A thought-provoking essay, John, on a modern-day writers’ dilemma. Let us know in a future Natural Stories post what you decide, and how you arrived at that decision. No judgement here.
As someone in the publishing and creative community — I would advise against it. It’s not much money and allowing Ai to glean your thoughts and phrases steals from you and from our ability to find your unique voice.
Also. I’m frustrated that so many players in the publishing industry take such big cuts. Authors are at the bottom of that feeding cycle. But they are the creators- without them we have nothing.
I think you’re on to something when you wonder if people know how to think about this. For me, the way you framed this dilemma helped me think about it, especially when you put into greater context what the $340 means. But I still don’t know how to respond. On the one hand, it bothers me that someone, or something, values the work at only $340. On the other hand, I didn’t know what royalty you receive for each book sold now, and now that I know I can better accept what $340 means. I’m really no help here, but I do appreciate your struggle (for what that’s worth…$340??).
Right, when I was publishing a book, I came to accept that society didn't put much monetary value on it. But now that AI reconceives the book as both something less ("just data") and far more (as RCT says above, my voice and your ability to see it as unique)... the $340 seems both "in line with the old regime" and "totally inappropriate"!
A thought-provoking essay, John, on a modern-day writers’ dilemma. Let us know in a future Natural Stories post what you decide, and how you arrived at that decision. No judgement here.
Thanks for highlighting that I structured this story as a cliffhanger!
A good read, John. For some reason, while reading your post, the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers came to mind.
As someone in the publishing and creative community — I would advise against it. It’s not much money and allowing Ai to glean your thoughts and phrases steals from you and from our ability to find your unique voice.
Also. I’m frustrated that so many players in the publishing industry take such big cuts. Authors are at the bottom of that feeding cycle. But they are the creators- without them we have nothing.
Right, this is yet another middleman... the most powerful and dangerous one yet.
I think you’re on to something when you wonder if people know how to think about this. For me, the way you framed this dilemma helped me think about it, especially when you put into greater context what the $340 means. But I still don’t know how to respond. On the one hand, it bothers me that someone, or something, values the work at only $340. On the other hand, I didn’t know what royalty you receive for each book sold now, and now that I know I can better accept what $340 means. I’m really no help here, but I do appreciate your struggle (for what that’s worth…$340??).
Right, when I was publishing a book, I came to accept that society didn't put much monetary value on it. But now that AI reconceives the book as both something less ("just data") and far more (as RCT says above, my voice and your ability to see it as unique)... the $340 seems both "in line with the old regime" and "totally inappropriate"!
Wonderful