The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of news in the book community. Barnes & Noble officially opened its shelves to AI created content, which only substantiates the fears many authors have had revolving around AI. Not only has it learned how to generate words on the page by works stolen from real authors, but businessmen at the top of the food chain are inevitably going to look at it if it cuts costs and makes them a buck.
We can only hope that readers feel the difference and reject AI written materials in favor of human creativity.
The main appeal of AI generated material seems to be the speed with which it can spew out these works.
Now, as an author, I would have to say that the reason it is able to spit out this work so fast is because it does not have to sit with its emotions and struggle through difficult passages to get something real across to readers. Because of this, it will never be able to discover anything new about the human experience.
But in a generation of instant gratification, people want things now. So of course businessmen are going to look for a way to get more books out in a quick fashion.
SO!
I have made a decision to join Patreon.
Patreon has been on my radar for many years now, but for various reasons I did not have the time to devote to developing a page of my own. For those who are unfamiliar, it is basically a place where you can support me personally with a monthly subscription.
Said subscription will be used to help with hiring editors and cover artists as I continue to produce my art. And what do you get out of it?
Well, you get to watch a novel grow from start to finish. The novel in question is tentatively titled - The Graft - and is set in a WWI-esque fantasy world setting.
I am able to write 500-1000 words a day on my two current works in progress. This is on top of editing that I am doing for a book meant to come out later this year. When my editing is complete for the year, those word counts are going to double.
Patreon will permit you to read two chapters a week - or have those chapters read to you. (Yes, I’m narrating. Yes, it’s terrifying.) Rest assured that I am far, far further into the novel than that and have scheduled out the posts so that there is a significant buffer.
Those who do not like the serialization of novels and want their books whole, that’s fine. Patreon will also have early releases access for my upcoming novels, ARC signups for those willing to leave reviews, free content that shows you the research and concept of the novel as I go, as well as general thoughts on publishing.
The Graft will be available in its completed form once it is done. As in, fully edited and revised, not fresh off the pages of the Patreon. However, its ARC copies will be released there first for subscribers.
With the rise of AI, human artists must find a way to cope and keep up. Since it takes time to write a novel, this is my chosen means of coping. If you want to help support a human author in their pursuit of excellence in the craft, in their desire to understand human relationships and experience, then I hope you will join me.