Mia Ballard

Mia Ballard is a US author whose horror novel, *Shy Girl*, has become the center of controversy due to allegations of AI involvement in its writing. Originally self-published in February 2025 and later slated for a UK release in November, the novel gained attention and was scheduled for a US release the following month. However, the US publisher has now cancelled the book's release amid growing concerns and suspicions that AI was used extensively in the writing process. This has sparked debate about the role of AI in creative writing and the potential impact on authorship and originality. The incident highlights the increasing anxieties within the literary world regarding the use of AI and its implications for the future of publishing and literary criticism.