When Words Collide - 2025

Love this conference. It brings together writers from across the multi-genres. I'll be there, critiquing blind pitches (Friday at 2 pm), reading at Noir at the Bar (outloud, for all to hear), at 7 pm, and on Saturday at 11, hosting a panel on positive fiction. Positive, people. Bring your smiles and hope. Especially you fellow Americans.

AI and breakfast ceral

I was asked recently about authors using artificial intelligence to help write their novels. While I'm not using the tool for any actual text, it is an excellent expedient for research. In the way cereal is a super fast breakfast. Perhaps not the best, but really good oatmeal takes an hour at least.

Who's got time for that? I’ve been a mid-list author for close to 40 years, so I've got to get moving. Having published every way imaginable, from traditional to Amazon to my own imprint, and still not found the best-selling formula, I understand the temptation to find faster, easier ways to increase output. ‘New and Improved’ is always subjective, though, isn’t it? I see it on a cereal box with that burst and wonder. It’s nice that they have nutrition fact panels, too, so I know what went into the Franken Berries. Original paintings, a handmade Bugatti, artisanal ketchup – we tend to value the input whether we can see it, feel it, taste it or not.

If an author wants to use AI, fine. Just let us know.