AI; Friend or Foe

What the heck is A.I. (artificial intelligence) and where does it fit in your life?

The New York Times, Sunday, June 7^th, 2026 carried an interesting article on A.I. It was called ‘Pitching Comfort Over Technology.’ The article begins with: ‘Artificial Intelligence is going to cure cancer, solve life’s mysteries and liberate humankind from drudgery. But maybe, when all is said and done, it will give you just the right pasta recipe to impress someone you have a crush on.’

In other words, don’t hold your breath for AI to do all the thinking for you from now on. It’s a tool like a tooth brush, an automobile, and a snow blower - to be used when needed. The key here is to engage your brain before you let bites, bytes, code and lithium do all the thinking for you.

Aristotle defined intelligence ‘not merely as the accumulation of facts, but as the capacity to apply knowledge practically and cultivate both the mind and the soul. His core philosophies on intelligence focused on open-mindedness, the integration of emotion with intellect, and the pursuit of wisdom.’

If the key to art is authenticity, then how does one stay true to his or her own vision but still avail themselves to the wealth of information available through AI? I’m still trying to figure that out. So is Vida, my editor.

Thus far, our shared experience of marketing books has been a series to toe-dips into the ocean of AI material available for the average cyber explorer. While I don’t lack for a plethora of great ideas, imagined outcomes, and rehashed verbiage, I still have no clue where to begin this process of discovery.

After a lot of soul-searching with Vida, we decided to explore AI with the simple goal of seeing what it could do to help market two of my suspense mystery novels. The world of mystery novels is huge but chopped up into a plethora of different categories. We hoped AI could help us further categorize novels. While my novels aren’t ‘cozies,’ neither are they filled with gratuitous sex or excessive violence. Putting the novels into a certain mystery category can certainly help find the right readers for both.

Interestingly enough, ChatGPT provided the first step in that process. A while ago, Vida fed both novels into ChatGPT and it came back with a wonderful, concise, and thorough description of both novels beginning with ‘Follow the Cobbler.’

Story Breakdown as written by ChatGPT:

When linguist and adventurer Brian teams up with brilliant archaeologist Katherine, a simple research trip becomes a globe-spanning quest through history, myth, and danger. What begins in the quiet archives of Minnesota soon propels them to the jungles of Cambodia, the ruins of Machu Picchu, the ancient streets of Rome, and the sacred hills of Bethlehem—all in pursuit of one impossible figure: the Cobbler, a man said to have lived through centuries, shaping the course of civilization itself.

Shadowing their every move is LeFay, a ruthless druid chieftain determined to uncover the Cobbler’s secret for his own dark order. As assassins close in and clues intertwine—from lost poems and relics to ancient Hebrew stones and Roman sandals—Brian and Katherine must decipher the truth behind a legend that blurs the line between science and the supernatural.

Their journey uncovers not only the origins of faith and alchemy but also a revelation that could alter humanity’s understanding of life, death, and rebirth.

Follow the Cobbler is a thrilling fusion of history, mysticism, and adventure—part Da Vinci Code, part Indiana Jones, and entirely original—a race across continents and centuries in search of a truth the world was never meant to know.

Story Summary by ChatGPT:

When a Minnesota researcher uncovers a mysterious flash drive, he and a brilliant archaeologist are thrust into a centuries-old mystery linking ancient Druids, lost civilizations, and a legendary immortal known only as the Cobbler. From Saint Paul to Machu Picchu, Rome, and Angkor Wat, they race to decode clues before a global cult can unleash a secret that could rewrite human history. Follow the Cobbler blends history, faith, and adventure in a thrilling journey where the past refuses to stay buried.

My next novel described by ChatGPT was ‘Playground for the Devil.’

Story Breakdown by ChatGPT:

In the shadowy world of SCL Publishing, ambition can be deadly.

When Bradley Fitzgerald—a war-hardened veteran turned struggling writer—lands a dream job at a prestigious California publishing house, he expects long hours and tough edits. What he doesn’t expect is seduction, corruption, and murder. Beneath SCL’s glittering literary façade lies a sinister network of greed, blackmail, and buried secrets that reach from the boardroom to the mist-shrouded cliffs of Big Sur.

Drawn into the orbit of Laci—brilliant, mysterious, and hiding her own dangerous truths—Brad finds himself chasing more than fame. Together they uncover a conspiracy tied to a legendary lost manuscript of Henry Miller, a secret worth millions and worth killing for. From San Francisco’s art scene to the wild canyons along Highway 1, their pursuit becomes a fight for survival against men who would turn the world of literature into a playground for the devil.

Smart, sensual, and steeped in California noir, Playground for the Devil is a taut literary thriller about deception, desire, and the darkness that hides beneath creative genius.

Story Summary by ChatGPT:

A rising writer joins a San Francisco publishing house—only to uncover a web of corruption, seduction, and murder hidden behind its glittering façade. As he and a mysterious woman dig deeper, their search for a legendary lost manuscript leads them into a deadly conspiracy stretching from the city’s art scene to the haunted cliffs of Big Sur. Playground for the Devil is a gripping literary thriller where ambition and desire collide in the shadow of genius.

So, we had our description of my two novels. Now, where to place them? We needed research to begin the process. With her immense knowledge of computer programming, Vida was able to study the plethora of new AI programs, in place or on the horizon, and discern which programs might best fit our needs. My caveat was simple enough. I wasn’t shy about spending ‘real money’ on the experiment but I wanted to hedge my bets that the outcome would be somewhat beneficial to the cause; that is, selling more of my books.

After breaking down the various features and benefits of a multitude of AI programs, Vida designed a plan of attack. The goal was to use AI to research the marketplace, identify my own products by their most salient qualities and then plan a coordinated marketing approach to place them in the hands of readers.

SparkToro

Research

Use AI to help me identify the various markets most likely to respond to my marketing message/s

Who are my readers / How to best identify their characteristics.

What other web sites are available besides: Facebook, Reading Groups, etc.

What are some other optional places where these buyers might be reached

What about specific mailing lists of suspense readers

ChatGPT

Brainstorming

What is the best marketing approach/s to use.

For example:  Mini web site like I have for ‘Debris’ and ‘Agnes.’

                                                One page ad

                                                A teaser

                                                Two versions: Kindle & Print

Can AI identify the specific parts of a suspense novel that these audiences are looking for                         What are some cheap or inexpensive AI tool to use for this research

RankScore & Rytr

More market research

I want to see how these AI programs can do more intense market research to best identify web sites to approach

Brevo & Shortwave

            Need for a customer platform?

Do I care about e-mail marketing?

I don’t think I want an AI customer platform (correct, no CRM needed)

Soro / Vibie / Realize

            Paid Advertising

            Do I want to use advertising in my marketing plan?

            What kind of paid advertising is most effective for my two novels

It’s too early to tell where or how far this new AI-driven marketing approach is all going to go. It’ll probably be a series of starts, stops, stumbles, dead-ends, closed loops, and tiny bits of treasured research neither Vida nor I would ever have gleaned on our own.

The secret will be to take those nuggets of information and use them in a direct instead of the old familiar circuitous route to connect with readers who might find my novels of interest.

Playing Cowboy Again

When I was growing up, we were very poor. Spending money was at a premium or non-existent. My single mother would give me the choice between a Saturday afternoon western movie or a comic book. Both cost ten cents. I would choose the movie almost every time.

While the comic book would have lasted longer, it could never fuel my imagination the way an old piece of celluloid, wrapped in frightening sound effects, dramatic music and eye-popping images could. It was an hour and a half of living out my fantasies in a dark and cavernous theater surrounded by rows of fellow overly imaginative youngsters. Nothing much has changed over the years.

Aside from some of the classic western movies by John Ford, Sam Peckinpah and a few other masters of the genre, most westerns back in the 50’s and 60’s didn’t really represent the true west. I think I could sense, even back then, the Hollywood magic behind the façade of plywood store fronts and war paint.

Later on in life, as my fascination with the old west grew, I began to read some of the true poet masters of that era like Henry Allen Wilson and Larry McMurtry. I tried to understand what the old west was really like back then. I treasured movies such as Red River, The Searchers, the Fort Apache trilogy, Jeremiah Johnson, and a few select classics. I often wondered if I could ever tell such a tale myself.

Finally, around 1973, in a spare bedroom in Reisterstown, Maryland, I began crafting a story of three individuals who find their lives inexplicitly tied and twisted together. It took a year of pounding on that old L.C. Smith typewriter, making corrections and retyping those same pages over and over again. That labor-intensive, painful process continued for almost a year until the story was completed.

Then for reasons long since forgotten, I promptly shelved it despite my wife’s urgings that I explore some kind of publication. A second western written shortly thereafter suffered the same fate. Gradually, I forgot about my venture out West and went back to my life on the East Coast. Then years later, thirty-nine to be exact, I began looking for something to do in lieu of retirement. That first novel came to mind and I pulled it out of a dusty desk drawer. I had my answer.

Without any real idea of what I’d do with that dusty relic, I transferred those tired old graying pages to a floppy disc and began my journey back in time to a place I had long since forgotten. It had taken me years to return out West but it was worth the wait.

Much to my surprise, I found my storyline held its own and the characters still resonated with me after all those years. I had an artist create a book cover for me. Then I rewrote the novel, keeping the main plot line but adding a lot more period details, refining the characters personalities and ended up with a story that still remained true to my original vision.

Each step of the way, I found myself riding alongside my hero and dodging Apache arrows just as he did. I was that drifter, lost and confused in a changing world after the Civil War. Like my hero, I still hadn’t shaken off the troubling memories of the war or the deep feelings that fiery red-head stirred up in my head and heart. A new title beckoned and the novel became ‘Apache Death Wind.’

What I experienced in writing, and then rewriting of that western tale, was a transformation from East Coast storyteller to Midwestern yarn-spinner to West Coast reporter. By the time I was safely ensconced in my office at home, I was finalizing a story that began in Reisterstown, Maryland, found refinement and clarity in Apple Valley, Minnesota and finally reached its conclusion under the San Jacinto Mountains in my back yard.

So, what happened next?

Even before “Apache Death Wind” was published, there was self-induced pressure building for a sequel. At first, I was left pondering what might have happened to my two main characters, Jeb and Charlotte, if they weren’t together at the end of the first novel. Then ever so slowly, a new story started to emerge from the shadowy confines of my imagination. This new tale gradually morphed into a story of love lost, a man bent on suicide and a new beginning gradually growing for the two main characters. Of course, circumstances bring them together again but not always in ways a reader might imagine.

The more I worked on a treatment for the sequel, the more excited I got about the characters and what happened to both of them after the end of “Apache Death Wind.” Thus, was created ‘Chaparral Fox.’

The sequel opens with Jeb sitting across from the cantina where two bandit brothers are holed up and waiting for the rest of their outlaw gang to return. Jeb, ever true to his word, is determined to eliminate the two brothers just as he had promised the villagers. At the end of the first chapter, Jeb arises and begins to walk toward the cantina, rifle in hand. It is a suicide mission but since he’s lost the love of his life, he doesn’t really care any longer.

Charlotte is established now in San Francisco. She has become very successful with her own tailoring business and has put her past life with Jeb behind her…or so she believes. Then she is approached by a lawyer with news that will change her life forever… The plot gets even more complex after that. That second novel ended with a reunion of sorts but a plethora of problems still facing our two main protagonists.

The storyline wasn’t ended yet. There was still one more tale to tell. It would be the third and final installment in the Apache Death Wind trilogy. Both main characters were once again in danger and deep trouble in Mexico. ‘City of the Dead’ finds them in an abandoned village, surrounded by Indians and outlaws with little chance of survival.

Thus, the ‘Apache Death Wind’ trilogy was born. But my western story-telling wasn’t finished yet. Now came the hard part. Advertising on Facebook; both domestic and foreign, didn’t bring in a lot of sales. Comments made on western Facebook group sites didn’t fare much better. The path to success, either direct or through a circuitous route, was eluding me.

Now I’m taking new steps to market this western trilogy through the help of artificial intelligence. AI has pointed out a number of new avenues I hadn’t considered. It might consist of another mini web site such as the two I have for ‘Debris’ and ‘Agnes.’ It might include a more targeted, enhanced e-mail list, etc. Since Westerns are evergreen and timeless, I’ve had the benefit of time and space behind me. I’m confident I’ll get there; it may just take a little more hard travelin’ before I do.

East Jesus on a Slab

Look at a map of the Coachella Valley and you’ll find a plethora of wonderful side trips to educate and warp the mind. The Colorado high desert and Joshua Tree are just an hour North. Swing the other way around and you can be in the artist community of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains. Drop south and things get really interesting with the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain and ‘The Slabs.’

If you take a right at the Salton Sea, you’ll end up in East Jesus and West Satan. Unlike the posh country clubs and rarified Aire that is of Palm Springs legend, this is a ‘lost world’ replete with fascinating characters, RV vagabonds and a few stragglers who look like human residue scrapped up from the bottom of civilized society. It’s a step back in time and void of any semblance to a world that vacationers have come to expect of Palm Springs.

East Jesus is next to West Satan which is just a stone’s throw away from Salvation Mountain. I passed the Fountain of Youth trailer park on the way into town. I think you get the drift.

The Salton Sea was cloaked in a shroud of mist and smell and dead fish on the day I ventured there. Fortunately, it was cool in the morning so the smell wasn’t overwhelming even if the rotting carcasses of Tilapia was a bit disconcerting to walk on. Further down the road past the trailers of Bombay Beach was the sad remains of Camp Dunlap, a World War Two Marine base lost in the desert. Appropriately named Slab City, the Quonset huts are gone now and only the concrete slabs remain.

Just down the road from Salvation Mountain, two former guard huts announce the entrance to Slab City. It’s estimated that there are about one hundred and fifty permanent residents (squatters) who live in the Slabs all-year round. Some live on government checks, others just want to live ‘off the grid’ and a few come to stretch out their retirement income. The camp has no electricity, no running water, no sewers or toilets and no trash pickup service. Sounds like a dry run for the apocalypse.

Despite the free shoe tree on the way into town and the free library, most of the residents have sectioned off their trailers, tents and sleeping bags with tires, pallets, or barbwire. Free is free unless it comes to their piece of heaven in the desert then even the squatters want their personal space recognized.

The library is an eclectic collection of cast-off books and magazines all free for the taking. The floor was dirt and the ceiling clear blue sky or sheets stretched between sections. The reading lounge was mainly occupied by lizards, tarantulas, and small droppings of a questionable nature. When I was there, the proprietor encouraged me to visit the art gallery at East Jesus which is next to West Satan. A request like that couldn’t be ignored.

East Jesus has been described as an experimental, sustainable, habitable, art installation. I was told that East Jesus is a colloquialism for the middle of nowhere beyond the edge of services. Made from discarded material that has been reused, recycled, or repurposed, East Jesus encourages visitors to imagine a world without waste in which every action is an opportunity for self-expression.

I think West Satan is a simply a suburb of East Jesus. The art gallery there was fascinating and mind-expanding. My wife, ever the one to encompass clear insight into as few words as possible, simply called it ‘bad art.’

Either way it was a fun trip that gave birth to other mind images that are still whirling around in my head. Someday they just might start leaking out my fingertips into future storylines. My visit challenged the notion of ‘what art is’ and dragged us out of our comfort zone for at least one afternoon.

It was at once fascinating, intriguing, sad, mind-expanding, and challenging. It was finding iconic and cultural-pop treasures in the middle of nowhere California…just a stones-throw from Palm Springs and the flip side of reality there.

It was tripping out without the acid and a glimpse into the lives of those who don’t want to be a part of ‘any scene’ here in fantasy land or the rest of the world.

I get it. They got it…and want to keep it that way.