Brave New Bookshelf Episode 51: Building a Multimedia Empire: Novae Caelum on AI and Diverse Narratives

In this week’s episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with the visionary Novae Caelum—a trailblazing author and creative technologist whose work pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Known for their rich and inclusive worlds of queer, trans, and non-binary sci-fi and romantasy, Novae has been a published author since 2014 and is now pioneering the use of AI in video production to transform written stories into cinematic experiences.

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The Vision Behind AI-Driven Storytelling

After stepping into self-publishing four years ago, Novae began exploring how artificial intelligence could bridge the gap between books and the screen. Their goal? To empower creators to bring their stories to life visually, affordably, and authentically. Using AI tools like Runway, Novae began experimenting with converting narratives into film-like visuals—turning imagination into motion while centering joyful, representative stories for queer and diverse audiences.

Now, Novae is taking that vision even further by building a production studio through their own LLC, aiming to create high-quality feature films, TV series, and other multimedia adaptations.

Creating a Multimedia Empire

Novae’s ambitions go beyond their own catalog. They envision a future where AI supports a fully connected creative ecosystem—one that includes books, films, audio dramas, and other formats. This model allows for licensing and adapting stories from multiple creators, ensuring that diverse and inclusive content thrives in every medium.

By integrating AI into every step of the creative process, from writing and worldbuilding to video production and marketing, Novae demonstrates how technology can expand—not replace—human creativity.

Facing the Challenges of AI with Optimism

Not all journeys come without resistance. Novae acknowledges ongoing debates around AI, particularly within the queer creative community. They highlight that while AI models still reflect existing biases, progress comes through thoughtful, ethical use and advocacy for inclusive training data. For Novae, AI isn’t a threat—it’s a chance to democratize creativity and make storytelling more accessible to everyone.

Tools Powering Novae’s Creative Process

Novae’s AI toolkit covers nearly every aspect of production and storytelling:

• Plot Drive – For writing, research, and film development
• Gemini and ChatGPT – For ideation, planning, and strategy
• Veo 3 – A cornerstone for generating video content
• Midjourney and Ideogram – For cover design and visual assets
• Suno – For composing original music and soundscapes
• DaVinci Resolve – For professional-grade video editing
• ElevenLabs – For audio narration and voiceovers

Lessons from Novae’s Journey

• Use AI to level the creative playing field.
• Build a multi-format storytelling ecosystem that reaches wider audiences.
• Cultivate a community around innovation through social media and authenticity.
• Keep exploring new tools—experimentation fuels progress.
• Focus on joyful, representative storytelling that uplifts underrepresented voices.

Explore More

• Novae Caelum’s Website
• Novae’s Kickstarter – The King’s Weaver: A Queer and Trans Romantasy Show
• AI Marketing for Storytellers