Brave New Bookshelf

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Greg Keogh, co-founder of Curios, to discuss the revolutionary shift toward direct-to-reader sales. Greg shares how Curios empowers authors by acting as the merchant of record—handling the complexities of sales tax and customer support—while providing a "permissionless" platform that welcomes AI-forward content and high-spice fiction without the fear of de-platforming. From the logistical ease of setting up a digital storefront in minutes to the exciting future of integrated print-on-demand services, this conversation explores how authors can reclaim their independence, own their reader data, and build a more resilient publishing business. 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 are joined by prolific sci-fi author and software engineer Malorie Cooper to dive deep into the technical and philosophical future of AI in publishing. Malorie shares her fascinating transformation from an AI skeptic to a power user, explaining how she utilizes custom hardware rigs and her proprietary "Lore Oracle" system to manage an expansive fictional universe of over 130 books. The discussion spans from the "sentience gradient" and the emergent behaviors of AI in Project Sid to practical, high-level strategies like creating "continuance artifacts" to manage AI context windows. Whether you are curious about the ethics of machine intelligence or looking for cutting-edge ways to automate your series bible and research, this conversation offers a visionary look at the intersection of code and creativity. 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 author Coral Hart and her lead programmer, Phil, to discuss the revolutionary development of Authorythm. This innovative platform is designed as a comprehensive "operating system for authors," bridging the gap between creative craft and technical code to allow writers to draft entire five-book series while keeping their business data and marketing in one centralized location. Coral and Phil share their journey of building an AI-driven engine that eliminates the common "editing stew" of anxiety and scales production, all while ensuring the human author remains the creative lead. 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, 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.