We do, actually--we've had blogs, videos, and ongoing discussions for years about it. And that's why we are completely, utterly clear about the fact that we use it. We find that people are choosing 'sides' in this very complex topic without digging into the processes, or the various methods of usage, and not asking questions. So we stay out of the battle, and make our use of it clear, so people can decide for themselves to work with us (or not) or buy our books (or not). You are free to not offer us your patronage, as we are free to use the tool.
Of course AI is problematic. It is constantly used to make awful Voice Overs (unlike this one above, which was done by an acutal human weirdo with actual acting and stuff). It is used to generate terrible, soulless writing, and search engines use it to generate un-asked-for answers to internet searches that bear no resemblence to reality. That said....when a real artist uses it to create elements for original art, that's a differenct thing. It's one thing to have AI barf out some "art" from a prompt and just slap it on a cover, it's another thing to work with AI over several iterations to get just the right tone and composition, then use Photoshop or Illustrator (Oh noes! More algorithms!) to make adjustments, fix artifacts, and generally perfect the bones of a piece of art. How far back do we want to push this? No digital art allowed, only watercolors and oil paintings? How about dissallowing anybody who licensed stock images for their cover? AI is a tool like anything else, just with a bigger potential for fraud. Rac Press has always been up front about their cover art, which is top notch how ever it was done.
Dragoncon... you done screwed up. I think I'm gonna buy this just for this ad alone! Man! Laughing my ass off! My doctor will be so happy I lost weight laughing at this.
Since I haven't voted yet, I'll have to leave the Book Cover illustration award blank. It's a shame, but the Dragoncon staff screwed the pool on this one, and disqualified their own award.
Going forward, if they have limitations on what books, art, or games may be nominated they have to state what the limits are up front. Might be a good idea to do so, transparently, in the light of day - artist have to say what models they're using to train their AI tools. Fair dinkum.
But unless the DragonCon fandom themselves all reject AI art or AI-assisted art, that awards team needs to be fumigated, stat.
I hope there is a Goblin Market 2 in 2026. I've revised my submission and would like to try again. But also I purchased the book as soon as it was published and greatly enjoyed the other authors' work, and think there is more to mine there.
We do, actually--we've had blogs, videos, and ongoing discussions for years about it. And that's why we are completely, utterly clear about the fact that we use it. We find that people are choosing 'sides' in this very complex topic without digging into the processes, or the various methods of usage, and not asking questions. So we stay out of the battle, and make our use of it clear, so people can decide for themselves to work with us (or not) or buy our books (or not). You are free to not offer us your patronage, as we are free to use the tool.
This response right here is one of many reasons why I like you guys.
Let the puritans do what they will, we've got books to write!
Of course AI is problematic. It is constantly used to make awful Voice Overs (unlike this one above, which was done by an acutal human weirdo with actual acting and stuff). It is used to generate terrible, soulless writing, and search engines use it to generate un-asked-for answers to internet searches that bear no resemblence to reality. That said....when a real artist uses it to create elements for original art, that's a differenct thing. It's one thing to have AI barf out some "art" from a prompt and just slap it on a cover, it's another thing to work with AI over several iterations to get just the right tone and composition, then use Photoshop or Illustrator (Oh noes! More algorithms!) to make adjustments, fix artifacts, and generally perfect the bones of a piece of art. How far back do we want to push this? No digital art allowed, only watercolors and oil paintings? How about dissallowing anybody who licensed stock images for their cover? AI is a tool like anything else, just with a bigger potential for fraud. Rac Press has always been up front about their cover art, which is top notch how ever it was done.
You have lost me ever picking up your stuff.
It's true that everyone is entitled to an opinion.
However, this post is ridiculous.
And you obviously do not understand why stealth rules applied whenever it suits the judges and nowhere else are a problem.
You had me going there for a second there.
I wish it was a mite clearer as to whom, exactly, I was responding.
For clarity sake, I was lampooning Mssr Cargill there
Sorry!
It's only an issue in the eyes of people who 1. don't understand AI, 2. don't understand art, and 3. don't understand what the function of a cover is.
Dragoncon... you done screwed up. I think I'm gonna buy this just for this ad alone! Man! Laughing my ass off! My doctor will be so happy I lost weight laughing at this.
This is just Cave Johnson level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt6iTwVIiMM
A voiceover with background music! Truly, with such wonders, who could resist the allure of… the Verboten Anthology!
Loved this! And yup-now I want the book!
Oh, my goodness. This is priceless!
WHAT?? Oh, NO THEY DIDN’T!
Mike is NUTS; No wonder he fits right in!
This is AMAZING!
This was fantastic! Mike, you are a voice-over gem!!
Aw shucks. And thanks!
So, are you picking condiments or the cheese upgrade for the sandwich?
Since I haven't voted yet, I'll have to leave the Book Cover illustration award blank. It's a shame, but the Dragoncon staff screwed the pool on this one, and disqualified their own award.
Going forward, if they have limitations on what books, art, or games may be nominated they have to state what the limits are up front. Might be a good idea to do so, transparently, in the light of day - artist have to say what models they're using to train their AI tools. Fair dinkum.
But unless the DragonCon fandom themselves all reject AI art or AI-assisted art, that awards team needs to be fumigated, stat.
The sensible path is for them to remove the category next year since there is no way to reliably police it, but don't count on people being sensible.
Obviously, it was struck due to the total lack of ursine representation.
And rightly so. Bigot. And here we thought Cedar was a bear-friend.
Medron Pryde... a name I remember from the Battletech chat forums? Nah... can't be...
I remember this fight when musicians started including samplings from previous music.
You had to take a side. It was either "new music incorporating the old!", or it was theft.
IIRC, there was no actual correct answer.
Really what’s happened to your writers is criminal.
Has Cedar Sanderson heard of, or read the poem "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti?" Should be included.
The audio for this post was the advertisement in the 9/25/2024 episode of WriterDojo.
Yup, snagged right off our post! We love the Writer Dojo gang. :)
I hope there is a Goblin Market 2 in 2026. I've revised my submission and would like to try again. But also I purchased the book as soon as it was published and greatly enjoyed the other authors' work, and think there is more to mine there.