Miscellany #4
Writing life: 44
As the title suggests, here are a few miscellaneous items as my fall book tour winds down and we begin to get back to regularly scheduled programming. Just a few more tour stops before the holiday season is upon us.
AI programs are using my novels!
When it comes to Artificial Intelligence, it seems to me there are two issues we’re confronting. One is the growing use of writers' works in AI training protocols without compensating the creators. The second, broader, more challenging issue is the impact AI could have on many different creative arts, from literature to screen plays, art and even music. On the first issue, it seems that AI organizations are downloading books to assist in machine learning—usually downloading them from pirated book sites—without informing or compensating writers.
Given that I am, for the most part, published only in Canada, I had thought that my novels might not be as vulnerable to this devious and unethical practice. Wrong. Of the 183,000 books being used to help train AI programs, it turns out that seven of them are mine.
A very strange, almost surreal, feeling came over me when I saw the names of most of my novels displayed in the search results. I did not consent to this use of my writing—Consent? I didn’t even know!—nor was I compensated. (Click here or on the graphic below for more information on the issue.)
You can find the searchable database developed by The Atlantic magazine, here.
So I did what I now encourage all writers to do (whether or not your work has been used in this nefarious way), I signed the Open Letter to Generative AI Leaders spearheaded by the Authors Guild. (Click here to read and sign the Open Letter.)
John Degen of The Writers Union of Canada has been working on this issue for more than a decade. We're lucky to have TWUC in our corner. The battle continues.
On the second issue of the broader impact AI could have on the cultural industries, we need an informed debate on what it actually means so that we can develop appropriate strategies to protect the critical role artists play in the cultural life of societies around the world. As if we don’t already have enough challenges as writers! More to come on this.
Speaking to U of T Poli Sci students
Two weeks ago, I spoke to a third year Political Science class about my first novel, The Best Laid Plans. The novel is on the course syllabus, which is always a thrill. I have seldom met a more engaging, engaged, and enthusiastic group of students, which bodes well for our future. Their questions were thoughtful and informed, and they kept me on my toes. Many thanks to Professor Semra Sevi for assigning my novel to her class and inviting me to speak. It was a very enjoyable morning, although it did make me feel old. They all looked like high school students to me.
Book Drunkard Festival Appearance
A couple of weeks ago, I appeared at The Book Drunkard Festival in Uxbridge alongside my friend, fellow ball hockey player, writer, and professional musician, Mike Tanner, for an on-stage interview about A New Season. The sold-out event was organized by Blue Heron Books and hosted by The Second Wedge Brewery Co.
What made this event different from my other tour stops can be found in the two guitars seen between Mike and me in the first photo below. Yes, for the first—and likely last—time, Mike and I actually performed both of the original songs of mine that appear in the novel. It seemed like a good idea six months or so ago when Shelley Macbeth, the creator and life-force behind The Book Drunkard Festival, and I discussed it, but it did not seem like such a brilliant plan when it came time to start playing and singing in front of, you know, the audience. I never would have agreed to do it without Mike right there beside me.
Mike and I rehearsed three times for the event and he added some brilliant guitar lines to my finger picking and strumming, and threw in some lovely harmonies that really elevated the songs.
He was also a great interviewer for the 40 or so minutes of our on-stage discussion. Big thanks to Mike Tanner and Shelley Macbeth for making the event such a success.
Above: A brief snippet from the first and likely only live performance of Until the New Year, a song I wrote 42 years ago.
Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival
The day after The Book Drunkard Festival, I flew to Sudbury for the Wordstock Festival. I think it was my third time at this event over the years and it was a great weekend. My pal, Rod Carley and I led a humour writing workshop on the Saturday morning, and then Rod interviewed the wonderful Calgary writer—and good friend—Ali Bryan and me at the Saturday night Gala. I also attended many of the other events including an amazing poetry session chaired by former Sudbury Poet Laureate—another good friend—Kim Fahner.
London’s Wordsfest
Just yesterday, I was in London, Ontario, for Wordsfest, another lovely writers festival, which I’ve attended several times over the years.
A big crowd showed up for my talk on A New Season at Museum London. The Artistic Director of the festival, Josh Lambier, introduced me and expertly managed the Q&A afterwards. It was so nice to return to this festival and reconnect with readers and writer in the area.
Thanks for stopping by. Here’s hoping you’ll subscribe (it’s free and easy) so you don’t miss future instalments. See you in two weeks!
Tanner and Fallis.
It's a good thing.
SKH xo
I hear you met a few NOWW members in Sudbury -- very cool! I love when literary worlds collide... (But then, that's what festivals are all about, right?)
Such a great experience, though I imagine all these festivals are a bit of a whirlwind.