Brave New Bookshelf Episode 22: Merging Creativity and Business Acumen with Alice Briggs from Indie Author Magazine
In this episode, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite have an enlightening discussion with Alice Briggs, the creative director and co-founder of Indie Author Magazine. With a diverse background in indie author tools and training, Alice shares her insights on leveraging AI to transform the publishing landscape.
Alice Briggs is not just a creative director; she's a visionary in the indie author community. As co-founder of Indie Author Magazine, Indie Author Tools, and Indie Author Training, Alice has dedicated herself to filling industry gaps with innovative solutions. Her latest venture, Direct To Readers, aims to connect readers with books they'll love using a closed AI language model (LLM) tailored for personalized recommendations.
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Combining Creativity with Business Strategy
Alice emphasizes the importance of merging creativity with business acumen. At Indie Author Training, she offers courses that empower authors to think like entrepreneurs. The goal is to equip authors with the skills necessary to thrive financially while pursuing their passion for writing.
Enhancing Reader Discovery Through AI
One of Alice's most exciting projects is Direct To Readers, an AI-driven platform designed to help readers discover their next favorite book based on specific character types, settings, and tropes. This personalized approach goes beyond traditional genre categorization, offering a more tailored reading experience that benefits both readers and authors.
AI in Publishing
Alice uses AI primarily as a brainstorming tool and for automating repetitive tasks. She creates custom bots within ChatGPT to streamline processes like marketing ideation and manuscript analysis. By uploading her work into ChatGPT, she receives feedback comparable to that from human beta readers — an impressive testament to AI's evolving capabilities.
Kickstarter Success Story
Alice's innovative spirit extends beyond digital tools; she's also ventured into unique storytelling methods. Her recent Kickstarter project involved delivering a novel through letters mailed over 12 weeks — a concept inspired by her protagonist's artistic journey in the UK. This creative endeavor funded within 24 hours and highlights how diverse storytelling formats can captivate audiences.
Conclusion: Business and Technology Together
Alice Briggs exemplifies how embracing technology can enhance both creative expression and business efficiency in the publishing world. By integrating AI into various aspects of her work — from reader engagement to manuscript development —she sets a precedent for modern authorship.
For more insights from this episode or details about upcoming courses at Indie Author Training, visit IndieAuthorMagazine.com or IndieAuthorTraining.com. You can also explore Alice's personal projects at AABriggs.com.
Visit the Brave New Bookshelf website to access the full episode notes, links to the tools mentioned, and a complete transcript of the conversation.