The advent of powerful generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the way we create and consume artistic works, including artists’ books. This research explores the impacts of generative AI on independent publishing and book arts. 

Powerful new models like GPT-3 have the potential to transform creative workflows, raising questions around automation's role and preserving human craftsmanship. Through conceptual prototypes and speculative interfaces, this study reveals opportunities and critical challenges when adopting generative techniques. Integrating GPT-3, the prototypes demonstrate AI's capabilities for enhancing ideation and production, while highlighting issues like training bias. This research aims to contribute frameworks promoting thoughtful human-machine teamwork in this context. Drawing from computational creativity research, the prototypes are evaluated for different types of exhibited creativity. By exploring the partnerships between generative models and artisanal creation, findings uncover strategies for ethical co-invention. The speculative prototypes of creative bookworks encourage discussion on emerging impacts of automation on creative roles. By revealing the current limitations and potential of AI automation, this research provides a conceptual foundation and prompts further interdisciplinary work at the intersection of independent publishing, book arts, and artificial intelligence, further exploring the codex as a site for research and creation.