In case you missed it, read why I think AI will not destroy publishing here. What I didn’t touch on in last week’s post was AI and authors. To put it bluntly, authors are PISSED about how most current AI tools work (including me). Because: AI “learns” using creative work…

AI will not destroy publishing. At least not right now.* Here are two big reasons I think that: The legal standing of AI-generated text. Because: Machine-written text can’t be copyrighted. This is good and bad. It’s good because that means people can’t ask ChatGPT to mimic someone else’s writing (like…

I feel like everyone looks around constantly and says, oh, I have an idea for this [book]. I have an idea for this [book]. What’s the difference between some idea you have that would be great in the world and an idea that is an actual, workable [book]? I was…

Once a month, I receive an email or comment that feels angry, mean, or spiteful — usually from an author who disagrees with whatever message I’ve put out there. For a lot of leaders and entrepreneurs, receiving negative feedback seems like a terrible outcome. Someone doesn’t like what you’re saying…

The worst happened. My client, who I’ll call Dani (not her real name), didn’t get a book deal. We had worked for months on her book proposal, and secured a literary agent with a great reputation. After some revisions, her literary agent sent the proposal to editors at every major…

10. It’s so easy that people do it before considering their options. 9. A self-published book that sells poorly destroys the chance to get a traditional deal later. 8. “Experts” in self-publishing are often just authors themselves, with zero experience publishing books other than their own. 7. Companies that help…

“If everything worked out, what does that look like?” That’s the first question I ask my clients. Sometimes, authors want their books to be New York Times bestsellers so they can use that imprimatur on everything (maybe even their Tinder profile). But more often, the answers include beach chairs. I…

I know her, and I bet you do, too. The colleague who calls herself a bestselling author . . . but actually isn’t? I have a friend like this. I bought her book, which was published by a reputable self-publisher. Don’t get me wrong. She wrote, published, promoted, and continues…

Unlike a lot of people in publishing, I love data. I learned about data from my husband Scott whose expertise is user experience design. …