Brave New Bookshelf

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, Phil Marshall and Stacy Smith Rogers from Spoken join us to explore the cutting edge of AI-generated audiobooks and multi-voice narration. Phil and Stacy share insights into Spoken’s "human-centric" approach to digital storytelling, highlighting their innovative "pay when perfect" model and the upcoming MV2 release designed to bring cinematic, multicast quality to indie authors at a fraction of traditional costs. From voice cloning for memoirs to the launch of their Certified Spoken Producer program, this discussion reveals how authors can leverage AI to scale their backlists and meet the growing demand for high-quality audio content. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Robin Johnson of Florida Girl Design to explore the evolving landscape of AI-augmented graphic design. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Robin shares her journey from initial skepticism to becoming a certified AI creator, explaining how she uses tools like Midjourney, Ideogram, and Nano Banana to solve complex visual problems and overcome the limitations of traditional stock photography. The discussion dives into the concept of "Digital Design Rescue," the importance of professional intention in prompting, and how AI allows for greater diversity and representation in book cover art. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we're joined by author and educator Susan Gable to discuss the vital intersection of critical thinking and generative AI. Drawing from her innovative work with Stossel in the Classroom, Susan shares the results of a fascinating "AI Challenge" experiment that moved beyond banning AI to instead requiring students to use it as a Socratic partner, highlighting why the "human in the loop" is more important than ever. The conversation also dives into Susan’s personal success using AI to break through a decade of writer’s block, offering profound insights for authors on how to offload the physical and mental drudgery of writing while maintaining their role as the essential "Story Architect." Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we are joined by fantasy author Amy Campbell to explore the surprising ways AI can assist authors in the physical world. Amy shares her "boots on the ground" experience using ChatGPT’s vision capabilities to design an optimized table layout for a recent convention, ensuring maximum visual appeal and customer flow in a limited space. Beyond aesthetics, the discussion delves into using AI for deep-dive market research, calculating event ROI, and even troubleshooting hardware issues on the fly. Whether you are looking to conquer your next book signing as an introvert or simply want to learn how to use AI as a 24/7 technical consultant, this episode provides actionable strategies for bridging the gap between digital tools and live reader engagement. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Jay Rosenkrantz, co-founder of Plot Drive, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the novelist’s workflow. Jay shares his fascinating journey from professional poker and screenwriting to building an AI-powered workspace that helps authors manage complex story contexts and break through creative blocks. They dive into the results of a unique "bookstore experiment" regarding reader perceptions of AI prose, the power of "Co-writer" as a developmental editor, and why author intuition remains the most critical element in the age of generative technology. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.