Writers and AI: How to Navigate the New Publishing Landscape

AI in the publishing field is not merely an idea; it’s already a reality. New tools specifically designed for publishing are being introduced, and the first publishers are beginning to experiment with them. At the Turin International Book Fair, the largest book fair in Italy, I attended a product presentation for one of these tools. The host publisher shared that he was initially sceptical but was ultimately amazed by the results and wants to continue using it.

But what does this mean for writers? Will AI change how books are evaluated and edited? Should writers (and professionals) be worried, or will AI turn out to be simply an additional tool?

What’s Happening in the Publishing Market

Let’s take a quick look at the bigger picture. The following data come from the global publishing market (IPA, 2023) and the Italian market (AIE, 2024).

• Too many books are being published: in the USA in 2023, between 1300 and 2600 new titles came out every day. Even in smaller countries like Italy, there are around 200 new titles daily.
• The market can’t absorb all these books: in Italy, the return rate is 30%. Considering that not all books even make it to distribution, the average unsold rate, between warehouse stock and returns, is about 50%.
• Costs for publishers are rising: production expenses are increasing due to higher prices for paper and energy (especially in Europe), but book prices remain unchanged.
• Sales and revenue are dropping: for example, in most of Europe.

What Publishers Want

• Fewer titles published.
• Lower return and unsold rates.
• Reduced production costs.

So, where does AI come in?

How AI is Being Used in Publishing

In this context, AI becomes attractive not just as a trend, but as a potential cost-cutting tool: faster manuscript reviews, cheaper services, and automated marketing materials. Indeed, AI is being tested in several areas.

Editorial Tasks

• Manuscript pre-evaluation: AI tools can scan manuscripts and extract summaries, identify plot structure, characters, settings, and genre fit. This helps publishers (and agencies) filter submissions faster.
• Proofreading support: AI isn’t ready to fully replace human editors, but it will likely be more and more employed in proofreading to check grammar, syntax, and punctuation.
• Translation: First experiments with AI-generated translations weren’t a huge success due to poor translations that have upset readers, but the trend seems to be established.

Marketing and Market Research

• Market analysis: AI can analyse trends across genres, reader preferences, and online behaviour to help publishers identify market gaps.
• Content generation: AI can write blurbs, Amazon descriptions, press releases, and social media copy quickly.
• Content adaptation: It can also help convert a book into different formats, like adapting it into audiobooks.

What it Means for Writers

• Getting published is becoming harder.
• Writers need at least some knowledge of the market.
• Manuscripts may be evaluated by AI first.
• In this case, experimental and very personal works could struggle because they’re more difficult to outline.

What Writers Need to Publish Today

As always, writers need to offer a good story, which is well written. But that’s not enough.

Anyone who wants to publish should:

• Make sure the plot works.
• Create believable characters with meaningful arcs.
• Understand the target audience.
• Research and submit to relevant publishers or agencies.
• Or, if choosing self-publishing, assess whether they have the skills (and budget) to do so.

It’s always been important to submit polished work. Now it’s even more because, in case AI is the first reader, writers can’t rely only on emotional appeal to compensate for a weak plot or unbelievable characters. Simply put, AI does not take feelings into account.

Takeaways for Writers

Writers should send the manuscript only when it’s ready, without rushing. Focus on developing the plot and characters. Know your genre and read books related to your niche. Familiarise yourself with the publisher’s catalogue to understand if the work can be a good fit for them.

While it’s not necessary to hire an editor to submit the work, it’s important to be brutally honest about what works and what doesn’t, and avoid being blinded by the love for the story. To find out strengths and weaknesses, determine whether the plot holds up, and whether the characters work, manuscript feedback from an editor can help. Going beyond the feedback of beta readers, a professional evaluation could also enlighten the writer about what a publisher (or an AI tool, if used) will look for. Editors should stay up to date on technological advancements and offer new services to help navigate the evolving market and publishing challenges.

Is it the End for Original and Authentic Stories?

I think no. Not at all. In a world where AI might be a filter, and where many writers may start using AI to write (it’s already happening, like it or not), an authentic voice and a story that reflects the writer's personality will stand out even more than before.

The best way to succeed is by writing a great story, but it’s equally important to embrace what makes writers unique: voice and humanity. These are qualities no machine can replicate.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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