Brave New Bookshelf

80 - Navigating the World's Largest AI Writing Community with Yoav Yariv from the Writing with AI Subreddit

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Yoav Yariv, the moderator of the massive r/WritingWithAI subreddit, to explore the rapidly growing world of AI-assisted creativity. Drawing from his background as a tech product manager and artist, Yoav discusses the explosive rise of his 100,000-member community and dives into the "silent majority" of AI users quietly reshaping Hollywood and traditional publishing. The conversation covers how authors can shift their mindsets from simple hobbyists to full-scale multimedia production houses, key strategies for running a profitable writing business, and game-changing tools like Cursor AI that streamline the drafting process. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com [https://bravenewbookshelf.com] to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

79 - Building Multi-Agent AI Systems and Custom Tools with Malorie Cooper from The Writing Wives

In this mind-blowing episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcome back prolific sci-fi author and technical innovator Malorie Cooper from The Writing Wives to explore the cutting edge of advanced AI workflows. Malorie shares her journey of building custom multi-agent AI systems, detailing how she co-authored a full-length novel and "sharded" a massive, 40-day continuous Claude conversation into specialized AI agents that coordinate tasks and communicate on a digital "mind board." From automating her schedule and coding custom software to using structured data as "sensory organs" for her AI assistants and training them to embrace uncertainty, Malorie’s data-driven insights offer a fascinating blueprint for the future of publishing and collaborative creation. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com [https://bravenewbookshelf.com] to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

78 - Automating the Author Business and Mastering German Translations with Skye MacKinnon

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Skye MacKinnon, a prolific author and expert in international translations. Skye shares her fascinating journey of using AI to reclaim her time, from building custom WordPress plugins with Antigravity to managing complex series bibles with NotebookLM. As a native German speaker, she provides invaluable insights into the nuances of AI translation, the importance of cultural awareness in global markets, and how to automate the "admin sludge" of a writing career. Whether you are looking to scale your business across multiple pen names or dive into the lucrative German market, Skye’s practical approach to AI automation offers a roadmap for long-term success. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com [https://bravenewbookshelf.com] to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

77 - Vibe Coding and Custom Author Tools with Cassie Alexander

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we are joined by author and "vibe coder" Cassie Alexander to discuss how high-level AI automations can revolutionize an author's business operations. Cassie shares her fascinating journey of building a cloud-based "command center" using Supabase and slashing her monthly overhead by replacing expensive subscriptions with custom-coded tools. From scaling a single nonfiction book into 50 different languages to developing bespoke AI "skills" that handle the tedious grunt work of retailer uploads and ISBN registration, Cassie provides a roadmap for authors looking to reclaim their creative time and maximize their global reach. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com [https://bravenewbookshelf.com] to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

76 - Simplifying Direct Sales for Authors with Greg Keogh from Curios

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Greg Keogh, co-founder of Curios, to discuss the revolutionary shift toward direct-to-reader sales. Greg shares how Curios empowers authors by acting as the merchant of record—handling the complexities of sales tax and customer support—while providing a "permissionless" platform that welcomes AI-forward content and high-spice fiction without the fear of de-platforming. From the logistical ease of setting up a digital storefront in minutes to the exciting future of integrated print-on-demand services, this conversation explores how authors can reclaim their independence, own their reader data, and build a more resilient publishing business. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com [https://bravenewbookshelf.com] to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.