In this world, and especially amongst the avid reader community, AI can be a touchy or controversial subject. That’s why I want to nip it in the bud from the get go and let you know my perspective.
If you read nothing else, please read this: 100% of the words written on the pages of my debut novel The Orion Odyssey are mine. AI is ONLY being used for CONCEPT ART.
Now that that’s out of the way… Hello fellow space adventurers! I just wanted to drop a quick note about the art you’ll sometimes see me post here, or on Instagram, or Twitter, or wherever else I decide to test the tentacles of fate (book reference!)
First and foremost, I am a writer. While I would love to have a full-time artist following me around like a loyal Skitterling (more book references! Aren’t you glad you’re reading this??) It’s just not feasible at this point in time.
That means for now, the concept art I post is just that – conceptual
For full transparency, here’s where it comes from:
- Sometimes it’s AI-generated mockups I use to brainstorm
- Sometimes, it’s me fighting for my life in Photoshop or Illustrator
- One day I hope it’s loyal fans who send me amazing stuff I can post
- Eventually, when I make money doing the writing part, I will commission REAL art from REAL artists which will ALWAYS BE CREDITED.
Why use AI art at all? Glad you asked!
- Visuals help me write
- Visuals help you understand the world I’m trying to build
- Sometimes, when I get stuck writing, I want to throw crap at the wall and see what sticks.
Here are my promises:
- AI generated art is not and never will be final art
- I will never replace real artists with AI art when time comes that I need real art for ads, promos, whatever
- It. Is. Not. AI. For. Profit.
Literally anyone can prompt most of the stuff that I post here. I am not here to sell water to a whale. I am here to try and sell the thing that is exclusive to me. My voice.
Here’s what you will always get from me:
- A story crafted by human hands, using the two neurons I can successfully rub together to make a cohesive story.
- AI Art that supports and teases at the story, not the other way around.
- Transparency when I work with real artists. I went to a very special school for 6 years of my life (think Highschool Musical) where we were all artists. I happened to specialize in videography at the time, but point is – I respect the absolute hell out of artists.
If you ever have questions, ideas, or want to submit a doodle of a Gloomlope (seriously, PLEASE) my inbox is open. Let’s make some weird space magic together.
-Ed