In an astonishing feat of creativity and productivity, science fiction writer Tim Boucher has shared his experience of crafting approximately 100 books within a remarkable span of nine months. Unlike traditional authors who dedicate months or even years to complete a single book, Boucher employed the assistance of advanced Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and MidJourney to achieve this extraordinary milestone.
Embarking on his high-tech venture into the realm of AI-assisted publishing in August 2022, Boucher found himself armed solely with his vivid imagination and a handful of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. With no predefined map or guide, his mission was clear: to produce a series of distinctive and captivating ebooks that merged dystopian pulp sci-fi with compelling AI-driven world-building. Astonishingly, within a mere nine months, Boucher now stands on the precipice of releasing his 97th book, earning him recent recognition on CNN.
Boucher has coined his literary collection “AI Lore books.” Each book encompasses a word count ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 words, accompanied by 40 to 140 AI-generated images. The author unveiled that, on average, it takes him approximately six to eight hours to write and publish each book. Remarkably, some of his books have materialized within a mere three hours.
“This unprecedented rate of production is made possible by AI tools such as Midjourney (version 5.1) for image generation, ChatGPT (version 4), and Anthropic’s Claude for brainstorming and text generation,” Tim Boucher detailed in a recent article for Newsweek. Furthermore, he disclosed that from August 2022 to May 2023, he successfully sold 574 books, generating an approximate revenue of $2,000 (equivalent to INR 1,65,143). Boucher attributes the interconnected nature of his stories as a driving force that entices readers to return for more.
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Boucher attributes his ability to materialize the stories that have long been brewing in his mind to the utilization of AI. “AI has proven to be an extraordinary catalyst for my creative work. It has not only bolstered my productivity while maintaining consistent quality but has also enabled me to delve into intricate world-building with an efficiency that would have otherwise been unattainable. The narratives and universes that have been percolating within me for years have now sprung to life. Additionally, I have even employed AI to aid in coding mini-applications that will further streamline and expedite the creative process in the future,” he explained in the article.
Addressing the transformative potential of AI in our lives and its potential impact on job displacement, Boucher expressed a contrary viewpoint. “Rather than supplanting creative professions, I perceive AI as a potent tool that enhances and accelerates our capabilities, rendering us more proficient in our respective endeavors. I firmly believe that the intersection of AI and storytelling harbors immense possibilities, and I am eagerly anticipating the next phase of this journey. Our imagination is the sole limitation,” he concluded optimistically.
