Why I Write (And How You Can Help Keep Stories Real)

An Author's Manifesto - If You read The News...

I want to share a little story with you today.

About five years ago, I self-published my first book. Back then, I thought it would be a one-time project, something for my kids to read, a way to show them that love and family can always coexist—even in complicated times. My inspiration came from the authors I adored growing up, storytellers like Jane Austen, Henry James, and Charlotte Brontë.

But then something incredible happened. The characters I created took on a life of their own. Fave, my first hero, grabbed hold of my imagination. Then his cousin Arnold started whispering his own story. And Lizzie, Fave’s younger sister, demanded her voice be heard too. One story turned into two, then three, and now over twenty books.

Every word I wrote poured out of me with all the love and care I could muster. I wanted these stories to feel real, to mean something—not just to me, but to anyone who might pick them up.

Here’s the thing about writing twenty books, though. It’s hard work. It’s weekends, evenings, stolen moments from my kids’ childhoods. It’s dedication, sacrifice, and a whole lot of heart.

And it’s real.

When I write, I make mistakes. My characters don’t always get their dresses right on the first try. Typos sneak in here and there. But one thing I could never claim is perfection. My books are not polished by a machine. They are crafted by me, one painstaking sentence at a time.

That’s why it’s so disheartening, so gut-wrenching, to see artificial intelligence used to steal and replicate heartfelt stories without permission. When these AI systems or pirates take what writers like me have created, they aren’t just taking words. They’re stealing pieces of our lives, our sleepless nights, our joy, and yes, even our mistakes.

I want you to know this from the bottom of my heart—I do not use AI in my writing. Every word you read in my books comes from me. From my hands tapping away on my keyboard, from my heart and the long hours spent dreaming up these worlds. My commitment is to you, the readers who care about real storytelling, who know the difference, and who value that difference deeply.

But I don’t just want to tell you I’m real—I want to show you. Here are a few steps I’m taking to ensure you know these stories are as real as they are human-authored.

1. You’ll occasionally see my face with my books. While I may not look like the heroines in my novels, I am their creator. Tired red eyes from typing and all, I plan to share real behind-the-scenes glimpses of me hard at work. You’ll see these updates in my newsletter, on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook.

2. Getting certified human-authored books. Just like fruit can be certified organic, my books are getting certified as human-authored through the Author’s Guild. They are, quite literally, the fruit of my labor!

3. Reducing free copies to combat piracy. Sadly, some of those giveaways get stolen and pirated. To cut down on that, I’ll be limiting free books. However, for readers like you, I’ll keep my prices as competitive as possible, especially on my website where I have more control. See www.SaraAdrien.com

4. Paying for anti-piracy protection. I’ve invested in services to help protect my work online. While no system is perfect, I’m doing what I can to ensure my books are harder to steal.

5. Filing copyrights. Every book I write gets an official copyright filed. This doesn’t just protect my work; it adds extra criminal penalties to anyone who infringes on it.

Does this cost me extra time and money?
Yes.

Does it take away from the time I’d rather spend writing the next book?
Absolutely.

But I do this because I care.
I care about the integrity of my work.
I care about the experience you have as a reader.
I care about earning your trust and never letting it down.

How can you help?

Simple things, really. Buy my books, gift my books, share your love for them with others. And if you spot piracy or fraudulent copies floating online, please, tell me! We’re on the same team, human-to-human.

If you’d like to stand with me and help keep authentic storytelling alive, the best way you can do that is simple. Pick up a book. Specifically, one of mine. It’s your love and support for real stories that keep writers like me going.

Click here to explore my books and pick up your next read.

Every click, every purchase, every reader walking alongside me on this creative path is a powerful reminder of why I started writing in the first place.

Thank you for being part of this story.

Warmly,
Sara Adrien

P.S. Every book you buy supports independent writing. Your choice makes a difference, and I’m so grateful for you. You can also upgrade to a paid Substack subscription. Everything is appreciated!