Meta Heist: copyright infringement by a tech oligarch

Meta Heist: copyright infringement by a tech oligarch

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I added the 100% RAGe tag to the cover art on all my books over a year ago. It was my way of stating, unequivocally, that nothing I publish was created with the use of generative AI.

Technically, spelling and grammar checkers — whether online or built into whatever software we’re using — qualify as AI. But there’s a bottomless chasm between (a) using AI tools to edit our work or serve as prompts, and (b) using generative AI to write our books for us.

What’s all this about Meta & AI and stealing books?

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Origin of the Species

Origin of the Species

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I like telling the (100% true) story of crafting my first sci-fi novellas on my mother’s 1950s manual Underwood typewriter.

In between the Underwood and my Powermac G3, I briefly owned a Compaq Presario (and Serif PagePlus), on the advice of a family friend (Dave G), who encouraged me to pursue my writing more seriously.

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100% RAGe (Real Author Guaranteed edition)

100% RAGe (Real Author Guaranteed edition)

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Everywhere you turn, “AI” crops up in the conversation. As a creative writer and freelance editor, I see a steady stream of bright ‘n’ shiny contract opportunities to carve out a cozy living by helping AI-bots replace writers and freelance editors.

On the other hand, I also hear reasonable voices inside the industry advocating for creatives to embrace AI as a writing/editing aide-de-campe.

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It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s … Imposter Syndrome!

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s … Imposter Syndrome!

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Volleyballs and creative writing have a lot in common. You can shove a volleyball underwater—out of sight, out of mind—but it will inevitably escape its watery dungeon and breach the surface like a 40-ton humpback whale.

I wish I’d kept my first rejection letter. Among writers, that’s like framing the first dollar bill you earned.

But no, my first-ever rejection letter threw me into a wannabe sci-fi writer’s funk. My career was over … why would I want to keep a written record of rejection?

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Eye-Catching Book Covers: standing out in a sea of sameness

Eye-Catching Book Covers: standing out in a sea of sameness

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If a picture paints a thousand words, what does that mean for book covers?

I’m currently reading Susan Bell’s The Artful Edit (because indie authors can never learn too much about editing). The content is great, but I’d also like to point out the exemplary cover design.

What stands out on this particular cover?

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Throwback Books (a look in a reader’s rearview mirror)

Throwback Books (a look in a reader’s rearview mirror)

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“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” (Stephen King)

“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.” (C.S. Lewis)

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” (Ernest Hemingway)

If you’re like me, you discovered reading at an early age. My greatest ally in feeding my reading addiction? The local library. Closer to home, my school library proved to be a treasure trove, allowing me access to a wide array of books and their authors, many of whom I mentioned in my debut post.

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A Tale of Two Critiques (Voices in a Writer’s Head)

A Tale of Two Critiques (Voices in a Writer’s Head)

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Writers always hear voices. Mostly in our heads.

A well-traveled joke says, “Writer’s block is when your imaginary friends stop speaking to you.”

And “imposter syndrome” lurks in the back of every writer’s mind. It has a voice of its own, too. Typically unpleasant.

Some of the voices are external; voices we’ve invited to critique or comment on our work. This can be a public reading, a local writers’ group, or—at a writing conference—outside experts offering their insights and suggestions.

I had some interesting adventures with external voices at a conference a number of years ago.

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New Novel Launch Day: Treehawke

New Novel Launch Day: Treehawke

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“An imaginative, exceptional novel!” ~ Jonas Saul, author of the Sarah Roberts series

“Fast-paced and haunting — a gripping combination of sci-fi and horror.” ~ the Booklife Prize

from the back cover:

If the Dead can’t get justice, they’ll settle for revenge.

Dalton Smith believes his shady past is finally behind him: recently married, a new name and career, and a decisive break from his father, Stoney Cove’s most notorious felon.

“You are a Speaker-with-the-Dead.” A young Asukan woman, seeking justice for her brother’s unsolved murder, accosts Dalton in a local bar, shattering the web of lies he’s crafted to protect himself and the woman he loves.

Beneath the Sunken City — segregated home of Stoney Cove’s Asukan population — the unavenged Dead begin to stir. The savage evidence of their fury forces Dalton out of hiding, back into the world he swore to leave behind.

But before Dalton can challenge Stoney Cove’s demons, he’ll have to confront his own.

Available at:

All links via Books2Read

Treehawke: Flash Fiction Polaroid Gallery

Treehawke: Flash Fiction Polaroid Gallery

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All images courtesy of Pixabay

Available at:

all links via Books2Read

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is yet another popular saying widely attributed to people who never said it. An early version (1911) can be traced to newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane: “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Regardless of its non-Confucius, non-Einstein, non-Napoleanic origin story, the phrase has captured the imaginations of many.

“Flash Fiction” is known by many names—and word counts—but the common dynamic is capturing a moment in time rather than telling a full story. To use photographic language, it’s a “snapshot,” not a photo essay.

In this case, I’ve captured nine “snapshot” quotes from Treehawke and combined them with photos to create a Flash Fiction Polaroid Gallery. The sweet spot? Teasing out significant elements from the book while remaining spoiler-free. Think of it as a Polaroid version of a movie trailer.

Enjoy.

Speaker with the Dead

Speaker with the Dead

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Treehawke Flash Fiction #3

Karlissa Doanekai padded up the circular staircase, her feet all but silent on the rusty steps. The subway tunnel receded below as she climbed to the rear entrance of her parents’ gift shop. The rear door stood slightly ajar, allowing a sliver of light to escape. She pushed the door open, squinting against the glare as she slipped into the stockroom.

“Welcome back, sis.”

She recognized her brother’s voice. If Jerrod was here, Zachary couldn’t be far. The two friends were virtually inseparable. She blinked as her eyes adjusted. “I came as fast as I could. Zack wouldn’t say anything specific over the phone.”

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