Brave New Bookshelf Episode 31: Creativity, AI, & Publishing With Derek Murphy

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite spoke with Derek Murphy, a creative polymath and thought leader in AI and publishing. With his unique background as an artist, author, and academic, Derek shared fascinating insights into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in creativity, storytelling, and accessibility.

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Meet Derek Murphy: Author, Artist, and Advocate for Accessible Creativity

Derek Murphy is no stranger to the creative arts. Holding a PhD in literature and boasting decades of experience as a visual artist and writer, he possesses a deep understanding of storytelling structure and artistic craft. Beyond his own creative endeavors, Derek has dedicated years to helping indie authors enhance their books through better story structure, cover design, and marketing strategies.

What sets Derek apart is his pragmatic approach to creativity. He believes AI can democratize access to creative tools, empowering individuals—regardless of budget or skill level—to bring their ideas to life. However, he also acknowledges concerns about AI’s impact on creativity and human identity. Throughout our discussion, Derek unpacked these fears while providing practical ways authors can use AI to enhance their work.

The History of Creativity: From Hubris to AI

One of the most intriguing topics in our conversation was Derek’s historical perspective on creativity. For much of human history, creativity was viewed with suspicion—something external or even dangerous that required control. It wasn’t until the Enlightenment that creativity became celebrated as a fundamental part of human identity.

Derek connected this shift to modern debates about AI-generated content. Just as earlier societies feared unchecked human creativity, many people today worry that AI will devalue or replace uniquely human expression. Yet history shows us that every technological leap—from photography influencing painting to typewriters changing writing—has reshaped art without erasing its value.

A particularly compelling example Derek shared was John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which Milton dictated while blind. Without a transcriber, this literary masterpiece might never have existed—a parallel to how AI tools now assist modern creators facing barriers like time constraints or disabilities.

Addressing Fear: Will AI Replace Human Creativity?

Derek emphasized that much of the fear around AI stems from an identity crisis among creators. Writers often tie their self-worth to their ability to produce original work. When faced with tools that can replicate certain aspects of creativity—such as generating text or images—it can feel threatening.

However, Derek argued that separating “creativity” from “skill” is essential. Writing a compelling book isn’t just about inspiration; it’s also about mastering technical elements like plot structure and pacing. For those struggling with these aspects (or simply short on time), AI offers an opportunity to level up their work without replacing their unique voice.

For example:

• Nonfiction: Derek uses AI transcription tools to turn hours of video content into books or condensed social media posts.
• Fiction: While he still writes most novels himself, Derek sees potential in training AI models on his style to draft future installments in his series more efficiently.

Ultimately, he views AI not as a replacement but as an assistant—a tool that helps creators do more with less effort.

Democratizing Publishing: Accessibility Through AI

A recurring theme in this discussion was how AI lowers barriers for aspiring authors:

• Cost: Tools like ChatGPT or Claude Projects offer affordable alternatives to hiring editors or ghostwriters.
• Efficiency: Tasks like proofreading—once costly and time-consuming—can now be handled by AI with incredible accuracy.
• Inclusivity: From dictation software for those with disabilities to visual tools like Ideogram for DIY book covers, AI ensures more people can participate in publishing regardless of resources.

Derek highlighted how these advancements mirror past technological shifts—such as the advent of impressionism in painting—which democratized access to art-making while challenging traditional notions of skill and value.

Practical Applications: Using AI Across Creative Projects

During our chat, Derek shared several practical ways authors can incorporate AI into their workflows:

• Turning Video Content Into Books: Derek uses transcription tools like Loom to convert his lectures into text. With AI models trained on his writing style, he transforms these transcripts into polished book drafts—saving time and effort.
• Blogging With Style: To revive his blog (Creativindie), Derek trained an AI model on his past posts, allowing it to generate new content in his voice. This helps him share insights regularly without sacrificing time for larger projects like novels or courses.
• Improving Fiction Drafts: While he hasn’t fully embraced AI for fiction yet, Derek sees potential in feeding outlines into trained models for first drafts, especially when working on ambitious series with multiple installments.
• Designing Book Covers: For authors who can’t afford professional designers (often $500+), tools like Midjourney and Ideogram offer viable DIY alternatives capable of producing high-quality visuals, including typography—a feature missing from earlier-generation image generators.

You can explore more of Derek’s work at Creativindie, his main platform featuring blogs on writing tips, publishing strategies, and more!

For more insights from this episode, visit the podcast website.