The AI revolution in book publishing has become an increasingly relevant topic, particularly for self-published authors. Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded from being a niche interest to a central point of discussion, reflecting its growing impact on various aspects of the industry. From generating text and assisting in editing to providing marketing tools and audiobook narration, AI is reshaping how books are created, published, and consumed.
The AI Revolution in Book Publishing, by Thad McIlroy.
Today's advice post from the Alliance of Independent Authors, explores these changes, drawing on insights from Thad McIlroy's book, The AI Revolution in Book Publishing, as well as perspectives from industry professionals such as Kathryn Goldman, Alessandra Torre, Kevin Stillwell, and Dan Gerstein. By examining the potential and challenges of integrating AI into the publishing process, this piece aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what AI means for self-published authors today.
The Rise of AI Startups Targeting Authors
One of the critical takeaways from McIlroy's work is the vast array of AI startups focused on the publishing industry, particularly those catering to authors. He notes that 70 percent of AI-related startups in the book publishing space target authors rather than publishers. This focus underscores the growing recognition of the self-publishing sector as a significant market.
Tools offered by these startups include AI-generated voices, book discovery platforms, and applications that assist with personal library management and reading tracking. These innovations are designed to support authors in creating, refining, and promoting their work, offering new ways to engage with readers.
AI Tools for Authors
In the “AI for Authors” section, McIlroy explores the numerous applications of AI in the authoring process. These range from generating new book ideas and fine-tuning stories to providing developmental editing and proofreading services. AI can also assist with illustration, cover design, and even creating marketing materials such as press releases and social media content.
McIlroy argues that self-published authors are at the forefront of adopting these technologies, often more willing to experiment and innovate than traditional publishers. This openness positions them to drive significant changes in how books are created and marketed.
The Broader Implications of AI on Publishing
McIlroy also discusses the broader implications of AI on the book publishing industry. He suggests that while traditional publishers may view AI as a tool for minor efficiencies, the real transformative potential lies in the hands of self-published authors. These authors are less encumbered by the traditional industry's constraints and can fully leverage AI to enhance their productivity and reach. However, McIlroy cautions that AI's impact on book quality and reader demand remains uncertain, as AI-generated content may not yet meet the standards expected by readers.
Economic Landscape and the Growth of Self-Publishing
The economic landscape of the publishing industry is another area McIlroy examines, noting the financial challenges faced by both authors and publishing professionals. He highlights the declining margins and stagnating sales in traditional publishing, contrasting it with the growing income opportunities for self-published authors. The rise of alternative formats like ebooks and audiobooks has provided a lifeline, particularly for indie authors who can directly access these markets.
McIlroy emphasizes that self-publishing has become a significant driver of growth in the trade publishing sector, with self-published titles accounting for a substantial portion of sales on platforms like Kobo.
The Digital Shift and Changing Consumer Preferences
McIlroy touches on the evolving nature of the publishing ecosystem, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. The rise of platforms like Wattpad and Inkitt illustrates the shift towards digital and online reading experiences, particularly among younger audiences. These platforms not only democratize content creation but also leverage AI to recommend and curate content, making it more accessible and relevant to diverse readers.
McIlroy concludes that as the publishing industry continues to evolve, self-published authors who embrace these technological innovations will be better positioned to succeed in an increasingly digital and competitive marketplace.
Industry Opinions
The insights from McIlroy's book are echoed in the experiences and opinions of several industry professionals, as shared in interviews with ALLi Content and Communications Manager Howard Lovy on his Creating Better Books podcast.
Kathryn Goldman, Creative Law Center
Kathryn Goldman
Kathryn Goldman, a seasoned intellectual property attorney and the head of the Creative Law Center, supports creative professionals and entrepreneurs in protecting their intellectual property. With over thirty-five years of experience in copyright, trademark, and business law, Goldman specializes in counseling and transactional work, especially for independent creatives and self-published authors.
On Howard Lovy's Creating Better Books podcast, Goldman discusses the current era of artificial intelligence as both exciting and challenging for copyright law.
“The U.S. Copyright Office currently does not recognize AI-generated content as eligible for copyright protection,” she said.
This means that if an entire book or any creative work is generated solely by AI, it cannot be copyrighted.
However, Goldman emphasizes that there are ways for authors to use AI tools without forfeiting copyright protection. The key, she explains, is ensuring that the human author is the “controlling creative force” behind the work. For instance, if an author uses AI to outline a book or refine certain aspects but retains control over the final content, the work may still qualify for copyright protection.
Goldman highlights a notable case where the Copyright Office made a distinction in a graphic novel: the text, written by a human, was protected, as were the decisions regarding the selection, sequence, and arrangement of AI-generated images. However, the images themselves were not granted copyright protection since they were created by AI.
“The Copyright Office said the text is protected by copyright, and the selection, sequence, and arrangement of the images is also protected by copyright because that involved the human making creative decisions,” she explained.
This case illustrates the current legal stance that human creativity must be the primary factor in the creation process for copyright protection to apply. She also points out that the rapidly evolving nature of AI in creative fields means that legal frameworks and guidelines are still catching up. The boundaries between human and AI contributions need further clarification, especially regarding what constitutes sufficient human involvement in a creative work.
Goldman’s perspective reflects a cautious but optimistic view of AI’s role in the industry. She acknowledges the potential of AI as a tool for authors while underscoring the importance of human creativity in maintaining the integrity and protection of their work. As the industry continues to evolve, she anticipates more detailed guidance and case law to shape the future of AI in publishing.
Alessandra Torre, Authors A.I.
Alessandra Torre
Alessandra Torre, co-founder and president of Authors A.I., brings a wealth of experience as a hybrid author and AI enthusiast. She writes romance under her own name and suspense under the pseudonym A. R. Torre. Torre has been self-publishing since 2012 and has achieved notable success, including hitting the New York Times bestseller list multiple times. In 2019, she co-founded Authors A.I., a company that utilizes artificial intelligence to provide editorial feedback and assist authors with their manuscripts.
On the Creating Better Books podcast, Torre discusses the distinction between classic AI, which is primarily analytical, and generative AI, which creates content based on learned data.
She explains, “Generative AI is where a lot of controversy is, especially in the creative spaces.”
Unlike generative AI, which can generate text, art, or other creative outputs, Authors A.I.’s Marlowe focuses solely on analytical functions. It provides authors with data-driven insights into their manuscripts, helping them understand elements such as plot structure, character development, and writing style.
One of the significant advantages of using Marlowe, according to Torre, is its ability to offer non-biased feedback. “Marlowe can tell you that your book is slow in the middle, but it can’t give you ideas of how to fix that,” she said. This limitation underscores the complementary nature of AI tools and human editors, as Marlowe’s analysis can support and enhance the feedback provided by a human editor but cannot replace the nuanced understanding and creativity that human editors bring.
Torre acknowledges the skepticism that many authors feel toward AI, especially with the rise of generative tools like ChatGPT.
She noted, “When ChatGPT came out, that really threw a bomb into everything in our world, because suddenly everyone was aware of AI, and for the most part, alarmed by AI.”
Despite these concerns, she emphasizes that Marlowe does not use authors’ work to train its AI and that it does not generate content, thus avoiding many ethical and legal issues associated with generative AI. Instead, Marlowe analyzes manuscripts to provide authors with valuable insights that can improve their work.
For self-published authors, Marlowe offers a unique advantage by providing a detailed analysis of their manuscripts at various stages of the writing process. Torre herself uses Marlowe to analyze her drafts, noting its usefulness in identifying overused words and cliches.
“For me, it’s extremely helpful,” Torre said. This tool can be particularly beneficial for authors who cannot afford traditional editorial services, offering a cost-effective alternative that still provides valuable feedback.
Looking ahead, Torre sees a bright future for AI in the publishing industry, particularly in the realm of book discovery. She envisions a system where AI can recommend books based on a reader’s specific preferences, leveling the playing field for indie authors.
“Where I would really love is for us to be in a world where indie books are on the same equal footing as traditionally published books,” Torre said.
This vision highlights the potential of AI to democratize the publishing industry, making it easier for readers to discover quality books regardless of the author’s publishing status.
Kevin Stillwell, Lantern
Kevin Stillwell
Kevin Stillwell, an experienced actor and narrator, is the indie book publishing producer for Lantern, a company that offers various audiobook production services. Having narrated over a thousand titles since 2011, Stillwell brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, especially after Lantern’s merger with John Marshall Media. As the head of Lantern’s Self-Publishing Division, Stillwell oversees the production and distribution of audiobooks for self-published authors, small and mid-size independent publishers, and hybrid publishers.
In his conversation on the Creating Better Books podcast, Stillwell discusses the use of AI in audiobook narration. He acknowledges that there is a place for AI narrators but expresses skepticism about the current state of the technology.
“The thing that’s missing is what you and I are doing right now. I can change my mood, my delivery, my attitude in mid-thought, in mid-sentence, in mid-word. AI can’t do that,” Stillwell said.
He emphasizes that while AI can simulate human speech, it lacks the nuance and emotional depth that human narrators bring to a performance. This limitation makes it challenging for AI to fully replicate the experience of a human narrator, especially in fiction where emotional engagement is critical.
Stillwell also points out that the decision to use AI narrators often comes down to budget and quality considerations. He suggests that while AI narrators may be a more cost-effective option for some, they do not yet match the quality and authenticity of human narrators.
“It may one day,” Stillwell added, indicating that while the technology may improve, it currently falls short of the human touch that is essential in delivering a compelling audiobook experience.
Despite the potential for AI to play a role in audiobook production, Stillwell remains confident in the value of human narrators, especially for authors who want a high-quality product. He notes that human narrators can adapt to the material and convey emotions in a way that AI cannot. This adaptability is crucial for bringing a story to life, whether it involves shifting tones or capturing complex emotional nuances. As a result, Stillwell believes that human narrators will continue to be a preferred choice for many authors, particularly those who value the quality of their audiobook production.
Stillwell’s insights highlight a key consideration for authors in the audiobook industry: the balance between cost and quality. While AI offers a potential cost-saving alternative, it may not yet provide the same level of engagement and emotional depth as human narrators. As the technology evolves, this balance may shift, but for now, the human element remains a critical component of the audiobook experience.
Dan Gerstein, Gotham Ghostwriters
Dan Gerstein
Dan Gerstein, CEO of Gotham Ghostwriters, brings a wealth of experience from a varied writing career, including roles as a sports reporter, speechwriter, and communications advisor. Gotham Ghostwriters specializes in connecting clients with professional writers for a wide range of writing needs, from books to speeches. Gerstein’s company plays a unique role in the industry by offering a curated matchmaking service, ensuring that clients are paired with writers who not only have the right skills but also mesh well in terms of style and personality.
On the Creating Better Books podcast, Gerstein discusses the growing interest and concern surrounding AI technology. He outlines a three-tiered view of how AI could affect different levels of the editorial services marketplace. At the most basic level, he predicts that generative AI will “decimate” the market for simple copywriting and content marketing tasks that are currently outsourced to freelancers, often at low rates.
“Those jobs, those gigs are going away because AI can do it for free and arguably more reliably, as well as more cheaply,” Gerstein said.
In the middle tier, where writing requires more sophistication but remains short-form, Gerstein envisions a transformation in the role of writers. Instead of being replaced, writers may become “synthesizers and editors,” using AI to generate content that they then refine and polish. This shift could lead to a new set of skills required for writers, focusing on quality control and voice consistency. Gerstein sees this change not as a loss of jobs but as an evolution in the role of writers, who will leverage AI to increase their productivity and efficiency.
At the elite level, which includes ghost-writing for books and speeches, Gerstein remains optimistic about the future. He believes that AI cannot replicate the nuanced, creative dialogue that happens between a client and a high-level writer before any writing begins.
“All that requires creativity and strategic thinking that you can’t generate from a prompt,” Gerstein said.
He also suggests that AI could make professional ghost-writers more efficient, enabling them to take on more projects and potentially earn more.
Gerstein’s insights highlight a nuanced view of AI’s role in the industry. While acknowledging the potential disruptions at lower levels, he emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human creativity and strategic thinking in high-quality writing. He suggests that AI’s impact may vary significantly across different types of writing work, with some areas seeing more profound changes than others. Overall, Gerstein is cautiously optimistic, seeing AI as a tool that could enhance rather than replace the work of skilled writers.
As the writing industry continues to evolve, Gerstein believes that the demand for high-quality, personalized content will remain strong. He points out that the sheer volume of content, exacerbated by AI-generated materials, will make standout, well-crafted work even more valuable. In this context, he anticipates a growing need for professional ghost-writers and editors who can elevate content above the generic and mundane. This perspective underscores a broader trend in the industry: the increasing importance of quality and expertise in a landscape flooded with content.
Gerstein’s perspective on AI in the writing industry is both realistic and hopeful. He recognizes the challenges and opportunities that AI presents, particularly in the context of ghost-writing and high-level editorial work. While AI may disrupt certain areas, the demand for skilled human writers capable of nuanced, creative work remains robust. For Gerstein and Gotham Ghostwriters, the future involves not only navigating these changes but also leveraging them to offer even better services to clients.
Conclusion
The insights provided by McIlroy, Goldman, Torre, Stillwell, and Gerstein paint a comprehensive picture of the evolving landscape of the book publishing industry in the age of AI. While there are challenges and uncertainties, particularly concerning the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content, the potential benefits of AI tools are undeniable. Self-published authors, in particular, stand to gain from these advancements, as they often operate without the extensive resources available to traditional publishers.
As the industry continues to evolve, the successful integration of AI will likely depend on a balanced approach that combines the strengths of human creativity and AI efficiency. The future of publishing, whether traditional or self-published, will undoubtedly be shaped by how well these two forces are harmonized. For now, the key takeaway is that AI offers a wealth of opportunities for innovation, and those who embrace these changes are likely to thrive in the ever-competitive world of publishing.
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