There’s been a lot of chat recently about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and infringement of the copyright of authors. It’s a serious matter, more so, probably, in the non-fiction and journalism space.
While I can’t imagine AI learning much from my novels, which I would describe as ‘entertainments’, I’m warning any potential miscreants away from work. I thought I’d post a guardian over my work that might act as a deterrent.
Isn’t this a magnificent animal? And before you go accusing me of breaching copyright on another photographer’s image, the image is mine. I took this photo at Taronga’s Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW, in October, 2022. The lion, king of his domain, posed beautifully for me.
Writing books for a living
Recently, I’ve delved deeper into the economics of writing, especially books. I say books because I want to be clear I’m not thinking about journalists in this context. I’ve often wondered about the economics of spending seven years on a book (not uncommon for major non-fiction titles). Is all that effort financially rewarding at the end? I hope so.
Well-known writer Nicholas Shakespeare reveals something of this financial juggling act on a recent interview for the podcast Always Take Notes. His latest book, on the life of James Bond author Ian Fleming was a taxing and time-consuming enterprise that he hope would justify his investment of time and commitment of his undoubted talent. This and and other podcasts in this excellent series are worth a listen.
I never sought to make a living from writing, of course, (except if you count being publisher of Australian Defence Magazine and responsible for publishing other people’s writing) but for those who do, it can be a struggle. Or at least an uncertain business.
Which brings me back to my original theme: creating words on the page – meaningful words on the page – takes effort, experience, knowledge and skill. None of us do it to enable AI to get better at emulating what we do. Copyright is a precious protection but easily violated by the unscrupulous.
To check out my books, go to https://www.jmarymasters.com
There is a generous amount of free reading available for each of my books. My positioning statement should be used as a guide: Writing engaging stories for women readers. I could, perhaps, have said ‘mature women readers’.
A very dear friend of my (male) called me recently asking advice about a work matter and told me his wife had read my latest books (and loved them). Then he apologised profusely for not having read them himself.
My response: ‘Don’t worry, G…. My husband hasn’t read them either!’
‘Bye for now.
For the love of writing & books 
Its interesting that you use actual places for your novels. I used the old farm Mum and dad farmed back in the fifties as background for the first and 2nd novel. I transposed the valley to the a loacale near Kyogle in the first novel and the New England Tablelands for the second.
I used Balmain where my father in law grew up as the background for my third novel. I embellished the setting in this one by putting a pier with a warehouse on it in Mort Bay. All the old ship building and industrial complex that was there is gone now. In fact HMAS Deloraine was manufactured there and launched in 1941.
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I find readers respond well to recognising landmarks – and in fact I believe it creates a more believable storyline. Mind you, I did have someone ask if I’d written the history of a particular family – I had to point out it was all fiction. I find my readers become very engaged by the characters. I see from your LinkedIn profile you had a Defence background. My husband started work (Dept of Navy) in 1966 at Garden Island, Sydney. An of course after his Defence career we leveraged that experience into launching Australian Defence Magazine, which is still going strong. Good luck with your work – what’s your website?
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