
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 13, 2025 • 43min
34 - Dana Sacco and Bootstrapping Your Publishing Career with AI Tools
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we sit down with Dana Sacco, a businesswoman-turned-author who has mastered the art of bootstrapping her publishing career using AI tools. Dana shares how she transitioned from being an avid reader to a multi-genre author, all while leveraging affordable and innovative AI solutions like ChatGPT, Claude, and Ideogram to streamline her workflow. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Mar 6, 2025 • 47min
33 - The Rise of AI in Publishing with Jason Hamilton
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we sit down with Jason Hamilton, also known as The Nerdy Novelist, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the world of writing and publishing. Jason shares his journey from self-published author to YouTube sensation, offering insights into his favorite AI tools, his innovative 40 Chapter Plot Module, and practical strategies for integrating AI into every stage of the creative process. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
32 - Balancing Creativity, Systems, and Technology with Elana Johnson
In this engaging discussion, Elana Johnson, a prolific author known for her work under pen names like Liz Isaacson, dives into her unique journey of integrating AI into her writing process. She shares tips on using tools for organizing characters and creating evergreen content for social media, making writing not just efficient but fun! Elana also touches on balancing creativity with technology, refining her personal style through AI, and the importance of community in enhancing one’s writing journey. A treasure trove of insights for aspiring writers!

Feb 20, 2025 • 58min
31 - Creativity, AI, and Publishing with Derek Murphy
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we sit down with Derek Murphy — author, artist, and expert in creativity and publishing. From the history of creativity to the ways AI is transforming accessibility for authors, Derek shares interesting insights on how writers can embrace these tools to enhance their work while navigating the fears surrounding artificial intelligence. Whether you're curious about using AI for book drafts, designing covers, or turning video content into books, this conversation is packed with actionable tips and thought-provoking ideas. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Feb 13, 2025 • 43min
30 - Legalities, Workflows, and Transformative Use with Alicia Wright
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we’re joined by Alicia Wright, an IP attorney and science fiction author, to explore the legalities of AI in publishing and how authors can ethically and creatively use AI tools in their workflows. Alicia shares her expertise on copyright law, explains common myths about plagiarism and AI, and offers invaluable tips for integrating generative models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT O1, and Novelcrafter into your writing process. Whether you’re curious about fair use or looking to streamline your storytelling, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Feb 6, 2025 • 36min
29 - Writing Spicy with AI: A Conversation with Erica Bobrik
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we dive into the world of writing spicy content with AI alongside prolific author Erica Bobrik. With nearly 190 published titles across ten pen names, Erica shares her expert insights on leveraging AI tools to craft compelling stories, navigate boundaries in spicy scenes, and manage a diverse publishing career. From choosing the right AI models for specific tasks to treating AI as a collaborative partner, Erica offers invaluable tips for authors looking to enhance their workflow while staying true to their creative vision. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Jan 30, 2025 • 43min
28 - The Role of Community in AI-Driven Authorship
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas (Future Fiction Academy) and Danica Favorite (PublishDrive) discuss the vital role of community in navigating AI-driven authorship. They tackle important topics like overcoming fear of backlash for using AI, leveraging transcription tools to create valuable content, and finding your tribe in a rapidly evolving publishing landscape. With personal insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for authors looking to embrace technology while staying true to their creative process. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Dec 26, 2024 • 39min
27 - Looking Forward to 2025: AI, Publishing, and Big Dreams
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite dive into an inspiring end-of-year discussion on the evolving role of AI in publishing and their ambitious plans for 2025. From Steph’s vision of becoming an "AI-assisted studio" to Danica’s focus on using automation to create bandwidth for creativity, they share how authors can leverage AI tools to expand their storytelling potential and streamline their businesses. They also explore exciting trends like text-to-video technology, artificial general intelligence (AGI), and the ubiquity of embedded AI in everyday software. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Nov 21, 2024 • 37min
26 - Uniting Authors and AI: Marco Moutinho on Dibbly Create's Collaborative Platform
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Marco Moutinho, the innovative founder of Dibbly Create, which is revolutionizing collaboration between authors and freelancers. Marco shares his journey from software engineering to developing a platform that seamlessly integrates AI tools to enhance productivity while maintaining human creativity. Discover how this cutting-edge technology can empower writers at every stage of their creative process. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

Nov 14, 2024 • 43min
25 - Harnessing AI for Author Success with Lorna K. Bailey
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Lorna K. Bailey, an expert executive virtual assistant for authors, to explore how AI can be harnessed for author success. Lorna shares her insights on creating efficient workflows and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline administrative tasks, allowing authors to focus more on their creative endeavors. With practical advice on using Notion as a "second brain" and integrating AI into everyday processes, this episode is a must-listen for any author looking to enhance productivity and scale their business. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.