The AI-Powered Author

Would you like to be a smart writer and publish faster?  Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape for authors. It’s helping authors to write, publish and market their books whether they be just starting out or experienced at writing and self-publishing. Become an AI-powered author and use AI as your valuable writing assistant. 

The good news? You don’t need to be an expert in technology to take advantage of these exciting developments.

Writing Assistant

In the past you would most likely have funding to have a writing assistant. But with the rapid advances in AI technology you can have a writing assistant available 24 hours a day, ready to help whenever inspiration strikes.

A new revolutionary AI called ChatGPT took the internet by storm in November 2022. Millions of users worldwide were amazed by its capabilities. Its features helped authors brainstorm book ideas, develop chapter outlines, organise research, improve writing and even create promotional content.

Personally as a writer and self-publisher I have found ChatGPT to be a game changer.  I use ChatGPT as my writing assistant saving me money and time.

ChatGPT helps authors who suffer from writers block as it can suggest fresh approaches to your topic. It can help structure a nonfiction book and organise your ideas into a logical sequence of chapters.

You can use ChatGPT to review your manuscript for clarity, grammar and readability.

Remember, however, that ChatGPT is an assistant, not a replacement for creativity, knowledge or unique author voice.

In addition you must always review AI-generated content to check for accuracy and originality.

Capture Ideas  

Let’s say a brilliant idea pops into your head. Have you ever been frustrated when suddenly you are distracted and find that your idea has disappeared before you have had a chance to write it down?

This is where you can be an AI-powered author. AI-powered voice recording technology can make a difference.

One interesting device for authors is the Plaud Note Pro AI Voice Recorder. You can look at this on Amazon. I must point out that as Amazon Associate, I do earn from qualifying purchases.

This compact recording device allows you to capture spoken ideas, interviews, research conversations and even entire chapters dictated in your own words. It instantly creates structured summaries, mind maps, To-do lists, and proposals tailored to your role and industry.

It helps you to organise your thoughts and develop material for your manuscript.

For memoir writers, nonfiction authors and anyone who prefers speaking rather than typing, this technology could be particularly useful.

Marketing your book

Writing your manuscript is only part of the publishing journey. Once your book is published, you need to let potential readers know it exists. Advances in AI can even help with your book marketing.

With AI tools like ChatGPT you can get assistance preparing compelling book descriptions, brainstorm keywords, write blog posts, create email newsletters and develop social media content.

You can even use AI to prepare scripts for short promotional videos, YouTube presentations and Facebook reels.

For independent authors who manage every aspect of their publishing business, these tools can save valuable time.

The Future  

AI is not about replacing authors. It’s about giving writers more opportunities to work efficiently, experiment with ideas and concentrate on what they do best.

AI assists authors to create their books.

The most successful AI-powered authors will be those who combine modern technology with their own imagination, experience and storytelling abilities.

The future of self-publishing is exciting. Why not explore how AI can help you write smarter, publish faster and reach more readers?

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Writing Books That Sell

Writing books that sell begins long before you write your first word. It starts with research, planning and understanding your market.

You may have a wonderful book idea, but how can you shape it into something readers want to buy? A little groundwork can help you give your book a clear purpose and a stronger place in the market.

Your subject matter

Begin by doing some research on Amazon. Look at books similar to yours. Examine their titles, subtitles, covers, descriptions, categories and prices.

What catches your attention? How do authors explain the benefits of their books? This research helps you understand what readers already have to choose from.

Profitable niche

Start by finding a profitable niche. Many new authors dive straight into writing without considering who will actually buy their book. By identifying a niche early, you set yourself up for stronger sales, clearer marketing, and a book that truly connects with readers. Here are several effective ways to discover a profitable niche.

Research categories

Amazon is the largest bookstore in the world, and it gives you a free window into what readers are already buying.

Explore categories and then drill down into subcategories. Look for areas where books consistently rank well in Best Sellers Rank (BSR), but where competition is not overwhelming. If your topic is broad or highly competitive, consider narrowing your focus. For example, instead of writing broadly about “Flowers,” you might focus on “Flower arranging for beginners.”

A clearly defined niche helps you focus your content and explain who your book is for. You do not need to appeal to everyone. You need to connect with readers who will find your book useful.

Research keywords

Keywords are the search terms readers type into Amazon when looking for books. Tools like Publisher Rocket, Google Keyword Planner, or even the Amazon autosuggestions feature can help you see what people are searching for. A niche with high search volume and relatively few books is a strong opportunity.

Research reviews

Study other books in your niche without copying their content or approach. Customer reviews can be particularly helpful.

What did readers appreciate? What disappointed them? Did they want clearer instructions, more examples or greater depth?

These comments may reveal an opportunity for you to offer a fresh perspective or a more practical resource.

 Gaps in the literature can highlight opportunities. For example, if readers keep saying a book is too advanced, perhaps a beginner-friendly version is needed.

Test your idea on social media

Join Facebook groups, Reddit forums, or online communities around your potential topic. Pay attention to the questions people ask repeatedly. If a group is actively discussing a subject, chances are there is already an audience for a book that addresses those needs.

Your title and subtitle

Once you understand your audience, create several working titles and subtitles.

Your title should attract attention, while your subtitle explains the subject, intended reader or benefit. Include relevant keywords where they fit naturally, keeping the wording clear and appealing.

Profit and sustainability

While profit matters, sustainability comes from writing about something you care about. A profitable niche is best when it balances strong reader demand with your personal expertise or interest. This makes writing, marketing, and engaging with readers far more natural.

By combining research into Amazon categories, keywords, reader demand, and community insights, you can validate your book idea before you even start writing. This preparation ensures that your book isn’t just written. You write your book for an audience eager to buy it.

Research, particularly if you use Publisher Rocket, cannot guarantee sales, but it can help you make better decisions before you invest months into writing. Give your book a strong beginning by knowing who it serves and why they would want to read it.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Your Book Marketing Studio

There are many ways to promote a book, but unfortunately, there is no magic formula that guarantees sales. Instead, there are different strategies you can try at various stages of your author journey. In this post I’m going to discuss your book marketing studio.

Book Marketing

Book marketing is not optional. You cannot simply publish your book and expect readers to discover it. However, you can choose marketing methods that best suit your personality, budget, skills and audience.

There is no single “right” way to market a book. Most successful authors use a combination of strategies and change their approach over time. What works well for one author may not work for another, so it is important to experiment and find the methods you enjoy.

Social media is currently one of the most popular ways to connect with readers. Authors can promote their books through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube. Videos and reels are particularly powerful because they are quick, personal and easy to share.

TikTok’s BookTok community has become especially influential. Short videos using the #BookTok hashtag can attract enormous attention by featuring emotional reactions, popular character types, attractive book displays and behind-the-scenes glimpses of an author’s writing life.

This is where a modern Apple iPhone can become a valuable marketing tool.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I have been an Apple user for many years. I use an Apple Mac laptop, an Apple iPad and an Apple iPhone, and I love how easily they work together.

Latest Apple iPhone

The latest Apple iPhone 18 Pro 256GB is your mobile author’s office and portable marketing studio.

Its high-quality camera allows you to take appealing photographs of your books for websites, newsletters, Amazon promotions and social media. You can also record book trailers, reading excerpts, author interviews and behind-the-scenes videos without needing an expensive camera.

Apps such as iMovie and Canva make video editing simple. You can trim your footage, insert captions, add music and display your book cover before sharing the finished video on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

Connect With Readers

Your iPhone also helps you stay connected with readers. You can manage your Facebook Page or group, answer emails, send newsletters and update your website while travelling or attending events. Photographs and videos from book launches, library visits, speaking engagements and writers’ festivals can be shared instantly.

Voice recording and voice-to-text features are also useful. You can dictate ideas, plan blog posts, record promotional messages or practise a presentation whenever inspiration strikes.

Calendar reminders, notes, cloud storage and planning apps can help you organise promotions, schedule book launches and keep your marketing materials close at hand. You can even check book sales, advertising campaigns and website activity from your phone.

An advanced iPhone will not market your book for you. However, when used consistently, it can help you create professional content, connect with more readers and build a stronger author brand—all from the palm of your hand.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Amazon or IngramSpark?

Many independent authors ask the question: should they publish on Amazon or IngramSpark?

The best answer is: use both.

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) gives you direct access to the world’s largest online bookstore. You can publish Kindle eBooks, paperbacks and hardcovers, and your books can be printed on demand whenever someone places an order.

KDP is relatively easy to use, it’s user friendly, and there are no upfront printing costs. It is particularly valuable for reaching the Amazon world with Amazon customers. You manage your book’s listing and pricing and access sales reports. Depending on price and marketplace, KDP currently offers print royalties of up to 60 per cent, minus printing costs.

However, Amazon is only one part of the book market.

IngramSpark

IngramSpark helps independent authors make their books available to a much wider network of bookstores, libraries, schools and online retailers. Through Ingram’s global distribution network, books can be made available to more than 40,000 outlets.

IngramSpark is part of the Ingram Content Group, one of the world’s largest book distributors.

Your book becomes available to:

• Brick-and-mortar bookstores

• Public and school libraries

• Academic institutions

• Online retailers worldwide

Benefit: Your book can be ordered through the same supply chain as traditionally published titles.

This does not mean that every bookstore or library will automatically stock your book. It means they can discover and order it through a distributor they already know and use.

Many bookstores are also reluctant to order books directly from Amazon because Amazon is one of their biggest competitors. Making your book available through IngramSpark can therefore give it greater credibility within the traditional book trade.

Use both

Which Comes First?

It does not actually matter whether you publish first with IngramSpark or Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Provided you use the same ISBN for both, your submission should be accepted on both platforms without a hitch, assuming it meets all their publication quality criteria,

You will need to purchase your own ISBN.

My recommendation, in order to avoid issues with the ISBN, is to set up your book project on both KDP and IngramSpark at the same time; then save that project as a draft on both platforms. Once that ISBN is in both systems, proceed with the publishing process in whichever order you like.

I do this for my own books. I upload to Amazon first and I make sure to uncheck expanded distribution. I save the listing as a draft. Then I do the IngramSpark listing with the same ISBN. Again I save the listing as a draft.

Both platforms require the same elements to set up a book (interior file, cover file, metadata) but the dashboards are configured in different ways.

The strategy is to upload your eBook and print editions directly to Amazon KDP, then use IngramSpark for wider print distribution.

To do this use your own ISBN and make sure the title, author name, cover, trim size and other details match on both platforms.

Do take note that KDP itself does not require exclusivity. Exclusivity only applies to eBooks that are enrolled in KDP Select for a specific enrolment period.

Amazon KDP helps you reach Amazon shoppers. IngramSpark helps your book become available beyond Amazon. By using both platforms strategically, you can gain greater control, broader distribution and more opportunities to connect with readers around the world.

The question is not always Amazon or IngramSpark?

For many independent authors, it is Amazon and IngramSpark.

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Writers At Risk

Writing may look like a calm and creative profession from the outside, but behind the scenes many writers face physical and mental challenges caused by long hours at a desk. Writers at risk are those who engage in this highly sedentary occupation spending hours in front of a computer screen.

Sitting

Sitting for a long time in front of a computer screen can affect your body, your eyes, your posture, and even your mental wellbeing. If writers want long and productive careers, they need to take these hazards seriously.

Writers at risk sit for extended periods of time. Modern studies continue to warn about the health dangers associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Sitting for too long can contribute to poor circulation, weight gain, stiffness, back pain, and reduced energy levels. Writers can easily become so immersed in their work that they forget to move for hours at a time.

Writing books has been my profession for many years so I’m very familiar with the dangers of this sort of activity. To counter the negative consequences of this sedentary lifestyle I have to actively build movement into my day.

Movement

The solution is simple but important. Take regular movement breaks. Every 30 minutes, stand up and move around for one to three minutes. Stretch your legs, walk around the room, or do a few simple exercises.

Because writers often lose track of time while working, setting an alarm or timer can be helpful. These short breaks refresh both the body and the mind and can actually improve productivity and concentration.

Standing desk

Another helpful solution is investing in a standing or vertical desk. A writer can now alternate between sitting and standing while they work. Writing while standing can improve posture, reduce stiffness, and help combat the health risks linked to prolonged sitting.

Eye strain

Eye strain is another common hazard which puts writers at risk. Most of a writer’s day is spent staring at a screen. Gazing at a computer for long periods without blinking enough can cause dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue. Over time, this can become a serious problem.

To protect your eyes, follow the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adjust your screen brightness, use proper lighting, and remember to blink regularly. Some writers also benefit from blue light filtering glasses.

Weight gain

Writing can also contribute to weight gain and obesity because the work requires very little physical movement. A healthy lifestyle outside writing hours is essential. Regular exercise, walking, healthy eating, and avoiding endless snacking while working can make a significant difference.

Formal exercise

Build formal exercise into your daily lifestyle. This could be walking, bike riding, swimming, going to the gym or engaging in sport: pickleball, tennis, running whatever takes your fancy.

Mental health

Finally, writing can sometimes feel mentally isolating. Long hours alone can affect motivation and mental health. Writers should make time for social interaction, hobbies, and outdoor activities to maintain balance.

Writing is a wonderful creative pursuit, but it is important to care for your health along the way. A healthier writer is usually a happier, more productive writer. So don’t becomes a writer at risk.

If you are unsure about how to start your writing a book then get your FREE ebook

Access Here

How To Start Writing A Book

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Smart Editing Secrets

Writing and editing a manuscript can feel overwhelming for many authors. After spending weeks, months, or even years writing a book, it can become difficult to clearly see mistakes, weak areas, or opportunities for improvement. ChatGPT with its smart editing secrets can become an incredibly valuable writing assistant.

Editing

ChatGPT can help authors edit their manuscripts faster, more efficiently, and with greater confidence. While it does not replace a professional human editor, it can dramatically improve the editing process and help authors polish their work before publication.

One of the biggest ways ChatGPT helps is by correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and awkward sentence structure. Authors can paste sections of their manuscript into ChatGPT and ask it to identify errors or improve readability. This can instantly clean up messy first drafts and make writing smoother and easier to understand.

Improve clarity and flow

ChatGPT can also help improve clarity and flow. Sometimes authors know what they want to say, but the wording may feel clunky, repetitive, or confusing. ChatGPT can rewrite paragraphs to sound clearer, more engaging, or more conversational while still keeping the author’s original ideas intact.

Structure

Another major benefit is structure and organisation. ChatGPT can help authors evaluate chapter flow, transitions, introductions, conclusions, and overall readability. It can point out repetitive sections, identify weak areas, and even suggest ways to strengthen the content.

Dialogue

For fiction writers, ChatGPT can assist with dialogue by helping conversations sound more natural and realistic. For non-fiction authors, it can help simplify explanations, improve headings, strengthen workbook exercises, and make information easier for readers to absorb.

Self-editing companion

One of the smartest ways to use ChatGPT is as a self-editing companion rather than asking it to completely rewrite a manuscript. The goal is to keep your own voice, personality, and creativity while using AI to refine and strengthen the writing.

Authenticity

The key thing to remember is that readers connect with authenticity. Your stories, experiences, ideas, and unique perspective are what make your book valuable. ChatGPT simply helps you present those ideas more clearly and professionally.

Used wisely, ChatGPT can save authors time, improve productivity, reduce editing stress, and help transform rough drafts into polished manuscripts ready for publication.

FREE eBook

If you are not at the editing stage yet and you want to write your book you may not know where to start. Many aspiring authors never begin because the process feels overwhelming.

Get your FREE eBook here and learn how to turn your idea into a finished manuscript.

Access your FREE

eBook.

How To Start Writing A Book

Marji Hill

Author and Coach