At Lee’s Novels and Books and Hightower Publications, we believe in transparency, artistic integrity, and honoring the human craft of storytelling. We also believe that new technology should be understood and used responsibly rather than dismissed simply because it is new.
To keep our readers informed, here is how artificial intelligence (AI) is—and is not—used in our work.
The Place for AI
We believe there is a valuable place for AI as a helpful tool for technology, administration, research, problem-solving, and other practical tasks.
However, we believe AI belongs outside the creative writing process, where human voice, experience, imagination, and emotion are irreplaceable.
Writing and Storytelling
Every novel and short story offered through Lee’s Novels and Books and Hightower Publications is entirely human-written.
AI is not used to write, draft, generate, or rewrite our stories. The creative decisions—including characters, plot, dialogue, themes, scenes, and prose—come from the human author.
AI may be used for background research, much as we might use a search engine, reference source, or other research tool. Research assistance does not constitute authorship.
Our public-domain classics are also presented without AI-generated or AI-rewritten text.
AI as a Tool
We believe AI deserves a fair assessment.
Like any tool, AI can make mistakes. So can people. Information produced by AI should be questioned, reviewed, and verified when accuracy matters.
At the same time, dismissing AI simply because it can be wrong overlooks the tremendous value it can provide. AI has been an invaluable assistant in developing websites, working through technical challenges, organizing ideas, developing promotional materials, and creating many of the assets that support our work.
The important distinction is who is making the decisions.
AI can help us explore possibilities, solve problems, and accomplish things that might otherwise require considerable time or specialized assistance. But the human user remains responsible for the choices, the direction, the final product, and the creative work.
We believe AI should be viewed not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a powerful tool that can extend what a human being is capable of accomplishing.
Responsible Use and Verification
Responsible use of AI requires a workflow, not blind trust.
When information, images, ideas, or other material are found through Google or another source, we use additional resources—including AI—to help cross-check the material and identify whether it appears to be original, properly attributed, or potentially derived from someone else’s copyrighted or trademarked work.
We use the same process in reverse when AI assists us: AI-generated information and suggestions are cross-checked against other sources whenever appropriate.
Neither AI nor a search engine is infallible. Neither one can guarantee that material is free from every possible copyright or trademark issue. The responsibility for what we ultimately use remains ours.
Our goal is to use technology thoughtfully, checking sources, questioning results, respecting intellectual property, and exercising human judgment before incorporating any material into our work.
Respect for Intellectual Property
We take the copyrights, trademarks, and intellectual property of other creators seriously.
We do not believe that material becomes automatically acceptable simply because it was found through a search engine or produced with the assistance of AI. When AI or other technology assists us with research, ideas, technical work, or visual assets, we remain responsible for reviewing what we use and making informed decisions about its inclusion.
The tool does not remove the user’s responsibility.
Human Collaboration and Production
Our published books are brought to life through the expertise of industry professionals.
Most of our novels feature professional cover design and formatting by Emilie Haney, and all are meticulously edited by Deirdre Lockhart of Brilliant Cut Editing, the 2026 ACFW Editor of the Year. Including the soon to be released, Broken Sanctuary.
These human collaborations are an important part of the publishing process and reflect our belief that books are strengthened through the knowledge, skill, judgment, and creativity of people.
Visuals and Technology
AI tools may be used to assist with technical and promotional aspects of our work. This includes website development, promotional videos, and the creation of illustrations and images that accompany our short stories and inspirational shorts.
These uses are separate from the authorship of our written stories.
AI may help us build, illustrate, promote, research, or manage aspects of our work, but it does not write our books.
Technology, Change, and Responsibility
Every major technological change has brought both opportunity and resistance. That is part of the human response to change.
The printing press, photography, recorded music, computers, and the internet all changed how people created, communicated, and shared ideas, including the calculator. AI represents another significant technological development.
We do not believe the answer is to blindly trust it—or to dismiss it simply because it is new.
The answer is to learn how to use it responsibly, understand its limitations, respect the rights of others, verify important information, and keep human judgment at the center.
Our Commitment
We believe technology should serve creativity—not replace it.
The stories we publish are written by human beings, shaped by human experience, and created with the hope that they will mean something to another human being.
Thank you for supporting human creativity, responsible technology, and independent publishing.
Lee Wimmer
Lee’s Novels and Books
Hightower Publications