100% Human

The role of AI in publishing, writing, and content creation

Last week, my publisher informed me she’d run my book through the AI screening software as is required by many major publishers like mine (Hachette.)

The verdict: “Congratulations. Your manuscript came back 100% Human.”

I laughed because 1. I was relieved. (I’ve heard authors recently saying even when they’d written their books, the AI screening software sometimes flagged their writing as AI.) and 2. I was fascinated.

Between writing my first book and writing my seventh, “human” had become something that needed to be verified.

Considering the current state of AI ubiquitousness, of course books- and all content- needs to be evaluated.

Have you had a moment in the last 3 months where you watched a video and wondered if the person in the video was human? Same with a photograph? An email? Did the person write this or did Claude generate this message?

Last month, I received a pitch from a coach I’d worked with a few years ago. The whole message sounded like it was written and sent, unedited, by Chat GPT. The message was inviting me to a private mastermind- a 5 figure investment. Accurate or not, I thought, “she didn’t bother to write this herself.” I deleted the invitation.

100% Human not just about books anymore. It’s about everything.

A post went viral last month saying 90% of all online content will be AI generated by the end of 2026 however fact checked studies are showing 50% as the more accurate #.

90% or 50%, many of us can feel the rareness that is becoming exponentially valuable: humanity.

I get asked almost every day, “Should I use AI to write my book?” I don’t think that’s the most helpful question. The question I like better is: “How do I use AI to assist me in content creation while still being the author- in both creativity and craft? How do I ensure what I create has a soul, maintains a human heartbeat?

My mastermind clients joked that maybe we need a seal for our work: Verified. 100% Human.

If you’re publishing a book, you need to know the requirements of your particular publisher. Major publishers usually require manuscripts to go through AI screeners such as Pangram, GPTZero, or Copyleaks. This may be required for certain bestseller lists and book awards as well- so ask your publisher for your specific requirements.

Going through the process with my book, I wondered if there will be two lists in The New York Times book review each Sunday: Books by Humans and another list for Books by AI? I hope not.

If your publisher allows AI assistance and you want to use AI to help your writing process, there are things you can do to keep the humanness of your work.

If you’d like the exact prompt we teach our authors to preserve their authentic voice while using ChatGPT or Claude as a thought partner and editor, leave a comment with the word PROMPT and I’ll send it to you.

I don’t use AI to write my books. But I use AI in many other projects. This article was created with AI assistance. I walked. I dictated. I generated a draft by speaking into Claude. I generated the whole draft while moving. Then I sat down to revise. The process was integrated into my day instead of waiting until the fumes that were left after I coached, had book launch meetings, created two presentations, filled out my son’s football forms, scheduled the dentist, and checked in on a friend who is going through a major health issue.

I collaborated with AI the same way I collaborate with a great assistant. Not to replace my voice. To expedite the time from idea to published piece. I use it when the alternative is to create this way or not create at all.

But we can always keep the humanity. Everything we create can still have a heartbeat.

Messy, creative, unique, real human is I’m after in what I create and what I consume.

What about you?