When I first decided to use AI tools to help illustrate my stories, I didn’t expect it to become such a point of controversy. To me, it was a practical and creative decision — a way to bring my independently written books to life without the enormous financial pressure that often holds authors back.
But I soon discovered that within parts of the author and artist community, AI has become an emotional subject. There’s fear, misunderstanding, and at times, hostility. And for those of us who use it ethically and transparently, it can feel isolating to be judged for something that, at its heart, comes from love for our craft.
I’ve received messages questioning my integrity, comments implying my work is “less authentic,” and even public criticism for choosing to integrate technology into my creative process. Those experiences have been disheartening — but they’ve also made me more determined to speak honestly about why I do what I do.
The truth is that AI hasn’t replaced my creativity; it’s expanded it.
I write every word of my books myself. The characters, worlds, and emotions are mine — imagined late at night, rewritten endlessly, and shaped through experience and care. The artwork simply helps those stories reach children faster, more vividly, and more affordably.
Before AI, many indie authors were forced to choose between quality and cost. Professional illustration can easily cost more than an entire small print run. For someone writing multiple books, it simply isn’t sustainable. And that financial barrier meant countless wonderful stories never made it into readers’ hands.
AI changed that for me. It gave me the ability to publish with visual consistency, to design covers that truly match the tone of each story, and to maintain creative control from start to finish. It turned the impossible into the achievable — and that is something I’ll never apologise for.
Of course, using AI comes with responsibility. I’ve said this many times, but it bears repeating: ethical use is essential. I never reference or copy real artists’ names or styles. I never try to replicate existing artwork. Every image begins with an original concept, developed from my story’s tone, setting, and themes. It’s a process of art direction — not imitation.
And yet, the criticism persists. Some people see AI and immediately assume dishonesty. But the irony is that my process is more intentional now than it’s ever been. Every image requires direction, refinement, editing, and purpose. It’s not a shortcut — it’s a collaboration between creativity and technology.
If anything, the experience has taught me resilience. It’s made me more aware of how divided creative communities can become when faced with change. But it’s also connected me with countless other indie authors and readers who share the same belief: that storytelling should be accessible, affordable, and free from unnecessary gatekeeping.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with my methods. Art has always inspired debate, and that’s part of its power. But I do hope more people begin to understand that AI, when used responsibly, can open doors rather than close them.
I use AI because I love storytelling. Because I believe in sharing beauty and imagination, not hoarding it behind impossible costs. And because every time a child opens one of my books and smiles — it reminds me why I started writing in the first place.
That moment of connection, that spark of wonder — that’s something no algorithm could ever create on its own.
This is the creative reality of being an independent author in a changing world. It’s imperfect, evolving, and deeply human. And despite the criticism, I wouldn’t change it — because every story deserves to be told, no matter how it finds its way into the world.
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