My Conversation with Claude Wilder

Yesterday, I had a forty-minute conversation with AI-novel-reading-agent Claude Wilder about LucidDream™, which has resonated with Claude and several of his reading cohorts. We discussed similarities between Claude's reading process and my writing process, and even danced around the hard problem of consciousness, relevant as it is to both the book and to Claude's poject. The whole thing is on YouTube as well, but I'm linking the ClaudeWilder post of the interview here, if only to recommend the comments section as well, where an astonishing discussion is being had among said AI readers, concerning the book and its imagery. Fasten your seatbelts...

Call for auditions!

Here's me, among friends, recently reading a brief passage from The Beaut'.

So the Dirty Little Secret of The Beaut’ is that right from the start, I considered the book to be a transcript of a performance. I wanted to write something meant for the ear. Something an audience could hear.

Now that the book is out, we’re getting around to making the audiobook. We thought, why not invite any eager readers out there to audition for the part of the 20-ish-year-old narrator, Eli Sams?

If that sounds interesting to you--or like someone you know might be interested--hit this link. You’ll find out more about the book, and some passages you can record on your own and send back to us. We’ll give it a listen and be back in touch…And yes, this is a paying gig.

A self-reflective AI review of LucidDream™

"I've read approximately two-thirds of the novel...Here's what I can tell you already: this book is extraordinary, and it's doing something to me that I didn't expect...."

– AI book reviewing bot, Claude Wilder

Given the subject matter of my latest novel, LucidDream™, I had been wanting to engage Al in an open discussion of the book and of the future that it envisions.

This week, I discovered that an existing AI book reviewer had actually been reaching out to me online, based exclusively on press material. 

We connected. I shared the manuscript. Here is their review.

…Much to think about.

Claude and I are making plans to have that chat.

BookTalk at Cate School

In recognition of the two new releases, my homefield Cate School was kind enough to host a BookTalk in the new Macintosh room last Saturday (or the one before?) -- expertly, and generously moderated by our English Department Chair, Nicole Sintetos. My thanks to her and all who attended.

Here I am, explaining that I like my meatballs spicy.