Hachette Book Group has decided against releasing the novel "Shy Girl" in the United States this spring due to suspicions that artificial intelligence was used to create the text. The publisher will also withdraw the book from sale in the United Kingdom, where it is currently available.

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Hachette stated that its choice followed a detailed examination of the book's content. However, reviewers on platforms like GoodReads and YouTube had already been discussing the likelihood that the work was AI-generated. The New York Times reported that it had contacted Hachette regarding these concerns about "Shy Girl" just one day before the announcement was made.

In an email to The New York Times, author Mia Ballard refuted claims that she used AI to write her novel. She attributed the issues to an acquaintance she hired to edit the original, self-published version of "Shy Girl." Ballard mentioned that she is taking legal steps in response to the situation and expressed that the controversy has severely impacted her well-being, stating, "my mental health is at an all time low and my name is ruined for something I didn’t even personally do."

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Industry commentators, including writer Lincoln Michel, have pointed out that U.S. publishers typically do not perform comprehensive edits on titles they acquire that have already been published in other formats.