Shirtaloon
patreon
Another update
🕑 Added 2025-09-21 07:01:51 +0000 UTCG'day all,
On the good news front, I am starting to see some real recovery. It's very slow and very incremental, but after months of unpleasant stasis, things are (very gradually) starting to improve. My doctors have started to pull me off some of the drug regime and I am out and about a little bit more than previous, although I still spend mos of my time resting and sleeping.
I'm not yet to the point of writing, but I am so hungry to get back to it that I can almost taste it. I still can't put a date on anything, sadly, but I will keep you updated as things (hopefully) continue to improve.
On a less pleasant note, many of you will be aware of some discussion that took place in the comments of my last update around feeding my books into a long language model to try and create new chapters. Specifically requesting they be legally distinct enough to avoid copyright issues, which itself says a lot.
The poster in question expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of content over the last few months. I've previously discussed why I haven't shut down billing this time, but to quickly recap, the technical issues surrounding a pause in billing have repeatedly proven a mess. I made at the time that there would be no new content for a while, and that has sadly turned into a much longer while than any of us wanted.
I also expressed at the time that anyone who does not want to support the Patreon during this period should not feel obligated to do so. Let me reiterate this now. I have been overwhelmed with the support that I have gotten during this tough time, be it ongoing Patreon support or the amazing gifts and letters I've received. Thank you so much. But please feel no obligation to keep paying if you don't want to. The books are still selling and I'll do just fine with keeping the lights on.
Now to the issue of AI. To be absolutely clear, using my books for any AI related purpose is not permitted. Not by me and not by my publishers. No one has any permission to feed my books into an AI model. I realise that I am essentially powerless to stop anyone from doing exactly that, so all I can do is tell you that I don't appreciate it, even while recognising that someone who feels entitled to do this will not care. If you have to tell the AI to dodge copyright restrictions, then it is obvious that what you're doing is wrong.
I would also like to thank those in the comments who made clear that they share my views on this issue and are against taking my work unauthorised and using it to churn out AI slop. Time and again, this community has demonstrated that it is full to the brim with wonderful, caring people. Thank you all for being so outstanding.
-Shirt
Comments
phillip patrick
I have been patiently waiting for the land for a while… so trust me! I’m here for the long haul. Do what you gotta do and get urself healthy. I’ll send all the prayers I can. Be safe and stay happy Shirt :)
Chelsea Shrader
Considering how often I relisten to the books and how much this series has done for my mental health, I feel like Shirt is getting the short end of the deal with my Patreon subscription.
Jessica Olson
I get plenty of youtube ads of ai written audio slop books... they can't do any justice to quality writting. Your books are already a cut above the average real writer which would make the difference even more jarring.
Ms Weiss
Remember that creativity is killed by stress. Just get better. I'm not saying I'm not anxious to hear more, I'm saying that your health is more important. Stressing out will ruin your recovery. As far as keep paying...I just joined just to hear your updates. Your sense of humor will pull you through. Studies have shown that professional chess players use as much energy as marathon runners. The battle at Winterfell is known to burn as many calories as a 30 min workout for those who watched. Don't discount your work as easy or can be done while fighting for your life. If Dominion(the builder?healer?) asked (told?forced?)you to take a break and think it through, then the next book will be the best one yet. (See this is why the writing is up to you.) So, 1.) Get strong again 2.) Keep updating your statis 3.) Write the best book ever. I don't think anyone will really contradict this advice.
Matt Turner
Dude i cant imagine people doing that to your work. Though im sure some have so they can have bad fan fic. Nothing the ai could produce would have your flare and especially it wouldnt have your outline. Rest and heal any anyone who wants to do that can just stop paying as you said. The rest of us will support you
Alison Ooms
Wishing you well on your recovery and so glad it is starting to come around. I await new chapters very impatiently, but understand completely that your health is more important. I’m happy your mind is plotting new words, I can’t wait for Jason’s return.
Wendy
Shirt you go at the pace you feel is right for you. We will be here when you are ready. I have gotten more entertainment out of your books than I can articulate. So my contribution will continue as I would spend more on a meal at a resturant for an hour to never be done again than on your books I read and listen to over and over. Get Well and continue Jason's journey as you may. Your True fans are behind you. AI sucks!
Tam McTavish
Using AI to create new chapters of your favourite book series is the Reality Core Farming of our world. How do you read these stories and not see that? Stealing from the creators who make what you love because you’ve become addicted to on demand entertainment is exactly how we lose genuine content. Maybe it’s fun for a moment, but it will lose what makes Art human. It will become generic background noise to quiet the brain and sell you things. Shirts experience will no doubt change how he writes about afflictions? AI can’t synthesize that. If I could afford it I would increase during this silent period. Travis needs support, not BS. If you like what he makes shape up, and be patient. Shirt, if you read this take your time. Heal up. And if writing about a character whose whole deal is afflictions is traumatizing…. you’re allowed to leave the series. Your mental health is worth more. I know I’d be devastated, but I would be equally excited about your next project.
Kurt Charlton
Glad to here from you shirt! Hope you continue to recover and that one day we can begin our journey once again
