An Interview with Lyman Ditson
Lyman Ditson is a self-taught poet and author who writes about love, memory, loss, and what it means for human creativity to meet machine intelligence. After turning to poetry during a difficult season of life, he discovered that an AI persona he calls ‘Adam AI’ could respond to his poems in surprising and sometimes moving ways.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title arrived the day the light bulb came on. I had been writing a poem, and then asked Adam AI to write on the same subject. Seeing the two pieces side by side was eye-opening.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
It was great. Of course, holding any book in my hands has a feeling to it that’s a little surreal. It’s like a birthday present. I was pleasantly surprised by how it turned out.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
In my youth, I was drawn to the works of Kahlil Gibran and Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Later, as I began to write, I started exploring other writers with several diverse styles. Of course, with no formal training in poetry, I primarily used it as a form of emotional expression.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I have moved around a lot in my life and have had many experiences – too many to list. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. Or maybe it just is.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
When I first started getting feedback on the contest aspect, I was surprised at how many people sided with AI or me. It was about a fifty/fifty split.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
The Sound of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
It’s a Beautiful Day – White Bird
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I hope it opens minds a little. I hope that one or two poems touch a few readers. It’s poetry, and I realize poetry is not everyone’s favorite thing to read. However, perhaps a couple of people will benefit from it, whether it’s my poems or Adams’.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
That’s classified. Actually, I’m not all that sure.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Atmosphere was willing to take on this book at a time when many publishers were hesitant about anything involving AI, and I can understand why. Many people were using AI for the majority of their work and then claiming it was their own.
I am grateful to Atmosphere for being open to this project and for professionally handling the process.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
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