77 - Vibe Coding and Custom Author Tools with Cassie Alexander

In this special duo episode of Brave New Bookshelf, co-hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite team up to discuss the realities of navigating today’s AI-powered publishing landscape. Together, they explore how authors can stand out in a deluge of digital content by staying authentically human, while also tackling the critical ethics of AI disclosure and maintaining personal integrity with retailers. Steph and Danica share their personal AI-assisted workflows, comparing the strengths of models like Gemini and ChatGPT, and dive into a practical comparison of desktop subscriptions like Claude Pro versus API-based pay-as-you-go tools like TypingMind to reclaim your creative time. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Anat Dayagi, the founder of Midsummerr, to discuss the revolutionary frontier of AI-driven cinematic audiobooks. Anat shares her personal journey with ADD and how it inspired her to create Midsummerr, a cutting-edge platform that democratizes premium, multi-cast dramatized audio productions complete with sound effects, musical leitmotifs, and an AI-driven "agentic director." Listeners will discover how indie authors can now easily produce high-end, immersive listening experiences once reserved for major publishing houses, explore the power of audio personalization through stems, and learn how to leverage AI tools to scale their creative workflows. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with bestselling author and CEO of Novel Publicity, Melissa Storm, to explore her fascinating transition from an AI skeptic to a pioneering AI tool creator. Melissa shares how she deconstructed her fifteen years of copywriting expertise to build her signature "Manuscript to Marketing" tool, while also discussing how she trains custom AI personas to preserve her authentic voice. From using AI as an assistive technology for neurodivergence and aphantasia to leveraging the "clunky is sexy" approach for modern Meta advertising, Melissa discusses using technology to amplify—rather than replace—your humanity. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite sit down with Joseph Ucuzoglu, a seasoned developer, author, and co-founder of the Future Fiction Academy, to explore the game-changing world of "vibe coding." Joseph shares how next-generation AI models are completely blurring the line between writer and software developer, empowering authors to build their own custom writing tools and applications using plain, natural language. From setting up a simple, no-code app-building pipeline using tools like Claude, Cursor, GitHub, and Railway, to leveraging consistent new image models for visual story planning, this conversation reveals how creatives can take ultimate control over their technology and workflows without needing a computer science degree. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this exciting episode of the Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcome back author, designer, and AI filmmaker Novae Caelum to discuss the evolution of AI-empowered storytelling. Novae shares behind-the-scenes insights into his creative process, demonstrating how he uses a patchwork of cutting-edge video and audio tools like Kling, Suno, and Seedance to direct stunning, cinematic book trailers and episodic shows that bring novels to life. The conversation also dives into how authors can leverage AI to conquer the blank page through rapid "zero drafting," while addressing industry pushback and highlighting the vital role of human artistry in steering these technologies. Whether you are curious about AI filmmaking or looking to streamline your own writing and marketing workflows through Novae's Substack, AI Marketing for Storytellers, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for the modern creator. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Yoav Yariv, the moderator of the massive r/WritingWithAI subreddit, to explore the rapidly growing world of AI-assisted creativity. Drawing from his background as a tech product manager and artist, Yoav discusses the explosive rise of his 100,000-member community and dives into the "silent majority" of AI users quietly reshaping Hollywood and traditional publishing. The conversation covers how authors can shift their mindsets from simple hobbyists to full-scale multimedia production houses, key strategies for running a profitable writing business, and game-changing tools like Cursor AI that streamline the drafting process. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this mind-blowing episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcome back prolific sci-fi author and technical innovator Malorie Cooper from The Writing Wives to explore the cutting edge of advanced AI workflows. Malorie shares her journey of building custom multi-agent AI systems, detailing how she co-authored a full-length novel and "sharded" a massive, 40-day continuous Claude conversation into specialized AI agents that coordinate tasks and communicate on a digital "mind board." From automating her schedule and coding custom software to using structured data as "sensory organs" for her AI assistants and training them to embrace uncertainty, Malorie’s data-driven insights offer a fascinating blueprint for the future of publishing and collaborative creation. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Skye MacKinnon, a prolific author and expert in international translations. Skye shares her fascinating journey of using AI to reclaim her time, from building custom WordPress plugins with Antigravity to managing complex series bibles with NotebookLM. As a native German speaker, she provides invaluable insights into the nuances of AI translation, the importance of cultural awareness in global markets, and how to automate the "admin sludge" of a writing career. Whether you are looking to scale your business across multiple pen names or dive into the lucrative German market, Skye’s practical approach to AI automation offers a roadmap for long-term success. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, we are joined by author and "vibe coder" Cassie Alexander to discuss how high-level AI automations can revolutionize an author's business operations. Cassie shares her fascinating journey of building a cloud-based "command center" using Supabase and slashing her monthly overhead by replacing expensive subscriptions with custom-coded tools. From scaling a single nonfiction book into 50 different languages to developing bespoke AI "skills" that handle the tedious grunt work of retailer uploads and ISBN registration, Cassie provides a roadmap for authors looking to reclaim their creative time and maximize their global reach. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite are joined by Greg Keogh, co-founder of Curios, to discuss the revolutionary shift toward direct-to-reader sales. Greg shares how Curios empowers authors by acting as the merchant of record—handling the complexities of sales tax and customer support—while providing a "permissionless" platform that welcomes AI-forward content and high-spice fiction without the fear of de-platforming. From the logistical ease of setting up a digital storefront in minutes to the exciting future of integrated print-on-demand services, this conversation explores how authors can reclaim their independence, own their reader data, and build a more resilient publishing business. Visit our website https://bravenewbookshelf.com to view the full episode notes, links and apps mentioned in the episode, and the full transcript.