I used to get some contract freelance work that generated all the profit of my writing business. I subsidized my beloved novels by writing non-fiction for other people.

They never said anything. The only feedback I ever got was that end clients loved what I produced. I hadn't raised my prices in years, so I was probably the cheapest option of human writers.

But they began to call less often, then less often still, until I haven't heard from them in months.

I don't actually know I was replaced by AI, but it sure looks like it.

I'm not an AI absolutist. I like it for research. I've used it to make fun graphics to post here (never book covers). I don't hate AI.

It does have a cost, though. I used to pay two editors; now I pay one. I used to buy luxurious $500 covers; now I get them for $90 (And I love the work they do for me at GetCovers). I used to be able to afford audiobooks.

Personally, I'm doing fine. I have an awesome real life job, writing is only my passion project. But AI (presumably) taking my writing also took profits out of the hands of those other members of the indie community.

AI has a real cost.