This is a repost of something I wrote earlier (spontaneously, at 11:00 p.m., simply because I had an idea and it wouldn’t let go of me) and published on my old blog. I think it sums up why I don’t (or, no longer) use generative AI in the book cover design process.
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I’ve yet to hear anyone in the Christian indie fiction community discuss this topic before, but I firmly believe it’s something that needs to be talked about. I intend to lay out my perspective on the issue and express a heartfelt warning to any authors who might be reading this.
Lately, I’ve noticed an increasing number of authors choosing to include AI art on their book covers. I’ve seen the new technology embraced everywhere from author websites to new book covers. And I’ve even seen something I wish I could expunge from my memory forever: uncanny valley character art related to one of my favorite series.
(Am I being a little dramatic? Yes, maybe.)
My intention in writing this is not to offend anyone or call out specific authors. I try to be pretty understanding when I see a book with AI art on the cover, and as always, I judge whether I want to read and buy it because of the book itself, not the cover. AI cover art won’t stop me from buying a book if I really want it, but I do deeply regret every time an author embraces it.
(That said, there is at least one cover I need to redesign so I don’t have to witness the horrors every time I open Calibre.)
I haven’t always felt this way about AI art. About two years ago, I was fascinated by the idea of using AI to create unique and customizable cover art on a budget. I used to scroll through pages of Midjourney images on Pixabay, looking for the perfect picture to spark a story idea or encapsulate my vision of a specific character. You can probably even find old posts on this very blog where I shared character photos I made with AI.
This is not a secret I like to share, but I’ll say it here for full disclosure: my first published book cover featured AI-generated art. The author and I were both okay with it, and I thought it would be a good way to avoid copyright troubles. Now, of course, I regret the decision immensely.
So what changed? What turned me from a generative AI advocate to an outspoken Luddite? Well, I’m not exactly sure. There was never one moment that changed my mind or a convincingly written piece that swayed my opinion. Rather, what gradually shifted was my perception of AI art in an aesthetic sense.
It’s obvious to me now that AI art is as inferior to human art as sewer water is to a homemade latte. Most people, if not everyone–I’ve never asked–can identify it from true art or photography by instinct. Even though it may be better at creating hands or furniture than it used to be, it is rare to see an AI generated photo that doesn’t have a look that I call unrealistic perfection. Symmetrical, dimpled smiles; unusually smooth skin; face shapes that don’t reflect what most people look like–these are the hallmarks of AI art. And to be honest, seeing those kinds of pictures on a cover–or even just shared by a fellow author–makes me recoil.
So yes, my main (but not my only) reason for opposing AI art on book covers is simply because it’s ugly. As book covers are intended to draw the reader in with eye-catching beauty, I think that is reason enough to reject the visual efforts of your favorite tech company’s newest feature. But there is more evidence behind my reasoning than pure aesthetics.
We aren’t just writers, we are Christian writers. As such, we have a responsibility to present our works in a way that accords with our values. AI art shows a lack of respect for humanity because instead of hiring an artist and/or designer to use his or her God-given talent, you’re opting for the cheap and easy way out. Unfortunately, I am among the many who are worried about the future of the creative professions in a world where companies are eager to cut costs by using AI.
AI art comes with many negative connotations from copyright infringement to lost income, so when an unbeliever sees AI art on a Christian book cover, he or she is not likely to come away with a positive opinion of the author’s faith. We need to respect God not only in what we write but also in how we package our books, careful that the fruits of our creativity are a positive witness toward others.
If you’re an author or prospective author reading this, I want to personally urge you to reject the harmful trend of using AI art to promote your book. As tempting as it is to be able to tell a machine exactly what your character looks like and have it make you a free or low-cost picture, there is much more at stake. We serve a God of beauty, and AI art is far from beautiful. We ought to respect others by giving them an opportunity to use their creative talents, while simultaneously promoting beauty instead of ugliness.
I don’t care if secular authors start using AI at unheard-of rates. I don’t care if the technology improves so that AI-generated photos become indistinguishable from real ones. As Christian writers, we are called to be set apart from the world. This is one way we can show that commitment.
Until next time,
R.M.W.
