Nigerian Novel ‘The God Weaver’ Hits Top 10 on Amazon – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

Duke Terry Gbande’s novel The God Weaver has risen to tenth place on Amazon’s Myths and Legends best-seller list, weeks after its launch in Abuja, with its use of artificial intelligence sparking debate over creativity and authorship.

The novel, launched at the XL Creative Hub in Abuja, is an adaptation of a screenplay of the same title by director Tejiri Awanovwe.

Gbande, an engineer specializing in artificial intelligence, said he used artificial intelligence as a tool to write the book, a process that was part of discussions at the launch.

The event featured a live podcast hosted by JustBarny, where writers and other professionals examined the role of artificial intelligence in creative writing.

The novel follows Omolara, a self-taught fashion designer estranged from her family’s mysterious legacy.

Her life takes an unexpected turn when a forgotten dress changes her best friend’s fortunes, forcing the two women to face the cost of what they were given.

The story is inspired by the mythology of Oshun, rooted in Yoruba tradition surrounding the goddess associated with rivers, love and abundance.

Its themes have drawn comparisons to Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi’s novel, which also explores Yoruba mythology and is set for a Hollywood adaptation.

Speaking at the presentation, poet and journalist Dr Emman Usman Shehu said that artificial intelligence relies on existing models, but that the writer’s decisions determine the meaning of a creative work.

“You don’t give up your creativity to the machine,” Shehu said.

Performance lawyer and poet James Eneojile said that readers are connected to the personal experiences reflected in a writer’s work.

“The problem is not AI itself, but its use,” Eneojile said.

Entrepreneur Ani Ugochukwu Bob has also described AI as helping his thinking, highlighting the need for professional judgment when making important decisions.

The panelists agreed that while AI can assist the writing process, the author remains responsible for the emotional depth and meaning of the story.

The novel’s Amazon ranking juxtaposed debate over AI-assisted writing with questions about how Nigerian stories rooted in indigenous mythology can reach a wider audience.

The book’s journey from screenplay to novel also highlights the movement of stories through creative formats, with the possibility of returning to the screen.

However, its ranking alone does not establish the size of readership or sales, as bestseller positions on Amazon can change and depend on the category.