Dear readers,
It has been quite a while since I’ve published a longer blog piece. This is because I have been so lucky to be very busy in my literary corner of the world. If you follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature, then you’ll be as up-to-date as one can be. I’ve been reviewing lots of books for Children’s Books Ireland as usual, and I’ve gotten to be a Book Doctor at some CBI Book Clinics which is such a pleasure. I feel so privileged to get to speak to young readers about books that they love.
It’s been a creative time in many ways. I’ve been watching many movies as always, I’ve been writing, and I’m so thrilled that we have relaunched Your Book or Mine?
In our latest episode, Seán, my co-host and I, discussed all things fantasy as we chatted all about A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. You can listen now on Spotify.
Alongside general literary chats, if you follow me on Instagram then you will know that I am very passionately anti-AI. Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to write about this topic and express my thoughts and concerns about the use of generative AI specifically.
I am very thankful that my experience and my qualifications in the realm of English literature have given me the platforms that allow me to highlight my concerns around this topic, especially highlighting my issues with the decline in media literacy, and while I feel that it is important that our imaginations are preserved rather than having generative AI use pushed on us through false assertions that using AI is the same as being creative and writing or articulating ideas ourselves.
I created and shared this post on @katelovesliterature a while ago. It has been viewed over 14 thousand times, and I feel it really sums up my feelings on this topic.
I really encourage you to read further and learn about why so many people, particularly those of us who are writers, editors, illustrators, and creatives, feel so strongly about why using generative AI is incredibly disappointing. There are many wonderful pieces out there, and I am lucky enough that I have been invited to share my perspective on more than one occasion.
You can read my first article “Why We Should Resist Generative AI” on writing.ie https://www.writing.ie/resources/resist-generative-ai-kate-obrien/
I was also delighted to be invited to contribute to DCU’s MA in Children’s and YA Lit blog.
I’m very proud of the time I spent studying at DCU, and this MA programme truly made me feel fulfilled. I loved my time on the course. I have remained connected with my classmates, I’ve gotten to explore brilliant opportunities, and I’ve forged some fantastic connections through my time on this MA programme in DCU’s School of English, so I was honoured and proud to be invited to contribute.
Not only have I gotten to further delve into this topic that I’m passionate about, but I have been allowed to explore this topic in a three-part series that will be published on DCU’s MA in Children’s and YA Lit blog. I’m very proud of the work that has gone into this series, and very grateful for the collaboration that took place with Alex at DCU. We went back and forth to make sure the pieces were just right.
You can read part one titled “Respecting Literature for Children and Rejecting Generative AI” now. https://dublincityuniversitychildrensandyaliterature.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/part-1-respecting-literature-for-children-and-rejecting-generative-ai/
I look forward to seeing parts two and three being published soon, and I hope to return to writing longer literary discussions here on Katelovesliterature.com very soon, but for now, I’m enjoying being so busy in my own little literary corner. If you know that reference, please do leave a comment!
If you’re satisfied with a draft that was spat out in seconds then I fear you don’t love writing as much as you think you do.
I could not resist sharing this quote from my first blog post in the series. It has resonated with a few people so far, and I hope it continues to. May we always keep our wonder.
Kate xo.
Katelovesliterature.com 