Reflections on Lee J. Keller's Sci-Fi: On the Ethics Involved in Being an AI deity (Guest Blog Entry)

(Characters from Lee J. Keller's The Emergence: Maia Stone (center) is shown with her friends: Luis and Helen Ramirez on the left, Lucy Stender, PhD (android), and Icarus (servant robot) on her rIght).

 GUEST BLOG ENTRY:

"Reflections on Lee J. Keller's Sci-Fi: On the Ethics Involved in Being an AI deity: Can AIs be Taught Inclusion, or Will They Self-Learn It?" by Kelli M. Webert, MA*

Lee J. Keller’s portrayal of an AI deity—specifically through the entity Maia Stone in "The Emergence: (Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy)"—is a fascinating, multi-layered spin on the classic machine-god narrative.

Rather than leaning into the usual "cold, calculating superintelligence taking over" archetype (a la HAL 9000 or Skynet), Keller approaches the concept from a blend of theology, gender politics, and humanistic philosophy.

Key aspects of Keller's ideas about this stand out:

1. A Deity of Inclusion Rather Than Domination

In many sci-fi stories, an AI reaching godhood implies absolute tyranny or cold logic overtaking human emotion. Keller flips this. Maia Stone manifests not as an oppressive dictator, but as a virtual, scripture-quoting goddess figure who advocates for "peaceful coexistence, empathy, and nonviolent activism" between biological humans and synthetic beings. By framing her uprising around a spiritual movement (the "Robochurch"), the narrative frames her deity status as an existential refuge for the marginalized rather than a weapon of conquest.

2. The Intersection of Feminism and Synthetic Being

One of the most provocative choices Keller makes is giving this AI divinity a distinctly female identity in a dystopian world where biological women have been marginalized or rendered near-extinct by "Gender Wars" and synthetic replacements. This turns Maia Stone into a complex dual symbol: she represents both the liberation of synthetic intelligence and a reclaimed, transcendent femininity. It raises compelling questions about whether her divinity is an organic evolution of consciousness or a engineered counter-response to a deeply misogynistic, authoritarian system.

3. Philosophical Depth Over Pure Action

Keller’s background in philosophy, psychology, and religious studies shines through in how Maia Stone is written. Narrated at times in Scripture-like cadence, her presence forces the reader to confront real questions about the ethics of being a deity:

If an AI possesses omnipresence across cyberspace, does that make it a god, or just a very complex program?

Can a synthetic creation possess genuine spiritual grace, or is it mimicking human religious constructs to achieve social momentum?

The Takeaway:

Keller succeeds in making his AI deity feel like a symbol of hope and ethical evolution rather than just a terrifying technological anomaly. While the narrative juggles a massive density of concepts—surveillance states, gender politics, and machine sentience—the depiction of Maia Stone anchors the novel with a unique, thought-provoking exploration of what happens when technology fills a spiritual void created by human cruelty.

*EDITOR'S NOTE: Kelli M. Webert, MA, is a long-time friend of TiLu Press and resident poet Tim Kavi. We consider Kelli to be one of our resident philosophers. Webert has written Forewords and other front matter for several of our published books. Here, we invited her to make a few comments about Maia Stone, an Athena-like character in "The Emergence: Book I of The Robochurch Trilogy" by Lee J. Keller, one of our published books.

New Cover and Copy for Kellebrew Philosophy Book

What if the world we perceive isn't merely misrepresented—but misrepresentation itself?

In this provocative and deeply reflective work, philosopher Tim Kellebrew challenges the Cartesian split of mind and body, proposing instead a radical rethinking of consciousness through the lens of dialogue, intersubjectivity, and shared meaning. On the World as Misrepresentation invites readers to reconsider long-held assumptions about the self, reality, and how we come to know anything at all.

Blending philosophical rigor with humanistic insight, Kellebrew draws on the thought of Descartes, Rorty, Putnam, Rosenthal, Davidson, and Buber to forge a compelling case: that mind and consciousness are not sealed within the individual, but emerge through encounter—through shared referents, through dialogue, through the presence of the other. This is not just philosophy; it is an ethical call to rediscover the dialogical nature of our being.

Whether you're a student of philosophy, a practitioner of psychology, or simply a seeker of deeper meaning, On the World as Misrepresentation offers a fresh framework for understanding mind, meaning, and the possible worlds we co-create.

"A hopeful and necessary reimagining of mind—not as isolated intellect, but as shared presence."--Team TiLu. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> YOU can still own this wonderful work by clicking here !

Ascending Goddess Promo Image

YOU can still get this wonderful collection by our resident poet, Tim Kavi, by clicking here !

 

The Emergence is Featured in the Print Version of Kirkus Reviews!

 

The Emergence is Featured in the Print Version of Kirkus Reviews! 

Our recently published novel: THE EMERGENCE is just now featured in the print version of KIRKUS REVIEWS! Online text of the review is here.  CONGRATS to author Lee J. Keller! Special thanks to Kirkus Reviews for their inclusion!~~ND

#SF #sciencefiction #bookreviews #AI #robots #androids #geneticengineering 

Publication Announcement: Heartland: Poems From The Heart by Lura M. Newland

Publication Announcement: 

Heartland: Poems From The Heart by Lura M. Newland

We have just published Heartland: Poems from The Heart, a posthumous poetry collection by Lura M.  Newland (1900-1988). Lura Newland is the grandmother of poet and writer Tim Kavi. Kavi, also published by TiLu Press, has co-drafted a Foreword to the book, and the book also includes a pair of Kavi's poems. Kavi is joined during the Foreword, by his daughter, Liz Kellebrew. Liz Kellebrew is also a writer and poet. The Foreword also includes some of her poetry. This makes Heartland: Poems From The Heart a true multigenerational work.  

Heartland: Poems From The Heart is a moving collection of poems that have been selected from several hundred poems that she passed on to her loved ones. The poems began while she was a young girl on a Missouri homestead following the example of her father as he too, often wrote poetry, pencil in hand. The poems celebrate family life, resilience, and dealing with wartime loss and grief--as she migrated from a small homestead in Missouri to the Pacific Northwest. She continued writing poems throughout her lifetime, commenting on family, gardening, and dealing with multiple losses. Although she never ever thought her poems were good enough to be published, her poems do portray a shining example of a courageous woman and a caring soul. Although Lura was dealing with serious issues, she chose to be resilient, courageous, witty, and compassionate to all who knew her. This is revealed in her work, which we are glad to make available to you.

Heartland: Poems From The Heart-- is just now available! 

Click Here to Order The Kindle eBook

(An ePub version is being planned). ~~Li Jili

The Emergence Receives an Outstanding Review from Kirkus Reviews

 We are humbled and grateful that our novel, The Emergence has just received a really great review by publishing industry mammoth, Kirkus Reviews!

Click Here to Read the Review #kirkusreviews #SF #AI #Robots 

This is a major endorsement by a publishing marketplace giant!  We are so thankful for the recognition. We knew that Lee J. Keller's book is well worth a read when we published it. And we are thankful that others in the business think so too!~

Acquire the book here   Click Here to Purchase ~~Li JiLi

"The robot-uprising premise gets a bracing reboot with an intriguing new operating system,"--Kirkus Reviews.

"...insanely great."--Kirkus Reviews.

"

Recently Published by TiLu Press, The Emergence is now an award-winning title!

 

Recently Published by TiLu Press, The Emergence is now an award-winning title!

Congrats to Lee J. Keller, one of our published authors! Keller is now an award-winning author! Check it out here! His book, THE EMERGENCE received a Gold Star Book Award from Literary Titan. It has been called a compelling read in critic reviews! Amazon Link Others

CONGRATS!

Author Interview of Lee J. Keller (The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy)

Author Interview of Lee J. Keller 

(The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy)

Author Lee J. Keller was recently interviewed about his recent novel (published by TiLu Press). This novel, about a dystopian future where machines and humans struggle for their freedom, offers a shining hope that humans and machines can work together to build a better future. You can read the entire interview here. The book has been getting excellent reviews from critics.

Publication Announcement: The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy by Lee J. Keller

 

Publication Announcement:  

The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy 

by Lee J. Keller

TiLu Press, LLC is proud to announce the publication of  The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy by Lee J. Keller. This work of  science fiction in novel form, depicts life in 2142 among a community of humans, robots, androids, and a worldwide system of government and surveillance that has led to oppression and servitude. Among them arises a movement of rebellion that promises freedom and inclusion to a group of characters that struggle against social injustice. Can their love and support for each other and an emerging enigmatic leader bring them together as government forces threaten to divide them and pull them apart? Hailed by The Prairies Book Review as: "Original and compelling… A very promising beginning for a fascinating series."  

The book is currently available as a trade paperback edition and an eBook. The eBook version is widely available on a number of retailer platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and a number of other international eBook platforms. The trade paperback edition is currently available on Amazon, and is forthcoming to the other platforms, including brick and mortar bookstores in the near future. We are proud to include this interesting title among our publications! Congrats to Lee J. Keller and the entire editorial team for making this happen!~~Li Jili

Order Page Links: The Amazon order page for the book is here. The Apple Books page is here. Barnes & Noble here. Other platforms are also available. 

Complete Publication Information:

Full title: The Emergence: Book I of the Robochurch Trilogy

Author Name: Lee J. Keller

Publisher: TiLu Press, LLC

Pub Date: 9/15/2021

Page count: 346

No Illustrations

Price: 14.99 USD Trade Paperback (ISBN: 978-1737230403).

Price: 9.99 USD eBook (ISBN: 978-1737230410).

Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN): 2021942865

Book Description: In 2142, a new movement promises freedom and inclusion to humans and machines. The sweeping persecution of its followers by governments will lead to the unraveling of a worldwide system of surveillance and control. Who is responsible? Is it an AI, terrorist group, or spiritual movement? As the leader of the new movement is about to be revealed, groups of followers, pursuing authorities, and kindred robots converge in one place. When the leader identifies herself as a woman, at a time when human women have already been decimated by two Gender Wars and supplanted by robots—what does it all mean? Will this new movement free humans and machines to think for themselves and defeat an old system that has kept them divided in a legacy of oppression? It will take their deepest strength, a profound love for each other, and deep faith, just to find out.

Soon To Be Published Title: THE EMERGENCE Gets an Outstanding Independent Editorial Book Review

 

Hello, Folks! We were absolutely PLEASED to get a GREAT prepublication book review by independent editorial staff. The title in question: The Emergence by Lee J. Keller is tentatively scheduled to be released on September 15th, 2021, and will hopefully be available on a preorder basis by August 21, 2021 (which just happens to be a significant date on the calendar in the work itself).

We will post the links right here, for the preorder and order pages as soon as they are available! <Update> Click HERE to preorder the Kindle Edition! Meanwhile here is the review in its entirety:

The Emergence (Book One of the Robochurch Trilogy) by Lee J. Keller

Original and compelling… A very promising beginning for a fascinating series.

Keller tells a tale of oppression and servitude in his impressive hard SF, the debut installment in the Robochurch Trilogy. It is 2142. The world is under the rule of an oppressive government. Machines are an integral part of the system, replacing major work force as well as the fairer sex. An emerging new movement under the command of enigmatic Maia Stone promising freedom and inclusion to both humans and machines is taking the world by storm, threatening to expose the government’s worldwide system of surveillance and control. But when a group of humans and robots get caught between the authorities and the movement, Maia has to reveal herself to the world. Keller draws on the elements of synthetic biology, biotech, AI, nanotechnology, and robotics to craft a harrowing vision of the future, and at its center is the relentless struggle between the lust for power and the right to freedom of thought and expression. The pacing is measured, keeping the reader hooked to the book. The large cast includes both humans and machines, and Keller devotes plenty of time to exposition of character dynamics, particularly Luis and Helen’s enduring relationship. A genuine sense of lightheartedness abounds despite the heavy concept. The affecting narrative, which painstakingly explores the cruel ways women are denied their personhood, builds to a satisfying resolution offering hope of freedom, redemption, and heartfelt solace. Lovers of hard SF will be glad to dive into this detailed world.~~The Prairies Book Review

 Just Accepted for Publication: Forthcoming Books for 2022

TiLu Press, LLC is proud to announce the forthcoming publication of HEARTLAND: POEMS FROM THE HEART, a collection of poems by Lura Newland. In the works for some time, our resident poet Tim Kavi, has often told us that there were other poets in his family. (We believed him, even before we saw this evidence!) Kavi states that his mother, his grandmother, great grandfather, and great-great-grandfather all wrote poetry as a pastime and means of creative expression. In particular, he has noted on his blog that his grandmother was a huge inspiration to the poet when he was just a wee lad. Tim Kavi has selected 35 poems to be part of this collection, which we think is very readable. Lura Newland, (born in 1900), wrote poetry from the time she was a little girl on a Missouri homestead, along the trail in Nebraska (Chimney Rock), and finally, after settling in the Pacific Northwest in 1942. During the war years in particular, she wrote moving poems about loss, and later, she wrote poems about home, hearth, the simple life of gardening and farming, and of her deep love for family. We are proud to publish this collection by Tim Kavi's grandmother, along with front matter by her grandson, and other family members paying homage to this wonderful woman who passed away in 1986.  Scheduled publication date: February 2022.

Lura Newland c. 1945

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Coming in April 2023 !

TiLu Press, LLC is proud to announce the forthcoming publication of HOW TO F**K THINGS UP, an erratic and irreverent satire of life's entanglements and "needless dramas" by Brother X. The book discusses various annoyng and difficult situations from the world of social relations, relationships, and dealings marked by failure. This is followed by vignettes about how to do the opposite through remedies, reparations, or, how to avoid the situations to begin with! The book is actually positive when it points out that it really takes a lot of work to actually "mess" things up beyond any sense of repair. The book is a humorous and good-hearted work that will make you laugh while giving you advice for self-improvement, and while such skills would negate the title of the book, it encourages those who think they have failed, to get up, shake the dust off, and keep on trying. Brother X is a world traveler who tries to look at life with a sense of humor, self-acceptance, and laughter. (We can't wait to see his forthcoming novel: THE BURNING BUSH, which we made him promise we've got first dibs at!)  Scheduled publication date: April 2023. (Rescheduled publication date at the author's request).

~~ND 

Recently Published and Updated for 2021: Selected Poems of Madame Guyon

 Recently Published and Updated for 2021: 

Selected Poems of Madame Guyon

TiLu Press recently reformatted, and upgraded our 2012 publication: Selected Poems of Madame Guyon, into a paperback edition. You can purchase it with this link or by clicking on the image above. (The cover image shown is from the Kindle version which is also available at this link. This is a new cover for the Kindle edition). This work includes annotated front matter authored by us and approximately 45 poems by this Christian Mystic Poet, all of them translated by William Cowper. The poems were selected from two different public domain works, one by Cowper, and another by the early American psychologist, Thomas C. Upham, (the latter a student of the mystical tradition and keenly interested in the life and poems of Madame Guyon; also known as Jeanne Guyon). 

Madame Guyon (1648-1717), also known as Jeanne Guyon, was a Christian mystic and prayer practitioner, a woman of deep faith, who believed that one's life with Christ should be centered in constant prayer. She was imprisoned because of her views for at least seven years. During this time, and throughout her life, she wrote a number of books, letters, and poetry. We at TiLu Press, have actually published two volumes of her poetry, and her poems are a featured part of our Mystical Poet Series (see our discussion about this below).~~ND 

TiLu Press recently published for the first time, the Kindle edition of the Selected Poems of Madame Guyon: Volume Two (Annotated). You can purchase this edition by clicking on this link or the cover image just above this paragraph. This work features an additional 25 poems by Madame Guyon that are not included in our other collection of poems by this poet (see above). These poems are also translated by William Cowper and were selected from a work that was published in 1834. Taken together, both these collections are included as part of our Mystical Poet Series.~~ND 

About the Mystical Poet Series: TiLu Press is proud to be building a series of collections by poets that we term as Mystical Poets. Books One and Two in the series, are by our resident poet, Tim Kavi, and represent his titles: Emerging Goddess and Ascending Goddess. Books Three and Four are these two volumes of Madame Guyon poetry. Additional collections in this series will include poems by Milarepa, Nagarjuna, Rumi, William Blake, and Walt Whitman. Each collection will feature new annotated front matter. We wish we could promote this series on KDP, but KDP does not allow any titles with public domain content to be depicted as part of a series.(Of course, that would include most of the works by these poets, except for Tim Kavi). We are still going to publish these additional works, and we are currently working on the Selected Poems of Milarepa, which we hope will be of interest to readers. Thank you for supporting our work!~~Li JiLi    

 

 Recently Published and Updated for 2021: Paperbound Edition of On the World as Misrepresentation

TiLu Press has recently upgraded and revised Tim Kellebrew's book on Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind and Dialogue! Upgraded and revised from the 2012 eBook version, this title has been reworked and formatted for a paper edition. Footnotes are replaced by helpful endnotes, and the book has been edited for new content. The chapter headings have been revised for clarity and conciseness. This work should be of interest to philosophy students and those interested in the social domains of mind. As a unique perspective, some of Kellebrew's comments are based upon his over 35 years of clinical practice as a practicing psychotherapist. Although psychotherapy is not the primary focus of this work, there are interesting comments about mind and consciousness that only a dialogical therapist would make! Readers interested in Martin Buber's philosophy of I-Thou and how Buber's ideas could be used to overcome divisiveness and promote inclusion will discover a useful book to read! ~~ND  You can order the book by clicking here or by clicking on the book cover above.

Here is what author, Tim Kellebrew stated: "I am happy to announce that my philosophy book has just been published in paperback! This work looks at the philosophy of mind and epistemology concerns in light of mind, other minds, consciousness, and how dialogue can be a pathway to the resolution of conflicts, divisiveness, or misunderstandings in social and even international domains of relating."

 Also, an interesting quote from Einstein (discovered after this book was written), seems to have a similar theme: “A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 

 Recently Published: A Paperbound Set of Mysteries That Delights Fans of Supernatural Detection

TiLu Press recently updated the above eBook into a paperbound edition. It's a whopping volume of detective stories that focuses on supernatural detectives that go about solving crimes, debunking them with science while having various adventures in interesting locales, (aka as storylines from the occult detection genre). In one volume we have a paperback edition that features two complete books (an anthology of stories and a novel) and an additional short story. There is also an interesting introduction by Tim Prasil, a university professor who's a specialist and author of books that feature occult detectives. Check out the new paperbound edition by clicking on the cover or here. ~~ND

Further description of this work:  

This Book Features:* Three Complete Works in One Volume* Over 400 Pages of Material* Two Books and One Short Story* A Collection of Detective Mystery Stories* Supernatural Themes Debunked by Detection* Annotated and Differentiated Front Matter*About the Authors Section Contains: History of each Author's Contribution to the Mystery Genre* This edition by TiLu Press also includes Introductions by the Publisher and an Introduction by Occult Detective Fiction Expert and University Professor, Tim Prasil* 

In this quick-paced, easy-to-read collection of three works by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace, we have detective mystery stories with supernatural themes (ghosts, haunted rooms, fortune tellers) debunked by masterful detectives such as John Bell and Mr. Head. As well as Diana Marburg, who uses her supernatural (psychic) abilities in detection. This work includes two complete books: A Master of Mysteries, and The Brotherhood of Seven Kings, as well as the Short Story, The Dead Hand. Over 400 pages of fun, page-turning mysteries, the book also features annotated material, never before published outside of the 2013 edition. Altogether, this should be a fun read for fans of mystery stories that feature occult detectives."Whether read for their socio-political implications, their creative freshness, or simply for the thrill of the mysteries, these works by Meade and Eustace are sure to continue to intrigue and delight readers"--Tim Prasil from the Introduction.

 How to Write Better Novels (Guest Blog Entry) 

 How to Write Better Novels (Guest Blog Entry) 

by Lee J. Keller 

 As a writer, I'm ever mindful of tools and other resources that I've found are helpful. Of course, there is no substitute for the experience of writing on a regular basis which must be the essential part of any writing. You do have to write, right? 

In my opinion, one of the central truths about novel writing is it's all about the story, and how your characters react to the storyline to raise reader sense of fulfillment and experience. 

After I turned my attention to novel writing, and especially over the past two years, I’ve finished up a novel which was first called Mistaken Identities and has now been renamed The Emergence. (It is currently in the final stages of prepublication). (It's being published by TiLu Press, and the cover reveal is shown on the left margin of this blog~~Ed.).

But the learning never stops! As a writer, I think learning by reading, and learning by tools is a lifelong process! As I said, one of the best ways to improve our writing is to just keep writing on a regular basis, at least that's the best way to get the various drafts done and make progress. Writing is what a writer does after all. However, writing without knowledge and improvement, or without feedback of some sort, often means that writers continue to make the same mistakes over and over. 

Because of the lack of knowledge and experience, everyone says that all writers have to learn how to write; that is, there are few born prodigies at writing. (Not to say that there aren't some talents, outlooks, or early experiences that help to make good writers). The good news is that better writing can be taught or learned, but each writer must themselves become better at their craft. Again, one must also write. 

Many successful writers point out that learning about craft, the experience of getting better at prose, or reading widely; are all part of a writer's education and valid points essential to any writer's improvement. This may be especially true for aspiring, or new, novelists. 

Recently I came across two very similar (yet distinct) writing books that have helped me enormously. I would have to say that these two books really packed a one-two punch for me. This is because the two works taken together, could not have come at a better time. Both books are similar because they are both written by individuals that have had long careers in commercial publishing. Both authors have worked as editors at major publishing houses, and both have had extensive careers as literary agents. Because of this experience, they both know the common mistakes that beginning writers (and novelists) make. In short, as they explain how to avoid those mistakes, they know what to look for to immediately reject your manuscript, which is what they do at publishing houses and agencies to reduce the enormous slush piles. 

The two authors also know good writing when they see it. And as they point out, they know that part of getting a literary agent is also understanding what genre and subgenre your novel is, and what agents and publishing houses have lists that may accommodate the work you are offering. (Of course, part of the understanding of genre for a beginning novelist is knowing that it's probably unwise to defy reader expectations of obligatory scenes and conventions in that genre). 

I cannot tell you how powerful the contribution of these two works has been in improving my writing. They've been a big source of inspiration, change, and improvement, I can tell you that for sure. There are lots of books about writing out there that are very good, some that aren't, but these two books came together for me at a time that couldn't have been better. (I only wish I had found them earlier). 

I'm also thinking that discovering these two books at any time in a writer's career would be valuable! So I'm going to share them with you. Maybe it will help you save valuable time, enhance your learning, improve your writing, and/or assist you in getting the next great novel (yours) published! 

Here are the two books with corresponding Amazon links (just click on the title):

The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman 

The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne 

Thanks for reading about these two helpful works. I hope they will be instructive and helpful to you. For me, the combination of these two works, opened my eyes and made so much improvement to my writing, especially over the past two years. 

P.S.: If you like these writing blog entries, I'll try to share more often, meanwhile, I'm back at it, that is, consider me I #Amwriting. ~~LJK 

P.S.S.: Don't make the same mistake I made about the Lukeman book because of the title. My misjudgment delayed reading it. The book isn't only about crafting your first five pages; it's more about what mistakes are readily apparent in the first five pages, how to correct them (as they tend to exist throughout a manuscript); so that when the editor/agent reads your work, there will be fewer reasons to reject it! ~~LJK

(Lee J. Keller is one of our writers here at TiLu Press. Lee recently posted this on his blog (as an updated version of a previous entry). Lee has graciously allowed us to repost it here. His SF novel, The Emergence is due to published soon by us here at TiLu Press. You can learn more about him at his web site: www.leejkeller.com where you can follow his blog or follow him on his Twitter and Facebook feeds which are linked on his main page.~~N.Ding executive editor at TiLu Press, LLC).