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The AI Revolution in Book Publishing

A Concise Guide to Navigating Artificial Intelligence for Writers and Publishers

Thad McIlroy

Revised May, 2025!

Are you feeling left out of the conversation about book publishing, authoring and artificial intelligence? Most publishers and authors are — it's not just you. The AI Revolution in Book Publishing will bring you into the conversation, gently, and slowly, telling you only what you need to know.

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About

About

About the Book

Revised May, 2025!

“Thad McIlroy brings his expertise to bear on one of the most important and potentially disruptive forces in contemporary publishing: the impact of generative AI. Rich in insight… The AI Revolution in Book Publishing is foundational for anyone who wants to understand how artificial intelligence is affecting both writing and publishing.” — Maja Thomas, Chief Innovation Officer, Hachette Livre

“A great overview of how AI might, or might not, fit into trade publishing. Thad’s analysis of the current state of the business adds important context to how the new technology can be best utilized.” — Jim Milliot, Former PW Editorial Director and current Editor-at-Large

“I’m amazed at the breadth of what's covered in The Al Revolution in Book Publishing ... When I read Thad McIlroy I feel like we're having a conversation!” — Joe Wikert, President, Revenue Path Group

“Thad has accomplished the nearly unimaginable: clearly, authoritatively, and comprehensively explaining the multiple dimensions and intersecting issues of AI in publishing.” — Bill Kasdorf, Kasdorf & Associates

“For publishing professionals, this book is more than just a theoretical exploration of AI. It's an invaluable resource that demystifies the complex world of AI.” — Ken Brooks, Treadwell Media Group

The AI Revolution in Book Publishing is the first book to look deep inside artificial intelligence specifically as it impacts authors and book publishers. It's concise and direct — only what you need to know.

My goal for readers is that, by the end of this book, they’ll feel enabled to join the AI conversation, to express an informed opinion, that they’ll feel equipped to make personal choices around the technology, and have a path to learn how to use AI, if they choose to do so.

I do not want to inundate readers with lots of blah-blah about the underpinnings of AI technology — I’m not going to talk much about AI in the abstract. I want instead to give you a solid grounding in AI for book authoring and publishing.

Some of the topics covered in the book:

  • Understanding AI and key AI terminology
  • AI software for book publishers
  • What are publishing companies doing about AI?
  • AI and book publishing use cases
  • AI for book design & production
  • AI & book marketing 
  • AI and metadata for books
  • AI strategies for book publishing companies
  • AI policies for book publishers
  • AI job considerations for book publishers
  • AI for audiobooks
  • AI for book translation
  • AI and scholarly publishing
  • Innovation, technology and book publishing
  • Concerns and risks surrounding AI for book publishing
  • The impact of AI on the book publishing industry
  • Book publishing and the future of copyright

Click the link below to learn more about the production of the book:

https://youtu.be/15tAHr8cmR4

** My book is also available on Amazon and other retail outlets, both online and in good 'ole bookstores. The value of purchasing from Leanpub is that you will continue to receive free updates. It's also the only place you can buy a PDF, or an EPUB in 31 other languages. And you're supporting one of the most innovative and vital publishing platforms in North America.

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      About the Author

      Thad McIlroy

      Thad McIlroy is a digital publishing analyst and author, and principal of The Future of Publishing, based in San Francisco. He is a contributing editor to Publishers Weekly, covering digital innovation, artificial intelligence and publishing startups. He has authored a dozen books and over five hundred articles on digital publishing. 

      McIlroy is a founding partner in Publishing Technology Partners, a consultancy focused on the broad range of strategic technology issues in publishing.

      An expert on publication metadata and online book marketing, he has taught the Metadata for Books course at Pace University in New York, in their Masters of Publishing Program. In 2024 he joined the advisory board of Johns Hopkins University Press and became a visiting scholar at the Publishing Master of Professional Studies program at The George Washington University.

      He is co-author of the industry-standard The Metadata Handbook, 2nd Ed (co-authored with Renee Register).

      Leanpub Podcast

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