Will books written by A.I. replace books written by humans?

Will books written by A.I. replace books written by humans?

by | Jul 1, 2023 | Blog

There’s a trend I’ve noticed in my life, and it’s one I’m not at all fond of.
It was in March of 2020 when I let my guard down, congratulating myself for finally having it together. I’m sure a few of us know what happens next in that story.
In November of 2022 was when I got serious about writing. I launched Live by Design, a weekly newsletter on the topic of mindset, and I committed myself to a writing habit for the first time. Two days later my TikTok feed was overrun with videos about something called ChatGPT.
Generative A.I. had been born, and my boyish excitement fast turned to dread and remorse at the death of my dream of being a published author. With immense hesitation I’ve come to a point in which I understand how I can use this new tool in a way that is not only effective, but also aligns with my integrity.
Much of my professional writing is done in the interest of clicks and traffic, and generative A.I. has given me the ability to create content optimized for algorithms. That saves me from suffering over words that don’t resonate in my heart and mind.
Will books written by A.I. replace books written by humans? I doubt it, but don’t be fooled into thinking we haven’t been reading computer generated content for years. This is just the next step, one we’ll adapt to.
As much as I love imaging mathematicians scoffing at the calculator when it was invented, it’s a tool we all walk around with. A.I. has the ability to make us better and more discerning in how we write and consume.
By the way, this was written by a real life human.

Trey Kauffman
(380) 201-3300

MosaicLife.co

     

Into the Springs Writers Workshop

Into the Springs Writers Workshop

by | May 2, 2023 | Blog

Sponsored blog post:

Into the Springs Writers Workshop

Cultivate your craft at the Into the Springs Writers’ Workshop.
This summer’s version of the Into the Springs Writers’ Workshop will feature award-winning writer, author, and strategist Jane Friedman and science fiction and fantasy writer Jason Sanford.
The two will collaborate for a two-day writer’s intensive in Yellow Springs, Ohio on August 4-6, 2023.

In its second year at The Mills Park Hotel, a larger venue than in prior years, Into the Springs attendees will enjoy numerous opportunities for personal interactions with Ms. Friedman and Mr. Sanford.

  • Writing topics Ms. Friedman will highlight include Publishing Trends; Fixing Mistakes on Author Websites; How Likely the First Lines of a Story Will Attract an Agent, Editor, or Reader; and How to Get a Book Traditionally or Independently Published.

In 2023, Jane was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World; her newsletter was awarded Media Outlet of the Year in 2020.

 Mr. Sanford has been a four-time finalist for the Nebula Awards in various categories such as Best Novel and Best Short Story.  

  • His sessions will focus on Publishing Trends; Writing Tips to Advance a Story; How Likely the First Lines of a Story Will Attract an Agent, Editor, or Reader; The Short Story Market & Patreon.

The second and final night of the event, August 5, will include book sales by the two authors, followed by author signings, An Open Mic Reading Night will immediately follow. Volunteer participants will give five-minute readings from their work. If anyone is hesitant to do so, one of two actors will be glad to read the piece instead. A cash bar will be available.

In addition, for one hour on both mornings of the workshop, before the sessions begin, participants are invited over for coffee, tea and writing.

Registration is open now until July 25. For more info and to register, go to the website at www.IntoTheSpringsWritersWorkshop.com.



Great News. WNC lives on.

Great News. WNC lives on.

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Blog, Write Now Columbus - Current Essay, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives

Great News. WNC lives on.

Dear Writers and Readers:

Nita here—one final time.

Thank you to the many people who showed interest in helping Write Now Columbus (WNC) continue. I so appreciate the care and concern expressed for my 20-year endeavor. A few comments brought me to tears. Gratefully, we have a plan to continue!

Beginning with the March 2023 issue, Theresa Garee will publish Write Now Columbus!

Tami Kamin Meyer will remain involved and several new faces will join the team.

Together they will turn their vision into reality. Rather than badly summarize their ideas and plans, I’ll let Theresa, et al, share that in future emails.

Theresa is a business woman, an author, a wife, and a mom. She’s used to juggling wriggly things. I’m confident that WNC subscribers, and WNC itself, will be in good hands.

Thank you forever and always to Shannon Jackson Arnold for generously trusting me, more than twenty years ago, with the small but mighty email list that became Write Now Columbus.

Thank you to Tami for helping keep WNC alive for the past several years.

Thank you to each and every subscriber for more than two decades of interest, input, and support. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve you.

And thank you to Theresa for taking the risk to step into this role, and to the new folks she will introduce later.

With that, I’ll show myself out.

~ Nita
Nita Sweeney, retired publisher of WNC
(c) 2023, all rights reserved

 

 

 

 

The Future of Write Now Columbus

The Future of Write Now Columbus

by | Jan 3, 2023 | Blog, Write Now Columbus - Current Essay, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives


The Future of Write Now Columbus

 

Nita here, cutting to the chase.

 

After twenty years publishing Write Now Columbus, it’s time for me to step down and for a new publisher to step up.


Is This You?

The ideal Write Now Columbus (WNC) publisher is someone with strong central Ohio ties who runs a writer-centric business. It might be an editor, publisher, coach, or marketing expert who serves writers and readers.

Or, it might be a writer looking for a community service project. That’s how I began. I knew I would be able to publicize my own events and help other writers while doing so.

WordPress and email newsletter experience would help, but a passion for the central Ohio writing community is the main requirement. I can teach you the rest.

Full Disclosure

I’ve always considered WNC my “community service” project rather than a business. As a result, current expenses exceed donations and sponsorships. I will fully disclose all this information to anyone interested in taking on the work.

Tami Kamin Meyer, the WNC volunteer editor, is willing to continue to be involved. However, she’s not available to assume responsibility for the entire newsletter alone.

Bottom line:

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A GOOD FIT,
PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP!
What’s Next?

Tami and I will publish a February 2023 newsletter. After that, unless someone steps up, we will put it to bed.

Neither of us want Write Now Columbus to end, but it’s had a fabulous run. Twenty years is a long time!

On January 1st, 2003 when I sent the first issue of “Write Now,” the monthly email newsletter that would become Write Now Columbus, I had no idea how long I would continue. Shannon Jackson Arnold, the original publisher, graciously gave me her email list of central Ohio writers when she moved from Ohio to Wisconsin. Tami Kamin Meyer was on Shannon’s original email list.

In 2020, when I began to look for someone to take over WNC, Tami eagerly responded. My first book had been published and the second was in the works. I no longer had time or energy to manage Write Now Columbus effectively. Tami volunteered to write the essay, convinced me to accept sponsorships in addition to donations, and secured quite a few. I’m forever grateful to her!

And, of course, I’m grateful to each of YOU for opening and clicking and reading and replying month after month after month for TWENTY YEARS! Thank you for letting us be of service!

Why Now?

As some of you know, back in September of 2022, I had a cardiac episode. It has resolved, but there’s nothing like a serious medical issue to rearrange your priorities.

Plus, two decades is a long time to keep something going. Twenty has a nice ring to it. It seems like the perfect time to put a bow on my tenure.

To be honest, since 2018 when I entered a contract for my first book, I haven’t given WNC the attention it deserves. With my mental health issues, it takes every ounce of “work” energy I have to be a successful author, leaving little for WNC. Thank you again Tami for stepping in.

And, it hurts to see the untapped potential in WNC. It deserves fresh eyes and energy.

WE WILL NOW TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS

Please CONTACT US with any questions and we will do our best to answer them right away.

All my best,

~ Nita
Nita Sweeney, publisher
(c) 2023, all rights reserved
New podcast for freelance writers features longtime central Ohio journalist

New podcast for freelance writers features longtime central Ohio journalist

by | Nov 3, 2022 | Author Interviews, Blog, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives

By Tami Kamin Meyer

When central Ohio journalist and author Sherry Paprocki first met New York-based writer Estelle Erasmus in 2016, Paprocki had a plan for tapping into Erasmus’s incredible organizational and networking skills. Paprocki had just been elected president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and she eyed Erasmus to chair the organization’s next annual writer’s conference in New York City.

Erasmus accepted the challenge, but not before checking Paprocki’s sun sign to ensure the pair could work well together. “I got a kick out of that,” said Paprocki.

Paprocki has enjoyed a varied and successful freelance life, as has Erasmus. On January 3, 2022, Paprocki released her 15th book, Freelance Fancy: Your Guide to Capturing Spiritual Health, Wealth and Happiness from Gig Work.

For her part, Erasmus’s non-fiction book tapping into her years of experience as a magazine editor, author, and freelance writer will be published in 2023. The book, Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published is aimed at writers at all levels of their writing career.

A podcast was born

Not only was Paprocki’s latest book released on January 3, but Erasmus also happened to call her that same day to discuss the possibility of the two experts and friends hosting a podcast about freelance writing. After months of planning, the pair released the first episode of ‘Freelance Writing Direct’ on October 6. New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found on Spotify and iTunes, to name a few.

Still in its infancy, Freelance Writing Direct is quickly proving its popularity. It has already earned honors to be among the top 15% of new downloads in the podcast world.

In describing the podcast, Erasmus said the pair combines their years of experience writing about the craft, creating and implementing writing strategies and assessing their own writing and suggestions for viable article ideas and even book topics.

“Our goal, in general, is to educate anyone interested in a freelance writing career,” said Paprocki. The podcast’s target audience ranges from listeners just considering freelancing, people newly embarking on a freelance career to even the full-time writer.

The news literally hot off the presses is that Paprocki lured the publisher of the Dispatch Magazines, owned by Gannett Co., to join her decade-old PR firm, R.S. Rock Media, on Oct. 31. In making his announcement that he is leaving that top post, Ray Paprocki wrote of his excitement to be joining his wife’s journalistic venture.

A parting piece of advice

If Erasmus could offer freelance writers one tidbit of advice, it would be “Never give up! Writing is a marathon, not a race.” Paprocki urged freelance writers to understand their financial worth. “Value yourself as a writer: set a price and stick to it. If you have three or four years of writing experience, eliminate any job that’s not paying you at least $60 an hour because you are worth at least that much, and probably more.”

A moment with Columbus author Robin Yocum

A moment with Columbus author Robin Yocum

by | Oct 3, 2022 | Author Interviews, Blog, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives

A moment with Columbus author Robin Yocum

By Tami Kamin Meyer

Robin Yocum, an award-winning Columbus author, journalist and wordsmith attributes his ability to complete a variety of writing-related projects more to technology than old-school techniques.

Yocum says he wrote his latest novel, The Sacrifice of Lester Gates, “while I was driving, voice to text. Then I emailed it to myself. I will head down the road, put my earphones in and talk to the characters in my head.” The novel was released in 2021 by Arcade CrimeWise and was a finalist for the 2022 Dashiell Hammett Award for excellence in crime writing.

A journalism graduate of Bowling Green State University, the Brilliant, Ohio native is the author of ten novels. His book Favorite Sons was named the 2011 Book of the Year for Mystery/Suspense by USA Book News. Brilliant Death was a Barnes & Noble No. 1 bestseller and a finalist for both the 2017 Edgar Award and the Silver Falchion Award for best adult mystery. Yocum was a journalist with the Columbus Dispatch from 1980-1991, including six years as the senior reporter on the investigative desk. He has won more than 30 local, state and national journalism awards ranging from investigative reporting to feature writing. Prior to that, he was the associate sports editor at the Times Leader in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and a reporter for the Eagle-Gazette in Lancaster, Ohio. He is also the principal at Yocum Communications, a public relations and marketing consulting firm in Galena, Ohio, which he founded in 2001.

The Sacrifice of Lester Gates is the sequel for Favorite Sons.

“I always have something going on and try to write (at least) 500 words a day,” says Yocum. He recently completed his 11th novel and is in the process of finding an agent for the work.

“I’m excited about it,” he says of the fiction work about a mob hitman.

According to Yocum, writing novels has been a lifelong passion.

“In my heart of hearts, I always wanted to write fiction. I wanted to create uniquely and mine my own ideas, from my imagination, in my own words,” he says.

Yocum’s favorite aspect of being a writer is “the creativity.”

He explains that when he was younger, he needed a “creative outlet and the Dispatch was that. The writing was laborious, but never hard. No heavy lifting. I enjoy when I think I’ve created something pretty good. It doesn’t get old when my new books arrive in the mail and I rip the box open.”

His advice to would-be authors?

“If you’re not excited about a book, the reader will know.”

He also relies heavily on an old adage taught in journalism school. “Write about what you know. I’m going to stick to that,” he sums.

Discover more about Yocum at robinyocum.net.

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