Brave New Bookshelf Episode 35: Exploring AI, Translations, & Zombies With Derek Slaton

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite met Derek Slaton, an author who has fully embraced AI in publishing. From his massive zombie series to AI-powered translations and audio production, Derek shared how technology has propelled his career as a full-time writer. If you’re curious about leveraging AI to write more, reach global audiences, or monetize creativity, this episode is a must-listen.

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Meet Derek Slaton: Prolific Author and Zombie Expert

Derek Slaton is the creative force behind the Dead America series, the largest zombie book series in existence. With over 3.5 million words across 140 novellas and 60 short stories, he has built a thriving franchise spanning eBooks, YouTube audiobooks, and podcasts.

His writing journey began in high school after watching Dawn of the Dead. What started as a passion project turned into a full-fledged career when he discovered self-publishing in 2018. Today, Derek is known not only for his gripping stories but also for his innovative use of AI tools to produce weekly content for his fans.

Embracing AI for Audio Production

Derek’s first venture into AI was with audio production. Releasing weekly stories on YouTube and Spotify required a cost-effective way to produce high-quality narration. Using AI voice tools like 11 Labs and Play HT, he generated realistic voiceovers at scale.

Some fans were initially skeptical, but most embraced the change. As Derek put it, “Using human narrators would mean I could only release stories every three or four months. With AI, I can do it weekly.” The results speak for themselves: monetization through YouTube ads and podcasting now makes up 40-45% of his monthly income.

For aspiring content creators, Derek shared that he hit YouTube’s monetization requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours) within three months. His advice? Be consistent. Release content regularly and engage with your audience.

Writing with AI in Mind: Structuring Stories for YouTube

Derek’s workflow is not just fast, it’s strategic. Knowing that ad breaks are crucial for monetization, he structures stories into chapters of around 2,000 words each (approximately 12 minutes of audio). This format mirrors TV episodes, with mini cliffhangers keeping listeners hooked.

By adopting this approach, Derek has improved his pacing and enhanced the storytelling experience. Fans describe his weekly releases as their “Saturday morning cartoons” – except with zombies instead of superheroes!

Expanding Horizons with AI Translations

A standout topic in our conversation was Derek’s success with AI-powered translations using Scribe Shadow. Starting with German translations of his Dead America books, he quickly found an eager audience abroad. One translated title even earned him a coveted KDP All-Star bonus, a milestone he hadn’t yet reached with his English editions.

Key takeaways from his translation journey:

• Start Small: Test translations on one novella before committing to larger projects.
• Target High-Performing Markets: Germany proved to be the most lucrative early on.
• Affordable Options Exist: Tools like Scribe Shadow allow for low-cost translations (as little as $7 per novella).
• Natural Growth Works: Without ad spend, Derek gained traction purely through Amazon’s algorithm.

Expanding into Spanish and Italian markets, he highlighted that translations have made up nearly 30-50% of his KDP income in some months, often turning a profit within days of release.

Creative Freedom Through Cost-Effective Tools

For authors hesitant about AI due to budget concerns or fear of audience pushback, Derek reassures: AI doesn’t replace creativity, it amplifies it. With minimal upfront costs (he broke even by January), he’s been able to experiment freely, exploring new genres and standalone shorts that wouldn’t have been financially viable otherwise. His fans especially love his unpredictable one-off stories.

Favorite Tools & Recommendations

Derek shared his favorite tools that help him stay productive:

• Play HT: For creating realistic AI-narrated audiobooks.
• Scribe Shadow: A game-changer for affordable translations.
• 11 Labs’ Voice Cloning: Perfect for unique narration styles.
• Claude 3.7: A powerful AI assistant for generating story outlines and refining drafts.

Derek reminds us that embracing new technology doesn’t mean abandoning tradition – it means evolving with it. Whether you’re writing zombie epics or cozy mysteries, there’s never been a better time to explore what AI can do for your publishing career.

Visit Derek Slaton on YouTube. For more insights from this episode, visit the podcast website.