When it comes to building a community around your work, especially in the publishing world, we now have more tools than ever to make it happen. But with options comes decision fatigue. I’ve been thinking about the two big platforms—Patreon and Substack—and wanted to share my thoughts. If you’re like me, always balancing the desire to grow your business while experimenting with new things (hello, AI), knowing where to focus your energy can make all the difference. 
 

Working with Thom Hartmann on the Hidden History series has been a deeply rewarding experience. My team at FSB Associates and I were honored to support Thom’s mission of uncovering critical issues like democracy, labor rights, and economic inequality through ten impactful books.

 

Marketing a book can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops—daunting, awkward, and at times wildly uncoordinated. But don’t worry! Enter the 4A’s Framework, a clever tool popularized by Dickie Bush. It breaks ideas into four simple categories: Actionable, Analytical, Aspirational, and Anthropological. Think of it as your go-to guide for making content creation easy, fun, and—most importantly—on target.
 

By Fauzia Burke and ChatGPT

I asked ChatGPT to predict trends for book publishing in 2025. The following is the answer I got. It’s interesting. Some of this is already happening. Take a look at what AI is predicting for the future of our industry. 

As we look ahead to 2025, the rise of AI is poised to influence book publishing trends in several vital ways significantly:

Maybe I’m just hungry or thinking of my Italian vacation, or maybe this is a good metaphor for using AI. I think Ai is just like pizza dough. Stay with me here, I am thinking or writing out loud…... 

A book jacket can make or break a title—it’s your book’s first impression, and we all actually do judge a book by its cover. This makes getting the cover right an anxiety-inducing task for publishers and authors. But how do you know if your book jacket is hitting the mark? Enter ChatGPT, an AI tool that can help you assess your cover’s appeal and marketability without the guesswork.

Laughter is often described as the best medicine, a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Yet, when it comes to women, laughter is not always received with the same appreciation. Take, for example, Vice President Harris. Her laugh, often spontaneous and infectious, has been scrutinized and ridiculed by political opponents. But for many, including myself, her laughter represents a form of joyful abandon that is not only empowering, it’s enviable.

In the not-so-distant future, a typical conversation might go something like this:

"Hey, did you get my email?"
"Yeah, my AI read it and had my other AI send a response."
"Cool, I'll have my AI check it out and get back to your AI."

It is with profound sorrow that I announce the passing of my mother, Nuzhat Subhani, at the age of 80. Her life was a tapestry of bravery, fascination, and boundless love. Her loss is the most significant I have ever experienced, leaving an irreplaceable void in my heart.

In today's digital age, authors are constantly seeking strategies to engage their readers and make their book launches stand out. One powerful tactic gaining traction is integrating exclusive bonus content with incentives for newsletter sign-ups. Let's delve into how this approach can propel your book launch to new heights:
 

Did you know that books often face rejection simply because the author isn't enthusiastic about marketing them? It's true. In the vast landscape of publishing, where countless stories vie for attention, marketing plays a pivotal role in ensuring your book doesn't get lost in the shuffle. But fear not, fellow writers, for this blog is dedicated to empowering authors like you to embrace the journey of promoting your work and letting it shine!

Are you gearing up to launch your next book and want to ensure it makes a splash in the literary world? Building buzz before your book hits the shelves is crucial for its success. In today's competitive publishing landscape, creating pre-launch excitement can mean the difference between a book that languishes unnoticed and one that captures the attention of readers far and wide. Here are some proven strategies to help you generate buzz and anticipation for your upcoming release.

As we approach the year's end, authors often find solace in contemplating their creative journey—a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In our digital age, the realm of AI opens up fascinating possibilities to deepen this introspection. Join me as we delve into how authors can harness AI to gain profound insights into their literary adventures throughout the year.

Ethan Mollick professor at the Wharton School shares his insights on generative AI in his newsletter (which I highly recommend) called One Useful Thing. His take is always intriguing and thought-provoking. His perspectives, from educators to business executives, provide an extensive look at AI's capabilities and its current trajectory. As a book publishing professional, I believe it's essential to approach these insights from our industry's unique lens.

Releasing a novel can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to marketing. With so many authors and books competing for attention, how do you make sure your book gets noticed? I recently spoke with a new author who was feeling anxious about her upcoming book launching here are some of my recommendations for marketing a new novel.

I recently attended an eye-opening conference on Artificial Intelligence: Revolution and Opportunity in Trade Publishing hosted by Publishers Weekly. I was grateful to be one of the speakers and excited to meet other like-minded folks in book publishing. As someone passionate about how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of books, it was incredible to learn from other forward-thinking industry folks. Organizers and hosts were Thad McIlroy and Peter Brantley who did a wonderful job curating topics and speakers that were interesting and exciting. Here are some of my key takeaways from the insightful sessions.

One of the best uses of AI for authors and book publishers is getting ideas for book titles and descriptions. However, when working with AI systems like GPT-4, crafting the right prompt is essential for achieving the best results. It's not just about asking a question—it's about asking it in a way that ensures the AI-generated content meets your needs and expectations. Let’s look at examples of creating effective prompts for book descriptions and titles, which is a great use of AI. 

I am no lawyer, so I don’t know the answer to this question, but it is something to consider. Who owns the copyright to the Harry Potter characters? I know the obvious answer is J.K. Rowling, but with the popularity of AI, will that change? Two days ago, I wanted to send a motivational message to my daughter, and I thought it would be fun to do it as Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter. 

Since I am a huge ChatGPT fan, I used a prompt and let the AI write the message. It was also a way to test the prompt.  (For those new to ChatGPT, a prompt is instructions to the AI. The better and more specific the prompt, the better the output) 

Here’s the prompt I used: