On Generative AI

 

It is, to say the least, a hot-button topic. And it's one that, as someone who works in a variety of fields affected by the arrival of generative AI, I have to write out my stance on clearly and accessibly. Because, as time goes on, it is going to be more and more essential to draw that line.

So first off, I should be clear about what this blog post isn't. It is not an attempt to change your mind, to make you understand that generative AI as currently utilized and marketed is bad for our brains, bad for the environment, bad for business, and bad for human creativity. If you were unaware of any of these points, the hypertext in the previous sentence will help you learn, and I encourage you to check those links out. But if these are all things you are aware of and you still champion large language models as "progress" (or even as "harmless" or "not great but"), then one middle-aged nerd in the U.S. is not going to change your mind.

If there's one thing this blog post is covering, it's my bases. Because I am a writer. I have books coming out, I review books, and I write for magazines and news websites. Every field I work in is being invaded by large language models, and people are being less and less open about their use thereof, or more and more slipshod with their admissions of use of it.

To that end, I want to be very clear about my stance, if I haven't been already. While I acknowledge the concept of artificial intelligence as useful in research and data processing and figuring out whether Freddy Fazbear is going to jumpscare you, I will never knowingly associate with a project that makes use of generative AI.

"But," say some of you, "you're going to be closing off a lot of creative venues." I sure am. And honestly, I'm probably going to have to step back from several things in the coming months and years. And I'll be sad to do so. But I am more committed to ensuring that I am never involved in the abuse of someone else's copyrighted creative work than I am in maximizing my income streams.

So, breaking it down:

I will never knowingly work with a publisher that allows the use of generative AI in their written work, in their covers, or in their press.

I will never knowingly attend a convention that employs the use of generative AI in its advertising.

I will never knowingly review or promote a book or project that uses generative AI.

I will never knowingly be a part of a project that uses generative AI, and if I discover too late that the project has employed generative AI without my knowledge, I will speak to the people in charge and discern whether they plan to continue using it. If they do, I will part ways with that project, and I will be open about why if asked.

Note that I put "knowingly" in every case. This is because I have ended up seeing generative AI integrated into projects after my portion was done, and without my knowledge. These happened at a time when I wasn't aware just how pervasive this would be, to the point that I would need to establish a stance and write it into any future agreements. Lesson learned. Going forward, this is going to be something I check regularly.

If you discover that a project I am currently active in is currently and actively employing generative AI, please don't hesitate to let me know. Because odds are I don't know about it and I'll want to be told.

With all that said, I'm very happy to say that two publishers I work with regularly - Obverse Books and 18thWall - are both of the same mind. Obverse makes a note of their commitment to human creativity in every book they publish now, and MH Norris of 18thWall spoke out about NaNoWriMo's misguided stance on generative AI and accessibility. I am proud to work with them and honored that they count me among their regular contributors.

I will continue to vet the projects I review, support, and in which I participate. There will be misses along the way, but it's more important to me to stand firm on this. Once this post goes live, I will link it prominently so it's always accessible.

To those of you who continue to value human creativity, thank you. You're keeping something really beautiful alive.

My Three Favorite Cozy Places on the Peninsula

 

It would be nice if I could always travel to my favorite places in the world—but that gets expensive. To that end, I've tried to be a little more supportive of my own hometown and find places nearby where I can get out, get away, and have a relaxing afternoon or evening. And fortunately, I found several, all relatively close to where I grew up.

As I write this up on a particularly rainy day, I'm thinking about these lovely little places: places where I can do some reading or writing, shop for books, or otherwise enjoy myself in the kind of atmosphere I crave. And it doesn't hurt that everything on this list is a small business, and I am all about shouting out small businesses wherever I can!

Busy Nothings Coffee

All I have to say to my friends is "Jane Austen themed coffee shop" and no further context is needed. Busy Nothings Coffee is tucked away in the shops of Port Warwick, right where Discover Teas used to have their Peninsula store. The inside is bright enough for reading but dim enough for calm, and the seating is separated out so you can have just about as much privacy as you want. Some networking groups use it as a meeting place, and for good reason! Just be sure to avoid lunch hour if you're aiming for peak quiet time.

The menu features coffee and tea (including Chapters teas!), blended energy drinks, and a variety of sweet and savory meal and snack options. Literary fans will love the Jane Austen, Bridgerton, and Outlander-themed selections. My go-to is a Daphne and the Duke (rose cardamom tea latte) and an order of their pimento cheese with crackers. The staff are super friendly and helpful and the shop itself is welcoming—pretty much everything I have coming out in the near future will issue in whole or in part from a series of writing sessions there.

Paperbacks Ink

In the other direction is Paperbacks Ink, a shop that's been around for a while but is under new management as of a few years ago. This purveyor of new and used books is a godsend, whether you're an avid reader or a local author.

Thanks to their business model, which runs largely on donations of used books, Paperbacks Ink can offer both new and used books at consistent, affordable prices. They also host events, rent out event space, and have great deals for local authors looking to showcase their books. It makes me extremely happy that there's a non-chain bookstore nearby, and one that's looking to spotlight local talent!

In the back, there's Tastefully Philly Cafe, right near some well-placed tables and outlets. While I haven't had everything on their menu, what they do offer is fantastic. I'm a big fan of the chickpea salad sandwich. And when they say they have "the best banana pudding" (a bold claim not far from a certain barbecue restaurant famous for theirs)... they're not kidding.

Styx & Stones Moon Market

If you like outdoor markets but don't like the push and shove of larger locations, the Moon Market hits the perfect balance. Set along Main Street in my beloved Historic Hilton Village, the event is hosted by Styx & Stones and takes place on the first Friday evening of every month (weather permitting). Artists, crafters, food and drink vendors—and yes, local authors!—can grab a table outside the Village's historic shops.

Though I've only just started attending these, I've already seen a broad span of goods at the stalls. New books, soaps, scents, cookies, accessories, knickknacks, and artwork are all on display. There was even a tabletop gaming vendor offering some really gorgeous 3D-printed terrain, and a trailer serving up coffee.

Wander down between 6 and 9 pm on the first Friday of each month. Heck, I might even sell some books there someday in the future.

While I do travel a lot, and London is probably my favorite city in the world, these little corners of Newport News mean a lot to me. If you're ever in the area, be sure to give them a look. And wherever you are, it's always a good idea to support small businesses. They're the places that make us feel the most welcome.