If I had to summarise what the first year of AI-enabled writing did, it is this: writer’s block is dead and buried. There can no longer be an excuse not to write.

With the death of writer’s block, we have seen a new generation of tools being created to replace the Microsoft Word-style text processor. AI is also a critical challenge to more sophisticated writing tools, like Scrivener, which had been widely considered a top choice for organising and drafting novels.

The new generation of AI tools (at least the useful ones) have fallen into largely two categories:

• Base tools: ChatGPT with its different models and Claude.
• “Dedicated” tools: Popular ones include Sudowrite and Novel AI, with the latest addition, Novel Craft, being praised as perhaps the breakthrough many AI-positive writers were waiting for.

Personally, as I enter the sixth month of my experimentation at the intersection of fiction writing and AI, I have stuck with the base models by and large. I have currently transitioned from using Scrivener to Notion to handle my manuscript, keeping open the two chatbots mentioned on the side to help as developmental and line editors.

The main reason for sticking with base tools has been that I have been doing a lot more AI-assisted editing than drafting, which dedicated tools like Sudowrite don’t seem to be designed for.

(Side note: I have been working hard at revising my second novel, Path of the Nemesis. Once done with that, hopefully by Christmas this year, I will be diving into the revision, redrafting and publishing of my third novel, a 160,000 words beast which I originally wrote during the pandemic in 2020. Crazy times!)

I believe that by the time I start my first entirely new project, likely sometime in the second half of 2024, I will be seeing some really exciting dedicated tools, having reached the level of sophistication needed to make them worth the change in workflows.

Also Read: AI assistant or replacement? A PR pro’s take on using ChatGPT

That being said, I wanted to write this post today to share my view that while the death of writer’s block is a fantastic development, the fundamental challenge facing writers remains financial sustainability through connecting stories with eager audiences. That truly existential issue, so far, has gone unaddressed.

Gold-diggers and shovel-sellers

As an entrepreneur, I spearheaded Storya, a writing startup that wanted nothing less than to disrupt the Amazon stranglehold on fiction self-publishing with generative AI tools. I know firsthand the frustrations writers face in commercialising creative passion, and I put my blood and sweat into seeking solutions to the problem.

Storya failed, unfortunately, as I have written about here and elsewhere, but I continue to look with hope at what others are building in the “AI + fiction” space. Of course, I also keep brainstorming on new tech projects that may help me achieve my original goal.

But what I am broadly seeing in our current AI “gold rush” are writing tools that excel at building upon ideas but fail to help locate buyers. Most of the tools I mentioned (and the hundreds of copycats out there) are the classic creations of “shovel-sellers”, a reminder that we are very much in the middle of yet another hype cycle.

I think many authors right now, mesmerised by utopian visions of automated writing riches, neglect the pillars of professional authorship – editing, publicity, and rights management. The harsh truth: thinking that “publishing” as a life choice stops at typing “The End” in one’s manuscript is, unfortunately, delusional. I have long suffered from the same delusion myself!

My key issue with the current crop of AI tools, more specifically, is that there is an implicit philosophy behind their designs, namely that with quantity, success will come. While that could potentially be true, volume alone is a guarantee of precisely nothing when it comes to building a sustainable creative income.

Also Read: What did we learn from failing to raise VC funding?

This means that one year into the AI revolution, it is as good a time as ever to expand our sights beyond drafting for the sake of drafting.

We need to find ways to leverage the massive potential of AI for solutions that take fiction works from inception to market fruition — streamlining editing, production, marketing and distribution. Rather than solely stripping away creative barriers for the initial writing stages, we need to think strategically about what it means to build a writing career.

In short, we must innovate across the entire publication value chain. As my Co-Founder Praveen has correctly pointed out, it will be a sad world if all we are outsourcing to AI are the parts that make us most human, like creativity, while we are still stuck with the far less inspiring parts, like pricing, copyright, licensing, marketing, sales, social media management, and more.

That’s the innovation I want. And I think that is the conversation that really needs to happen. At least, I am very much ready for it.

AI is unleashing creativity, I truly believe that. But the future of AI in fiction must have financial rewards interwoven with this imaginative abundance.

If you are keen to make it happen, hit me up!

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Code Red for Writers.

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Singapore-based crustacean meat startup Shiok Meats has merged with cultivated seafood company Umami Bioworks.

The details of the merger are undisclosed.

As per a news report, Umami Bioworks, led by CEO Mihir Pershad, will spearhead the merged entity. Shiok Meats’s co-founder and CEO Sandhya Sriram will depart.

Also Read: Shiok Meats wants to bring cruelty-free shrimp products to your dining table with its US$12.6M Series A

The Shiok Meats brand will be retained, and its employees will join Umami Bioworks.

This merger comes at a time when regulatory approvals and commercialisation are on the horizon for the cultivated seafood industry, with Umami having already submitted initial regulatory documents and secured preliminary customers. The combined entity plans to leverage its strengths to expedite these processes.

Umami will continue the work Shiok Meats has done on cultivating crustacean seafood, including lobster, shrimp, and crab.

The initial market launch will likely involve hybrid products, combining cultivated fish cells with plant-based ingredients.

The merger is expected to enhance Umami’s go-to-market strategy, broaden commercial opportunities, and accelerate regulatory approvals. Integration efforts are underway, with plans to consolidate resources and establish dedicated centres for cell lines, media, and bioprocess research and development.

Also Read: Umami Meats secures US$2.4M seed funding to scale its cultivated seafood business in Singapore

Founded in August 2018 by stem cell scientists Sriram and Dr. Ka Yi Ling (CTO), Shiok claims to be the first cell-based meat company in Southeast Asia and the first and only cell-based meat company working on shrimp. It is working to bring cell-based crustacean meats (shrimp, crab, lobster) to the kitchen. Its meats are cruelty-free, healthy, and better for the environment with the same taste and texture and more nutrients than their traditional counterparts.

The startup stands out from other cell-based meat production companies because of its proprietary technology that isolates stem cells from shrimp, lobster, and crab. Once the stem cells are harvested, the shrimp, lobster and crab meats are grown in nutrient-rich conditions, similar to that of a greenhouse.

In 2020, Shiok Meats raised US$12.6 million in a Series A funding round, led by Aqua-Spark, an investment fund focused on sustainable aquaculture.

Umami Bioworks (earlier known as Umami Meats) produces nutritious, affordable cultivated seafood. The startup claims its cultivated, not-caught seafood offers equivalent nutrition to traditional seafood and provides a delicious culinary experience free from heavy metals, antibiotics, and microplastics.

In 2022, Umami secured pre-seed funding of US$2.4 million co-led by Better Bite Ventures and Genedant.

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OKX SG, the Singapore subsidiary of global crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, has received in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution License (MPI) in Singapore.

The licence issued by the regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), allows it to provide digital payment tokens and cross-border money transfer services in the city-state.

The company looks to build a locally tailored suite of products and services.

Also Read: ‘Young, tech-savvy population contributes to cryptocurrency growth in Vietnam’

OKX is currently available for users in Singapore via the web or the iOS or Google Play apps.

“Regulatory compliance is a core aspect of our CeFi business strategy as we build locally, and we are supportive of the MAS’s world-leading framework, which aims to safeguard consumers by upholding market integrity and security,” Chief Legal Officer Mauricio Beugelmans said.

Founded in 2017, OKX is a cryptocurrency exchange providing spot, margin, expiry, options, perpetual futures trading, DeFi, lending, and mining services to more than 50 million global users. In addition to the DeFi exchange, it also offers OKX Wallet, which allows people to explore NFTs and metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.

Also Read: OKX Ventures backs Web3 interoperability infra firm Polyhedra

OKX also runs a venture capital arm OKX Ventures, which recently led an investment round in BeWater, a Web3 venture studio and global developer platform that facilitates the development of open-innovation campaigns and events, including hackathons.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

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Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

The real estate landscape presents a host of challenges that transcend geographical boundaries, impacting aspiring homeowners worldwide. Affordability remains a significant obstacle, fueled by escalating property prices and stagnant wages in many regions. Access to financing can be constrained by stringent lending criteria and high down payment requirements, particularly for first-time buyers. Moreover, market volatility and economic uncertainties can deter investment and exacerbate housing inequalities. Issues such as inadequate infrastructure, regulatory complexities, and legal disputes further complicate property transactions, eroding trust and confidence in the real estate market.

Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires concerted efforts from policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities to foster sustainable and inclusive housing solutions for all.

More particularly, with Indonesia’s burgeoning middle class, consumers encounter various challenges when engaging in selling, buying, renting, instalment, and property maintenance endeavours. Firstly, the process of selling or buying property can be hindered by bureaucratic red tape and inefficiencies in the legal system, leading to lengthy and complex transactions. Additionally, the lack of standardised property valuation methods often results in discrepancies between seller expectations and buyer perceptions of value, contributing to negotiation difficulties and transaction delays.

Also read: Echelon X introduces the Growth Stage: A dedicated platform for startup growth

Moreover, consumers face obstacles in securing financing, with limited access to mortgage options and high interest rates constraining purchasing power, particularly for first-time buyers. This can perpetuate housing inequality and impede homeownership aspirations for many Indonesians.

Furthermore, renting property in Indonesia presents its own set of challenges for consumers. Tenants may need help finding suitable accommodation due to a mismatch between rental supply and demand, especially in densely populated urban areas. Rental agreements may lack clarity and enforceability, exposing tenants to potential exploitation by landlords.

Additionally, property maintenance experiences can be subpar, with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and insufficient access to utilities plaguing rental properties. These challenges underscore the need for comprehensive reforms to streamline property transactions, enhance consumer protection measures, and improve the quality of housing and rental experiences in Indonesia.

As such, founded in 2020, Pinhome, the leading end-to-end property platform in Indonesia, made it their mission to revolutionise the way individuals engage with the real estate market by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

Pinhome’s one-stop solution to challenges in the real estate space

With Pinhome’s one-stop solution, the platform helps address challenges faced by stakeholders through five key areas: finding properties, buying properties, owning properties, home maintenance services, and property development.

Pinhome has established partnerships with over 20,000 agents and forged relationships with more than 23 bank partners, enabling seamless transactions within the real estate market. With an extensive network, Pinhome offers access to over 1 million property listings, spanning over 90 per cent of the cities in Indonesia. Its comprehensive features, including advanced search capabilities and secure payment options, have positioned Pinhome as the preeminent choice for individuals navigating the real estate landscape. This recognition was further solidified as Pinhome emerged as the most downloaded application in the Real Estate and Home category on the Google Play Store in 2023, a testament to its user-friendly interface and unparalleled service offerings.

“Our commitment is to continue to provide services that can always be a solution for various property-related needs and make the user experience easy, effective, and fun with various innovative features on the Pinhome platform,” shared Fibriyani Elastria, CMO of Pinhome.

Due to their successes, Pinhome has recorded an increase in performance in their home service sector in 2023 and is expected to see higher returns in 2024.

Also read: Growing and transforming global greentechs for sustainability

To help us learn more about Pinhome’s successes, Dayu Dara Permata, CEO and Founder of Pinhome, will be discussing strategies and insights into the real estate market as well as the challenges faced by Pinhome that have led to its current success. With a wealth of experience and expertise, she will shed light on the innovative approaches adopted by Pinhome to address the unique challenges encountered in the Indonesian real estate market. From navigating regulatory complexities to harnessing the power of technology, Permata will offer invaluable perspectives on how Pinhome has successfully carved out its niche and cemented its status as a leading end-to-end property platform.

Moderated by Rama Mamuaya, CEO of DailySocial.id, the fireside chat promises to delve deep into the intricacies of Pinhome’s journey, exploring not only its successes but also the hurdles overcome along the way. Permata will share candid insights into the challenges faced by Pinhome, from initial inception to scaling operations, highlighting the lessons learned and the strategies employed to overcome obstacles. By offering a comprehensive overview of Pinhome’s trajectory, Permata’s discussion will provide invaluable learnings for entrepreneurs and industry professionals seeking to navigate the dynamic landscape of real estate in Indonesia and beyond.

This fireside chat will be happening at Echelon X taking place on 15 and 16 May at the Singapore EXPO.

Join us at Echelon X!

Gear up for the premier tech and innovation conference as Echelon X kicks off on May 15th and 16th, 2024, at the Singapore EXPO. This dynamic event will bring together industry leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region for two packed days.

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

Join us at Echelon 2024, where innovation knows no limits, and the possibilities are endless!

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The e27 Contributor Programme stands as one of our fastest-growing products. Over the past year, our community has expanded to encompass over 600 individual contributors, spanning founders, investors, startup and corporate employees, consultants, academics, and students. These contributors represent a diverse array of entities, including startups, funds, government institutions, schools, and organisations at the forefront of the tech and entrepreneurship sector.

In our ongoing commitment to providing contributors with effective tools to enhance their readership and impact, our product team has been tirelessly working to refine and develop experiences that facilitate article publication and management on e27.

With this latest update, we are thrilled to introduce the Content Dashboard, a comprehensive toolset aimed at assisting writers in managing, monitoring, sharing, and writing their articles.

Key updates to the Contributor Dashboard include:

New article management tool via Content Dashboard

Contributors can now effortlessly manage their articles directly from their user profile by accessing the “Manage Articles” feature located at the bottom of the “Your articles” feed. Within the Dashboard, contributors will be able to see their total published articles and view counts, alongside the ability to oversee drafts, pending submissions, and scheduled items. Additionally, contributors can conveniently submit new articles directly from the dashboard interface.

Also Read: e27 Contributor Programme in 2023: A thrilling journey through growth and innovation

Simplified monitoring of article views and social media sharing

The Content Dashboard provides contributors with a comprehensive overview of their published articles, complete with text previews and direct article links. Each article preview showcases its publication date and current view count, allowing contributors to stay informed about their content’s performance.

Moreover, contributors can effortlessly share articles across selected social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and conveniently copy article URLs with a single click.

These improvements were designed to improve user experience through a simplified interface featuring a consistent, responsive, and intuitive design.

Experience the new dashboard firsthand by clicking here. New to the programme? Learn more here. 

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