The “Open Letter Against AI” makes good points, but is ultimately naive

The “Open Letter Against AI” makes good points, but is ultimately naive

A number of prominent authors, including Benjamin Dreyer and Gregory Maguire, recently published an open letter to the publishing industry. (Read the full version here.) I appreciate the sentiment. But a number of the recommendations are, in my view, unrealistic. AI has already been embedded into writing processes, ranging from the grammar tools in Microsoft…

The three-and-a-half reasons why expensive editors and ghostwriters are worth it

The three-and-a-half reasons why expensive editors and ghostwriters are worth it

People working with me sometimes experience sticker shock. It’s the same story with many accomplished ghostwriters and editors. Here are some of my typical price points for nonfiction books: The price can vary based on a lot of factors, but that’s a pretty good idea of the ballpark. I’ve written in the past why I’m…

Coauthors saluted; Wiley’s turnaround; fetishizing editing: Newsletter 18 June 2025
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Coauthors saluted; Wiley’s turnaround; fetishizing editing: Newsletter 18 June 2025

Newsletter 99: The incredible benefits of creating a book with a wicked smart thinking partner. Plus, AI learns from really old books, authors make TikToks of scrawling edits, three people to follow and three books to read. What I learned from my intellectual soulmates I’ve written nine books and am working on another. Only two…

Here’s what makes the difference between authors who want to change the world . . . and those who actually do
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Here’s what makes the difference between authors who want to change the world . . . and those who actually do

You’re an author who wants to change the world. Just like every other author. Writing a book is a big effort. You think it’s worth it because you want to change the world. And I’m sure you’re right. Whatever the world is that you want to change — the world of partisan politics, the world…

The 3 classes of collaborative and “helpful” reviewers and how to deal with them

The 3 classes of collaborative and “helpful” reviewers and how to deal with them

Reviewers are a pain in the butt. I’m not talking about people who write reviews of your book on Amazon or Goodreads. I’m talking about people who offer their opinions as part of your book creation process. Unless you know who they are and manage them proactively, they will create angst and chaos. To avoid…