Best AI for Writing Non-Fiction Books: Top 5 Expert Picks for 2024

AI has had a MASSIVE week with OpenAI's (the team behind ChatGPT) latest updates. Their models can now translate languages in real time and interact with the world through voice and video. And these are just the updates they've shared with the public—there's no telling what's on deck.

Here's what that means for publishers:

• Going from idea to execution in a fraction of the time
• Having more control and power throughout the publishing process
• Generating even more recurring income and royalties as you build out your published library

There are already tons of AI writing tools out there, specifically tailored for non-fiction writers and publishers, but this blog post covers the top 5 that are making waves.

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Can You Legally Publish a Book Written by AI?

We've answered this question multiple times across our blog because it's one of the biggest concerns we hear among newbie publishers. The short answer, is YES, you can definitely publish a book written by AI.

Now, here's the long answer...

The laws surrounding purely AI-generated content are still evolving, but as of now, there are no legal barriers to publishing a book written or assisted by AI.

Any new technology is automatically going to have some resistance to it because that's how we humans are. We're usually not too fond of change. But at the end of the day, using AI like a co-pilot is really no different than hiring a ghostwriter. You still have to put in the critical thinking and creativity to make the final product worth your readers' time.

Amazon has started testing a new policy that requires self-publishers to declare if their content is AI-generated or AI-assisted, but this is strictly for educational purposes. It is NOT punitive despite some rumors you may have heard online.

What Is the Best AI for Writing Non-fiction Books?

When it comes to selecting the best AI for writing non-fiction books, the "best" tool is really going to boil down to personal preferences and the extent of the work you're looking for help with.

These are 5 recommendations for AI tools that have been gaining a lot of popularity on the publishing scene:

1. Publishing.ai
2. ChatGPT
3. Scrivener
4. WriteSonic
5. Squibler

#1: Publishing.AI: Best AI for Writing Non-Fiction Books

Although Publishing.AI is currently exclusive for members of Publishing.com's student community, it is a gamechanger for the industry. This powerful tool is specifically designed to cater to non-fiction authors and serve as a one-stop-shop to all things publishing.

Best Use Cases:

• Customer Research Reports: Gather essential data about your audience to actually tailor your content (most AI's fall completely short here).
• Comprehensive Text Generation: Capable of producing well-structured 30,000-word books from scratch.
• Book Descriptions and Marketing Copy: Helps create compelling descriptions specifically formulated for Amazon's KDP to reach more readers and boost your book sales.

Pros:

• Detailed Research: Provides in-depth audience AND competitor insights.
• Structured Content: Generates comprehensive and well-organized text (which is also fully editable).
• Marketing Support: Optimizes book descriptions with SEO analysis already built-in!
• Built for KDP: Designed with Amazon's publishing guidelines in mind and offers helpful reminders so you can make sure your manuscript stays compliant.

Cons:

• Exclusivity: Must be a Publishing.com member to gain first access.
• Limitations: The AI tool can't actually publish or market your book for you (...yet), so you'll still need to put in the 10% of work to bring your book across the finish line.

Cost:

• Visit the Publishing.AI website for pricing updates.

#2: ChatGPT

ChatGPT has come a LONG way since its earlier versions, and it's still constantly being updated. Premium subscribers should already have access to its 4.o version, which is even faster and smarter than GPT 4, 3.5, and so on.

Best Use Cases:

• Outline Draft Creation: Helps in setting up a clear and detailed non-fiction book outline.
• Overcome Writer's Block: Unlimited idea generation for your chapters based on market research (though it might not always be completely up to date).
• Research Assistance: Suggests sources for further research or generates citations based on your preferred style (APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.). Just keep in mind that ChatGPT has been known to "hallucinate" facts, figures, and sources, so triple-check everything!

Pros:

• Quick: You can get instant answers to practically any question on your mind.
• Accessible: The free version is open to anybody with a computer!
• On the Go: They also offer a mobile version, and there are rumors that future iPhones will all be automatically integrated with ChatGPT!

Cons:

• Learning Curve: May require some practice to get used to prompting and providing the AI with feedback.
• Niche Limitations: Might not be perfect for every subject area, requiring manual edits.

Cost:

• Free or $20/month for Premium Subscribers

#3: Scrivener

Scrivener is perfect for those who love having everything in one place. It lets you manage your research, notes, and first drafts, all from the same dashboard (just like Publishing.ai).

Best Use Cases:

• Project Management: Organize your entire book project, from research to final draft, all in the same place.
• Detailed Outlines: Create comprehensive outlines with multiple features that let you really customize your experience.
• Multi-Format Support: Easily format your manuscript for various publishing platforms.

Pros:

• All-in-One: Combines writing, research, and organization tools.
• Flexible: Supports various writing styles and project types.
• Distraction-Free Mode: Helps you stay focused while writing in Composition Mode.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Can be complex to learn initially.
• Not AI-Powered: Doesn't generate content or ideas for you; it's more of a management tool.

Cost:

• Scrivener is available for a one-time fee of $59.99 for macOS and Windows, and $23.99 for iOS.

#4: WriteSonic

WriteSonic is another decent AI-powered writing tool for creating non-fiction books. It uses advanced machine learning algorithms (like ChatGPT) to generate content through chat-based prompts.

Best Use Cases:

• Content Creation: Ideal for writing eBooks, articles, and other non-fiction content.
• SEO Optimization: Built-in SEO tools help your content rank better in search engines.
• Branding: Teach the AI what your preferred brand voice is, and it will automatically apply that feedback to future prompts.

Pros:

• Multiple tiers: Choose which plan best suits your budget and content needs.
• Tool Suite: Also offers image and voice capabilities through Audiosonic and Photosonic.
• Versatile: Suitable for various types of writing projects (not just manuscripts).

Cons:

• Not Perfect for Everyone: May not meet all writing needs and may not be as in-depth as other tools.
• Not Specific to Publishing: This is more of a general AI tool than a manuscript-specific one.

Cost:

• WriteSonic offers a free plan and individual plans starting at $16 per month.

#5: Squibler

Squibler is a versatile writing tool known for its user-friendly interface and more comprehensive feature set, making it a great choice for fiction and nonfiction authors, writers, and publishers.

Best Use Cases:

• Fast Drafting: Helps you quickly draft your non-fiction book, novel, or screenplay quickly.
• Collaboration: Supports real-time collaboration, perfect for co-authors or editors.
• Templates: Offers a variety of templates to kickstart your writing process.

Pros:

• User-Friendly: Easy to navigate and use, even for beginners.
• Collaboration Tools: Allows for seamless teamwork on your writing projects.
• Goal Tracking: Keeps you on track with word count and chapter goals.

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features: The free version only allows 6,000 AI words generated per month.
• Genre Limitations: Its nonfiction writing capabilities are mostly specific to memoirs.

Cost:

Squibler offers a free plan or a $20 per month plan for premium subscribers.

How Do You Know Which AI Writing Tools Are Worth Trying?

Here are some things to look out for when you're comparing AI writing software:

Accuracy and Reliability

In a perfect world, AI will always be accurate and reliable.

That includes things like:

• Context Understanding: The AI should get what you’re saying and keep the flow consistent.
• Error-Free Text: The tools should produce clean, polished content that doesn't require rewriting from scratch.
• Regular Updates: A good AI gets regular updates to stay sharp and current (look out for knowledge cutoffs, which are usually disclosed in the terms and conditions).

User Interface and Experience

Publishing takes a lot of focus and planning, so a smooth user interface can make a world of difference.

Look for:

• Clean Layout: A cluttered dashboard isn't going to help produce a clean, organized manuscript.
• Intuitive Navigation: You want something easy to navigate without a ton of instructions and training videos required just to get started.
• Personalized Assistance: Look for tools that adapt to your writing style and needs.

Support and Community

Good support and an active community can be lifesavers, especially when you find yourself hitting a mental roadblock.

Look for companies that provide these things on top of the AI writing tool:

• Active Online Community: A place to share ideas and get tips from other users.
• Comprehensive Documentation: Helpful guides and FAQs that make using the tool easier.
• Responsive Customer Support: Quick, helpful responses when you need help.

Cost and Value

Ghostwriters, editors, and graphic designers start to add up, so your AI tools should help you get the best bang for your buck.

Think about:

• Pricing Plans: Compare different tools and see whether you can save money on an annual plan or whether the free plan is actually sufficient for your content needs.
• Value for Money: Look for tools that offer more holistic features to help you across multiple steps of the publishing process versus just writing or editing.

Use Cases and Practical Applications

There is always something new to learn about AI—even for those of us who have been using it for years.

Here are some practical ways to put these new tools to good use:

1. Research and Outline:

• AI tools like Squibler and Publishing.ai can simplify your research process, gather valuable information, and create a detailed outline for your book.

2. Content Generation and Improvement:

• Tools like ChatGPT and WriteSonic can speed up your writing by offering suggestions to improve your storytelling and convey information in a different way.

3. Editing and Proofreading:

• Scrivener can help you organize and manage your writing process, making editing and proofreading more efficient.

4. SEO Optimization:

• AI tools like WriteSonic can help you craft content that's already optimized for search engines to improve your book's online visibility.

5. Language Translation:

• WriteSonic and ChatGPT are already testing out translation, which can be a great way to add an additional income stream and reach new book markets. (In our opinion, these capabilities still aren't completely perfect, but they're definitely on their way there.)

Which AI Writing Tools Offer the Best Value for Money for Non-fiction Writers?

Publishing.ai does things a little differently than most AI writing tools. For one, it's specifically designed for DIY publishers and authors, and the main goal is to simplify the publishing process as much as possible.

From just one dashboard, you can generate:

-Unlimited book topic ideas

-Hefty customer and market research reports

-Optimized book outlines

-First-draft manuscripts based on your ideal chapter count ready for polishing and editing

See how Publishing.ai is changing the publishing industry!

Are There Any Free AI Writing Applications Suitable for Non-fiction Books?

If you're a non-fiction writer balling on a really tight budget, ChatGPT's free plan is the way to go.

Most blogs are going to recommend ChatGPT because it's so accessible and easy to practice with.

Sure, its output isn't always going to be perfect, but even if it can help you save a few hours of research time, that's ultimately more freedom over your time and schedule (which is why most people want to start publishing in the first place).

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