Brave New Bookshelf

Brave New Bookshelf

Are you intrigued by the fusion of technology and creativity? Does the potential of AI in reshaping the narrative of storytelling fascinate you? Then Brave New Bookshelf is just the podcast for you! Hosted by authors Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite, each episode takes you on a journey through the dynamic intersection of AI and literature. From the way AI is revolutionizing the creative process of writing and publishing, to its ethical use in augmenting the human touch in storytelling, our candid discussions and expert interviews debunk myths and uncover the groundbreaking role of AI in the literary world. Whether you're an author, reader, or technophile, join us for insightful talks, practical tips, and a shared exploration of this exciting frontier. Tune into Brave New Bookshelf and be a part of the conversation that's shaping the future of books. RSSVERIFY

Episodes

April 23, 2026 41 mins

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, Phil Marshall and Stacy Smith Rogers from Spoken join us to explore the cutting edge of AI-generated audiobooks and multi-voice narration. Phil and Stacy share insights into Spoken’s "human-centric" approach to digital storytelling, highlighting their innovative "pay when perfect" model and the upcoming MV2 release designed to bring cinematic, multicast quality to indie authors at a fraction ...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Robin Johnson of Florida Girl Design to explore the evolving landscape of AI-augmented graphic design. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Robin shares her journey from initial skepticism to becoming a certified AI creator, explaining how she uses tools like Midjourney, Ideogram, and Nano Banana to solve complex visual proble...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we're joined by author and educator Susan Gable to discuss the vital intersection of critical thinking and generative AI. Drawing from her innovative work with Stossel in the Classroom, Susan shares the results of a fascinating "AI Challenge" experiment that moved beyond banning AI to instead requiring students to use it as a Socratic partner, highlighting why the "human in the loop" is more ...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we are joined by fantasy author Amy Campbell to explore the surprising ways AI can assist authors in the physical world. Amy shares her "boots on the ground" experience using ChatGPT’s vision capabilities to design an optimized table layout for a recent convention, ensuring maximum visual appeal and customer flow in a limited space. Beyond aesthetics, the discussion delves into using AI for d...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Jay Rosenkrantz, co-founder of Plot Drive, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the novelist’s workflow. Jay shares his fascinating journey from professional poker and screenwriting to building an AI-powered workspace that helps authors manage complex story contexts and break through creative blocks. They dive into the results of a unique ...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Cassie Alexander—a veteran author, nurse, and AI pioneer—to discuss the undeniable parallels between technological shifts in healthcare and the publishing industry. Cassie shares her unfiltered journey of navigating intense "anti-AI" backlash, explaining how she utilized the "Streisand Effect" to turn online criticism into a boost for her ...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Tanya Hales, a classically trained illustrator and the visionary founder of the AI Art for Authors Facebook group. Tanya shares her fascinating journey of integrating generative AI into her professional workflow, illustrating how tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT can act as a powerful "art assistant" for world-building, "photo bashing" boo...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Kimberly Gordon, the Director of the Ink and Code Society at Future Fiction Academy, to explore her revolutionary "story is code" philosophy. Kimberly shares her unique journey from a military and IT background to becoming a prolific fantasy author, explaining how she leverages coding applications like Antigravity and advanced features lik...

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In this episode, we welcome back prolific author and entrepreneur Dana Sacco to discuss her thriving new business venture, First Drafts. Dana reveals the technical secrets behind her "codexes"—comprehensive story bibles and outlines built using an intricate 50-prompt automation workflow in N8N—and explains how she uses tools like Antigravity and K-Lytics to ensure every story is market-ready. From managing high-demand flash sales t...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with award-winning author and mentor Coral Hart to discuss the "tsunami of change" currently hitting the publishing industry. Following a high-profile feature in the New York Times, Coral opens up about the intense backlash she’s faced and why she remains a steadfast advocate for using AI as a "ninja tool" to accelerate the creative workflow wi...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by epic fantasy author and publishing professional Melinda Kucsera to explore the visual side of the AI revolution. Melinda discusses her method of hybrid cover design, revealing how she blends traditional 3D rendering and digital painting with AI tools like NightCafe and Ideogram to create captivating artwork for her novels. From generating ...

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Join hosts Steph Pajonas of Future Fiction Academy and Danica Favorite of Publish Drive for a candid and insightful exploration of the practical and philosophical sides of AI. In this episode, they move beyond sensationalist headlines to discuss how AI acts as a vital auxiliary tool in personal wellness, professional coaching, and creative workflows, while discussing common myths regarding "stolen data" and the impact of technology...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, Jessica Waldron of The Invisible Pen joins Steph and Danica to share her journey from writer's block to AI-powered writing, offering practical tips, workflow strategies, and insights into experimenting with different AI models, even for spicy content. She also provides recommendations for budget-friendly AI tools and resources to help new authors get started. Visit our website https://bravene...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite discuss the groundbreaking world of agentic AI and its transformative impact on the author's workflow in 2026. They explore cutting-edge tools like Google's Antigravity and Notion AI, highlighting how these technologies are empowering authors to streamline their processes, from brainstorming and research to editing and publishing, while maintaining thei...

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In this episode, we welcome Russell Nohelty to explore how authors can leverage AI for empowerment, not replacement. Russell shares insights into his innovative "Russell Bot" from Hapitalist, designed to provide personalized support, and his work with Plot Drive, a writing software that helps authors break through creative blocks. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and ap...

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Unlock global markets and connect with readers worldwide using AI-powered translations! Join us as we chat with Marisa of ScribeShadow about making translation accessible and affordable for authors. Discover the most popular languages for translation, the accuracy of AI models, and how to leverage global marketing trends to expand your reach. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and ...

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This week on Brave New Bookshelf, we welcomed the brilliant Kanika Bailey for an eye-opening discussion on maximizing your author career, especially with the strategic use of AI. Kanika dives deep into her unique approach of treating pen names as valuable, sellable digital businesses, explaining how authors can leverage platforms like Flippa and Empire Flippers to generate significant cash flow — even six-figure sums — ...

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In this inspiring episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcome Lorna Mackie, a tech professional, author, and strategist, who sheds light on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing authorship by making it more accessible. Lorna shares her personal journey and professional insights into using AI to overcome challenges like brain fog and limited energy, demonstrating how these tools empower a...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcome back Jill Cooper from The Writing Wives. Jill shares her insights on using AI as a project management tool, particularly in crafting her cozy LitRPG fantasy series and managing Kickstarter campaigns. She also examines the use of AI for creating effective Facebook ads, emphasizing the importance of understanding reader demographics and tropes. Vi...

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In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, co-hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Alessandra Torre and JD Lasica from Authors AI. The discussion centers around Marlowe, their innovative AI tool that provides authors with developmental editor-level feedback to refine manuscripts and unlock their bestseller potential. With insights into how Marlowe works and real-world applications from the hosts, this episode is a mus...

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