Written by Amanda Goldrick-Jones | Edited by Rainer Zhang

On October 27, 2024, the Surrey International Writers’ Conference (SiWC) offered four local editors—Amanda Goldrick-Jones, Amber Riaz, Lisa Hislop, and Molly Cernik—the opportunity to share their ideas and strategies for future-proofing writing. Panellists focused on writer awareness of audience diversity, inclusion, racial and cultural identity, understanding marginalization and acting on that understanding, and how large language models like ChatGPT can perpetuate biases in writing without human oversight. 

As moderator, Amber invited Amanda to start with a quick overview of how AI impacts writing and editing. Focusing on ChatGPT and Copilot, Amanda noted AI’s potential to enhance aspects of the writing process and save time for editors. But she also highlighted how using these tools uncritically can perpetuate bias and other forms of marginalization endemic to online life. 

“For that reason alone,” Amanda said, “even though many of us are skeptical about the role of AI, I think writers need to future-proof themselves today for AI tomorrow. We shouldn’t avoid it but rather explore and learn more about its affordances and limitations.” She added this caution: “Human oversight is essential.”

Lisa addressed the issue of writing only what we know rather than representing a diverse audience. “For example,” she said, “if the only people writing disabled (or queer, or black, or Muslim) characters are authors who possess those qualities, the literary landscape will be segregated and unrelatable.” As a disabled reader, Lisa would like writers to mix characters like herself into books. All too often, in books or films, “people are trying to cure us or kill us.”

But what if a writer is nervous about accurately representing differences they know nothing about? Segregation based on differences is “baked into the systems we live in,” so Lisa encourages writers and editors to meet and talk to people who aren’t like them. “By representing our audiences in our casts of characters,” Lisa said, “we’re showing readers not only that they matter but that the breakdown of segregated systems is a normal part of society.”

Amber took up the topic of representation from a publishing standpoint. As she puts it, there’s “an insatiable demand for diverse perspectives,” but it’s unclear who gets published and why. Trying to navigate the culture wars can discourage writers from writing what they don’t know, with concerns about censorship and so-called cancel culture looming large. “Are we telling writers to curb their imagination and to not say what they feel and think?” 

Amber suggested these strategies to future-proof writing:

• Address unconscious biases
• Do research
• Come from a place of understanding
• Hire sensitivity/authenticity readers
• Have discussions; receive feedback

Molly focused on the need for intimacy and care to future-proof writing. As she put it, “How this shows up in writing is treating people’s stated needs seriously.” Suggesting we seek out writing that invites us to understand unfamiliar needs and perspectives, she stressed that understanding by itself isn’t enough; “we need to care and to act on that care.”

For Molly, another aspect of future-proofing is “actively working against” bigotry and bias that define marginalized people as “not capable of anything that a ‘real person’ is capable of.” Writers should consider the myriad possibilities of marginalized people taking on the full range of roles that define humanity and “be clear that all of these possibilities of choices, essences, heritages, and achievements exist alongside each other.”

Finally, because errors are inevitable, future-proofing means being prepared to apologize. Molly described three parts of a proper apology: “acknowledge the nature of the hurt inflicted, express contrition, and state what you can do to avoid inflicting that hurt in the future.” 

During the Q&A that concluded the panel, a consensus emerged that writing for tomorrow today calls on writers’ and editors’ willingness to be open—to learn and try. Future-proofing includes research, talking to diverse people and groups while respecting their boundaries, trying sincerely to connect, and practicing understanding and care. In Lisa’s words, it’s also about “getting your fears out on the table because just thinking about it isn’t enough.”

~~~~

About the panellists:

Amanda Goldrick-Jones is a former academic, now a freelance editor and owner of Arrow Editing Services. Specializing in academic and non-fiction editing, Amanda also has a long-time interest in fiction and, lately, has been exploring the use and ethics of AI as an editing and writing tool.

Amber Riaz works at Environmental Resources Management as the technical editor for publications on environmental and impact assessments. Through her freelance business, A4 Editing, she copy-edits academic books and journal articles and works with self-publishing authors on memoirs, fantasy fiction, and literary fiction. Passionate about inclusion and diversity as they apply to the publishing industry, Amber works hard to keep up with discussions about conscious language and its use in manuscripts.

Lisa Hislop is a freelance editor specializing in preparing short stories, collections, and anthologies for submission, query, and publication. As part of the autistic, physically disabled, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, she considers “writing for tomorrow today” as representing the diversity of the audience rather than writing what we know.

Molly Cernik is a developmental editor of horror and science fiction. Her editorial practice is built from being very good at reading, learning a lot about the internal and external structures of thought and emotion, and having been brought to understand the value and practice of kindness. 

With many thanks to Kyle Hawke for proposing this panel to SiWC and inviting the participants.

~~~~

Copyedited by Rainer Zhang

Rainer is a lifelong writer and early-career editor whose work has been previously published by Bright Flash Literary Review. Their favourite pastime is watching their partner play soulsborne games for hours on end.