a broad AI copyright exception, and ask if this is a victory for authors. Plus, we chat about the announcement that NielsenIQ and TikTok are launching a monthly Top 20 chart in the UK that combines real sales data with social media engagement.</p><br><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>01:24 Victory for Authors - UK Scraps AI Exception</p><p>10:36 Not Shy of Shortcuts - Hachette Ditches AI Novel</p><p>22:46 Tok of the Pops - Official UK Chart launched</p><p>30:06 Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction</p><p>36:42 Final Chapter - Pitt-Perfect Drama</p><br><p>Links:</p><p><a href="https://www.thebookseller.com/news/axed-ai-copyright-exemption-welcomed-by-book-trade-but-it-warns-damaging-avenues-remain-open" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Axed AI Copyright Exemption Welcomed By Book Trade</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/20/hachette-horror-novel-shy-girl-suspected-ai-use-mia-ballard" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hachette Horror Novel Shy Girl Suspended</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/12/official-booktok-chart-set-to-launch-in-the-uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Official BookTok Chart Set to Launch in the UK</a></p><br><p><br></p><p>Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!</p><p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Follow us on Bluesky</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Follow us on Instagram</a></p><br><p><br></p><p>Support the podcast - Buy me a<a href="https://ko-fi.com/nadinematheson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;cup of coffee</a>&nbsp;☕️.</p><br><p>Buy books by my guests &nbsp;<a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-conversation-with-nadine-matheson-podcast-booklist?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></p><br><p>Follow Me</p><p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nadinematheson.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky&nbsp;</a>|&nbsp;<a href="https://nadinematheson.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Substack</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/queennads" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NadineMathesonBooks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.com/@queennads?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Threads</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>