ChatGPT and Robert, whimisical picture

I recently got a marketing email that suggested that I put this prompt into ChatGPT:

Tell me about author Robert J. McCarter. What do they write? Who are their books for? What themes come up in their work, and what are readers saying about them?

The intent of the email was to sell me a service to manage my social media, which I am not active on at all (and really don't want to be, Patreon works for me, but traditional social media doesn't). The question, though was interesting. What does the internet think about my writing? Is there enough there to give an AI something to work with?

The result is below. It's a fairly surreal experience and my feelings on it are mixed. I mean, it got a lot right and I'm glad there is enough on the internet so ChatGPT can produce the equivalent of a Wikipedia page, but it's also a little uncomfortable given how introverted I am.

That said, it's a pretty good overview of my writing and is just focused on my writing (or I wouldn't be posting it).

Here it is:

Robert J. McCarter is an independent novelist best known for writing genre-blending fiction that mixes science fiction, fantasy, paranormal elements, mysteries, superheroes, and character-driven drama. Rather than staying in one genre, he has built several interconnected series alongside standalone novels and short story collections. (Robert J. McCarter)

What does he write?

His catalog spans several styles:

  • Science fiction – Stories exploring AI, space travel, technology, and the future, such as Seeing Forever, The Last Flight of the Acurus, and The Turing Test Will Be Televised.

  • Paranormal fiction – Ghost-centered novels like the A Ghost's Memoir series and Drawing the Dead.

  • Mystery – Detective fiction with unusual twists, including the Conner Bright Mysteries and the Walter Anchor Ghost Detective series, where the detective is himself a ghost trying to solve his own murder.

  • Superhero fiction – The Neutrinoman and Lightningirl books combine superhero action with romance.

  • Fantasy and adventure – Including Hollow Earth stories and collections featuring mythical creatures.

  • Short story collections – Books such as Anomalous Readings, Life After, Creatures Featured, and Winter Wonders showcase a mix of speculative genres. (Robert J. McCarter)

Who are the books for?

McCarter's books are generally aimed at adult readers, though many are accessible to older teens because they emphasize adventure and relationships over graphic content.

They tend to appeal to readers who enjoy:

  • speculative fiction with emotional depth

  • mysteries with paranormal or supernatural twists

  • optimistic science fiction

  • serialized characters and connected universes

  • books that mix humor, romance, suspense, and philosophical questions

His writing isn't primarily "hard sci-fi" or horror. Instead, it leans toward character-focused speculative fiction where unusual premises support emotional stories. (Robert J. McCarter)

Common themes

Across his many series, several recurring ideas appear:

  • Life, death, and what comes after. Ghosts, the afterlife, unfinished business, and grief are central to several novels.

  • Identity. Characters often wrestle with who they are after dramatic changes—becoming a ghost, gaining powers, or living alongside advanced technology.

  • Love and relationships. Romantic partnerships are frequently as important as the action, especially in the Neutrinoman and Lightningirl books.

  • Hope and redemption. Many protagonists are flawed people seeking second chances rather than traditional heroes.

  • Community and family. Small-town settings and close relationships appear repeatedly, particularly in the Carterville stories.

  • Science alongside humanity. Even when exploring AI or futuristic technology, the emotional consequences remain the focus. (Robert J. McCarter)

What are readers saying?

While McCarter isn't a household-name bestseller, readers who discover his work tend to respond positively. His books on Goodreads average around 4.1 stars overall, with several individual titles scoring even higher, though many have relatively modest numbers of ratings compared with mainstream authors. (Goodreads)

Common praise includes:

  • memorable, likable characters

  • creative genre mashups

  • inventive supernatural and science-fiction concepts

  • emotionally satisfying stories

  • engaging mystery plots

Some readers also note that:

  • the books often prioritize character relationships over fast-paced action

  • the blend of genres may not suit readers looking for pure mystery, pure science fiction, or pure horror

  • as an independent author, his books have a smaller readership and less mainstream visibility than comparable traditionally published series. (Goodreads)

Where to start

Depending on your interests:

  • For paranormal mystery: Shuffled Off (the beginning of A Ghost's Memoir)

  • For detective fiction: Detecting Haley (Walter Anchor Ghost Detective)

  • For science fiction: Seeing Forever

  • For superhero romance: Neutrinoman and Lightningirl: Season 1

  • For a sampling of his style: Anomalous Readings or Life After. (Robert J. McCarter)

Overall, Robert J. McCarter's work is characterized by its willingness to cross genre boundaries while keeping the focus on ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Readers who enjoy speculative fiction with strong emotional and relational threads are the audience most likely to connect with his novels.

The above image was created by ChatGPT to specifically go with its summary of my writing. It should be noted: that the man in the picture is not me, but he is close in age; none of those books covers you see in the image are correct; but overall it's pretty cool.

See my posts on AI in Creativity for more thoughts on images like this.