AI is becoming a part of authors’ creative toolkit, from scene ideas to editing & marketing
Like a lot of you, I’ve watched the debate over authors’ use of AI swing between hype and hair-on-fire. In my own circles, the reality is far more practical: most career novelists are experimenting with AI somewhere in the workflow — usually to increase productivity and remove friction, not to replace voice.
But then, the folks in my circle are fellow authors, not imitators who are using AI to churn out one or two cookie-cutter novels a day, every day.
What the latest surveys say
Fresh data paints a mixed picture. BookBub’s May 2025 survey of 1,200+ authors found that about 45% are currently using AI. Of those using AI, the top use cases are research (81%), marketing copy (about 73%), outlining/plotting (72%) and editing (70%). (That’s heartening — Authors A.I. has developed the top AI editing tool for authors on the market: Marlowe.) It’s safe to assume AI usage will continue to climb over time as authors become more familiar with their options. ChatGPT currently leads platform use, with Claude close behind, and most authors who use AI don’t disclose that fact to readers (74%).
Across the broader book trade, nearly half of industry pros now use AI tools at work (BISG survey, Sept. 23, 2025), even as 98% report significant concerns about implementation. Publishers Weekly’s 2024 salary & jobs report likewise shows 53% of publishing companies are using AI, up from 23% in 2022.
Bottom line? Use is growing, but worries remain.
Seven snapshots from working authors
Over the past week I asked a set of working novelists how and why they’re using AI. Here’s what they told me.
Keyla Damaer: Scars of Perfection; Beyond the Portal
This Italian author who writes sci-fi, fantasy, and horror treats AI as a full toolbox — brainstorming, blurbs, social posts, newsletters, code, cover art, and more. “My productivity skyrocketed because I don’t have to wait days or weeks for beta readers’ feedback,” she said. “A few seconds and I get the answer. It’s a dream come true.”
S.J. Pajonas: First Flyght, Removed
S.J.’s entry point was personal: a 2022 Covid bout left her with debilitating brain fog for eight months, and AI became a lifeline. Now co-founder of the Future Fiction Academy, she sees it as “not just a productivity tool, but as a creative partner.”
Danica Favorite: Her Cowboy Inheritance; Shepherd’s Creek series
Danica dictates first drafts and uses ChatGPT to clean them up. She also uses AI to bridge plot gaps: “If I cannot see how to get from point A to point C, I can ask for possibilities.” She co-hosts the Brave New Bookshelf podcast with S.J. Pajonas — now past 50 episodes.
Kevin O. McLaughlin: Valhalla Online
Kevin uses AI strictly for tasks he dislikes. His favorite: transcribing handwritten notes via ChatGPT. “It has better than 99% accuracy even though my handwriting is almost doctor-level atrocious.”
Kate Seger: fantasy; pen name
“I use AI like a second set of eyes — spotting repetition, pacing issues, or places to push deeper into emotion.” She also uses it for marketing copy, social posts, and book descriptions.
Christie Bickelman: contemporary romance
Christie runs her manuscripts through ChatGPT for continuity checks. It caught factual errors, a wrong character name, and cocktail details. “Everything that it found, I was relieved that I had asked the question.”
Amy Wegner Campbell: fantasy
Amy uses AI for visuals: “It allows me to include far more art than I could otherwise afford, and to make the image in my mind translate to the page.”
These authors span genres and career stages. What unites them isn’t a single tool — it’s using AI to reduce drudgery while staying hands-on where voice and judgment matter.
Patterns that are starting to emerge
- Friction removal beats “full automation.” Dictation cleanup, transcription, continuity checks, and outline sanity checks are among the most popular uses of AI by authors.
- AI-powered marketing is now mainstream — from blurbs and ad hooks to newsletters, social captions, and post images. (PublishDrive’s AI Metadata Generator is a common time-saver for descriptions, BISAC/Thema categories, and keywords.)
- AI visuals are booming for budget-conscious authors, while human designers remain essential for series branding and retailer compliance.
- Personal ethics vary, but the consensus is clear: don’t mislead readers, and never publish anything you wouldn’t own.
A note on ethics & disclosure
As creators, we should insist on ethically sourced tools and fair licensing. Half the industry now uses AI (BISG); publishers are rapidly adopting it (Publishers Weekly), yet concern remains high. “AI book mills” continue to erode trust.
The U.S. Copyright Office confirmed in 2025: machine-generated content isn’t protected, but work with meaningful human creative control can be. That standard aligns with how most of the authors above are using AI — as AI assistants, not as co-authors.
My take (and an invitation)
At Authors A.I., we’re tool-agnostic but craft-obsessed. If AI helps you write faster, better, or frees you for the scenes only you can write — that’s the sweet spot. If it gets in the way of your voice, toss it. The point isn’t to be pro- or anti-tech; it’s to be pro-book.
How are you using AI in your process? What’s working, what’s not, and where do you draw the line? I’d love to feature more voices in a follow-up post.
And want to get started on your AI editing journey? Start with Marlowe for free.
