Information, Medium & Society – The Publishing Studies Research Network International Award for Excellence

An annual award for newly published research or thinking that has been recognized to be outstanding by members of the Information, Medium & Society – The Publishing Studies Research Network.

Award Winner for Volume 21

Eliza: Lessons from Interactive Novels about Publishing in the Era of AI

This article explores the impact of generative AI and interactive fiction on digital publishing, with a focus on the dialogical and narrative complexities these technologies introduce. Using the interactive novel/game Eliza as a case study, the research explores the illusions of changing definitions of authorship, storytelling, and knowledge production in the context of AI-driven content creation and publishing. The study begins by tracing the historical developments in digital publishing where AI is contributing. It examines how these advancements challenge conventional notions of dialogue and authorship, emphasizing the tendency of AI to promote agreement and flow over conflict and critical engagement. The conceptual framework is dedicated to the role of interactive fiction in redefining narrative dynamics through dialogical elements within digital publishing. The paper analyzes Eliza as a critical example of how interactive games can offer insights into the evolving nature of knowledge production and the dialectical relationships in digital narratives. The game's design and narrative structure, which emphasize player choice and engagement, are explored as reflections of the broader shifts in the publishing industry and making of technology. The article also discusses the methodological considerations for studying narrative frictions in digital games and their implications for publishing studies and understanding technological shifts. It argues that exploring the tensions they reflect is crucial for comprehending how AI and interactive media shape storytelling and content creation. In conclusion, the study posits that AI technologies and interactive fiction are continuing the emphasis on communicative dialogue and synthesis, necessitating a more nuanced understanding of the dialogic and narrative complexities they introduce. It calls for a critical engagement with these technologies to ensure diversity and inclusivity in the future of publishing.

Past Award Winners

Volume 20

Thirty Years Reflection and Implication of the Allowability of Controversial Anti-government, Revolutionary Book Publishing by Great Britain

Susan Fredricks, Information, Medium, and Society: Journal of Publishing Studies, Volume 20, Issue 1, pp. 1-16


Volume 19

Post-truth Reflections on Public Origins and Functions of Publishing

Jayson Harsin, Information, Medium, and Society: Journal of Publishing Studies, Volume 19, Issue 1, pp. 7-19


Volume 18

Are You Okay?: Mental Health Narratives in Art Zines from the Zineopolis Collection

Jackie C. Batey, Information, Medium, and Society: Journal of Publishing Studies, Volume 18, Issue 1, pp. 1-12


Volume 17

The Beetle and the Bard: Aspects of 17th Century Printing Practice as Illustrated by the Works of Thomas Moffet and William Shakespeare

Alexandra Alvis, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 17, Issue 2, pp. 15-28


Volume 16

Could the Digital Option Work for a Book Market under Stress?: The Case of Greek Publishers

Anna Karakatsouli, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 16, Issue 1, pp. 1-11


Volume 15

Ben Lerner and the Novel in the Age of Digital Media

Denise Rose Hansen, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 15, Issue 3, pp. 11-21


Volume 14

Christine de Pizan and Emily Dickinson: Feminine Power through Textual Production

Keith Kopka, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 14, Issue 2, pp. 23-39


Volume 8

A Codicology of the Interface: Reading Practices and Digital Reading Environments

Voytek Bialkowski, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp.101–106


Volume 7

Peer Review and the Revolutionary Academic: A Kuhnian Critique

Adam Riggio, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 7, Issue 1, pp.9–16


Volume 6

Innovation and the Future of e-Books

John W. Warren, The International Journal of the Book, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp.83–94