Getting started on the first draft of a book can be overwhelming. What do you want the tone of your book to be? What does your book outline look like?

The world of publishing is ever-evolving, and new AI tools like ChatGPT are helping people around the world brainstorm new book topics, craft the perfect tone for their books, and much more. In this blog, you’ll gain a basic understanding of ChatGPT, the good and bad, and ChatGPT prompts you use as templates for your own publishing journey!

Note: if you want to skip the long hours prompting and editing a book, try Publishing.ai. Our AI book writing tool allows you to instantly generate high-demand book ideas, craft detailed outlines based on real reader insights, and produce a full-length manuscript in a fraction of the time—without sacrificing quality. Our exclusive tool is only available for students of our publishing course. If you are interested in finding out more, sign up for this webinar.

What is ChatGPT?

By definition, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that uses natural language processing (NLP) to generate human-like conversations and responses. It’s basically a smart tool that’s been trained to write text similar to a human would. You give it a few ideas or prompts, and it can generate paragraphs, suggestions, or entire chapters based on what you ask. Think of it as a virtual assistant, helping you write stories, articles, or books on any topic you describe.

In fact, it is one of the top AI writing tools on the market.

Prompting is the art of communicating with AI language models like ChatGPT. It involves crafting specific instructions or questions to guide the AI's output. When you prompt ChatGPT, you're essentially training it in real-time to understand your needs and produce relevant responses. The effectiveness of prompting lies in its details; small changes in your instructions can seriously impact the quality and relevance of the AI's output. A well-crafted prompt can lead to insightful, accurate responses, while a vague or poorly worded one might result in irrelevant or unhelpful information. This is why mastering the skill of prompting is important for using AI language models.

Benefits of AI-Generated Book Prompts

ChatGPT can be a great resource for soon-to-be publishers wanting to kick-start their journey into self-publishing. While many writers still prefer a pen-and-paper type method, there’s no denying that by using ChatGPT or other AI for book writing, you can:

• Be More Efficient and Creative: Using an AI tool can quickly generate many ideas, helping you avoid writer's block. It can also add depth to topics you already know well, which helps solidify your position as an expert on your subject.

• Customize Your Content and Be Relevant for Your Audience: AI-generated prompts can be tailored to your specific audience, ensuring the content resonates with readers in your niche.
• ‍Access Expert Insights: AI tools can provide up-to-date information and insights, helping you stay informed about current trends and topics. This way, you can avoid outdated or assumed information, making your book more reliable.

A Word of Caution to Writers

While ChatGPT is great for aiding your writing process, there are a few things to be mindful of:

• Your Unique Tone and Voice: It’s important to remember that your unique voice is what makes your writing special.

• Check the Facts: Always double-check the facts any AI tools generate because even people make mistakes; after all, AI was created by humans.

• Add Your Human Touch: AI writing can miss the depth and nuance that only your personal experiences bring. So, be mindful that you’re using AI tools for inspiration, not creation.

‍Heard all you need to hear? Ready to roll up your sleeves? Start walking through the process with our free webinar, and get your book published now! Our expert self-publishing coaches will take you by the hand and reveal a proven system that hundreds of students have used to add some supplemental income to their bank accounts. See for yourself and sign up today.

Starting Simple: ChatGPT Book Writing Ideas

It’s time to get what you came for: ChatGPT prompts for writing a book. Our goal is to be the spark that ignites your creativity, so we've compiled a list of common topics from our self-published students. As you read, keep an eye out for relatable topics. Once you find your favorite prompt, simply copy and paste it into ChatGPT and watch as it builds the foundation for your book. Just remember to add your own thoughts, ideas, and experiences—because your originality is precisely what the world needs.

Prompt 1 - A Self-Help Book for Busy Moms

Balancing family, home responsibilities, and part-time work is a skill many new moms strive to master. By writing a self-help book for busy moms, you have the power to share your experiences and advice, helping others overcome the same challenges you've faced. If you're passionate about time management or the importance of self-care, be sure to include those insights in your prompt. ChatGPT will then create a short outline to get you thinking like a true self-publisher, enabling you to impact the lives of busy moms everywhere.

“Write a practical guide on balancing work, family, and personal time. Include tips on time management, stress relief, and self-care.”

Prompt 2 - A Memoir of a Business Professional's Journey

By writing a memoir, you can offer valuable insights, lessons learned, and personal stories that resonate with those striving for success in their careers. Your experiences can guide others, showing them they're not alone in their challenges. If there's a particular aspect of your journey—like overcoming obstacles or achieving work-life balance—be sure to highlight it in your prompt.

“I want to write a book documenting my business professional journey and detailing the lessons learned, challenges faced, and strategies for achieving career goals.”

‍Here's a helpful trick: Before you send a prompt through, add small snippets of your own stories. It might look like this: “Here’s some information about me: I graduated from university and worked up the corporate ladder. I learned some hard truths about management, friendships, and work-life balance. Use this information to document my journey as a business professional, detailing the lessons learned, challenges faced, and strategies for achieving career goals.”

As you work through sections of your book, continue to sprinkle in your firsthand experiences.

Prompt 3 - A Wellness Guide for Seniors

As you enter your golden years, being mindful of your body is essential. While countless books focus on getting toned abs quickly, that's not what most seniors are looking to explore. Writing a wellness guide for seniors, where you share tips on staying active, maintaining mental health, and nurturing your overall well-being, is a meaningful way to help the community lead more fulfilling lives.

‍“Create an entire guide on maintaining physical and mental health through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices.”

Prompt 4 - A Detailed Travel Guide to [insert your chosen location here]

Exploring new places can be a life-changing experience, but planning the perfect trip can be overwhelming. Help travelers make the most of their journey. Whether recommending the best local cuisine, uncovering scenic spots, or highlighting cultural experiences, your guide can turn an ordinary trip into an unforgettable adventure.

“Generate a travel guide for Hawaii, highlighting the best destinations, travel tips, and budget-friendly options.”

Prompt 5 - A Parenting Book for New Parents

Becoming a new parent is both exciting and scary, but having the proper guidance can make a world of difference. If movies get one thing right, it's that new parents often buy a billion new books looking for tips on feeding, sleep routines, and everything in between. As a parent, you already have all that great wisdom floating in your head, so put pen to paper, or in this case, prompt to ChatGPT, and help others navigate the joys and struggles of raising a child.

“Create a book that offers advice on child development, education, and nurturing strong family relationships.”

Digging Deeper: AI Writing Prompts for Books

Let’s take a closer look at more specific book prompts.

Prompt 6 - An In-Depth Leadership Manual

There are many working professionals of all ages looking to take the next steps in their careers, but sometimes, it's hard to find a start. By sharing your experiences, you could help them!

“Write a comprehensive guide on leadership, focusing on effective communication, team building, and decision-making skills. Make it valuable for [insert your chosen audience] looking to develop leadership skills.” 

A quick suggestion: Instruct ChatGPT on the tone you'd like to use. Some examples might be friendly, professional, entertaining, or inspirational. Whichever tone you pick, add to your prompt, "Use a [insert your chosen tone] tone."

Prompt 7 - A Comprehensive Guide on Managing Finances

Are you dialed in on your finances? Do you have sheets filled with years of trial and error? Well, pass on that knowledge and write an entire guide to help others needing financial advice.

“Create a detailed financial planning guide for [insert your chosen audience] that covers investment strategies, budgeting tips, and effective retirement fund management strategies.”

Prompt 8 - A Guide to Hacking Productivity

Sure, there are books out there that focus on being more productive, but do they include your tricks for hacking productivity? Probably not. 

“Write a book on productivity hacks and techniques to help [insert your chosen audience] make the most of their time. Include strategies for organizing tasks, setting goals, and staying motivated.”

Prompt 9 - A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Healthier

Turning your life around isn't an experience that just anyone can speak to. Getting healthier is a process, and if you’ve found success in that arena, then it’s time for you to do a show-and-tell.

“Offer practical advice on improving health through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Include easy-to-follow steps, encouraging statistics, and personal success stories.”

Important Note: ALWAYS return and add authentic stories when adding success stories.

Prompt 10 - Everything You Need to Know About Pickleball

Pickleball has blown up in recent years, so if you’re a pro with the paddles, it’s time to get writing!

‍“Write an informative guide on Pickleball, a popular sport for all ages. Include rules, strategies, and tips for playing and enjoying the game.”

Student Testimonial Break

Easy prompts like those above can generate extra income for anyone looking to transform their life through self-publishing. With guidance from our AI Publishing Academy, our student Karin has reached her goal, and now it’s your turn!

Check out our long list of students with reviews for Publishing.com.

Examples of Creative Writing Prompts for ChatGPT

Some people prefer to start with a very general idea, so let’s zoom out a bit and look at some big-picture ideas:

Cooking

The recipe for writing a bestselling cookbook involves selecting your audience, blending engaging and straightforward recipes, mixing in unique content, and seasoning with a captivating narrative. Simply ask ChatGPT for prompts for a cooking book.

“I want to create a cookbook filled with recipes from around the world. Create an outline with diverse recipes.”

Pro Tip: It’s best to include time-tested staples in your kitchen when suggesting recipes. Don't rely entirely on ChatGPT; it can’t even hold a spatula!

Home Improvement

Imagine you’re curating the ultimate home improvement book designed to elevate every space with elegance and functionality. Start by selecting transformative renovation projects that blend beauty and practicality. Offer readers step-by-step DIY guides and showcase stunning before-and-after transformations to inspire their own projects. You could even stretch this theme to an entire book series based on budget or design styles!

“Write an outline for a home improvement book. It should be a do-it-yourself guide for newlyweds who recently purchased their first home.”

Hobbies

An inspiring hobbies book would offer popular activities, detailed step-by-step guides, add first-hand knowledge, and incorporate fun tips. Start by listing your favorite hobbies and ask ChatGPT for book prompts on a few or all of your favorite hobbies.

“Write an engaging guide on [insert hobby or activity here], detailing the basics of getting started, essential tools and materials, and advanced techniques to master the craft.”

Sports

The game plan for writing an engaging sports book involves choosing your favorite sports topics, combining detailed how-to guides and personal insights, recalling memorable moments, and mixing in expert tips. Put in your sports of choice and let ChatGPT do the rest.

“Create a complete training manual for [insert sport here], covering fundamental skills, workout routines, strategies for improvement, and tips for beginners and advanced players.”

Religion

If anyone knows how to write a book, it's people in religion. So, if that’s you, all you have to do is choose insightful topics, blend reflections with guidance, and provide testimonies. Once you have this information, plug it into ChatGPT and ask for prompts on [insert religion here] books.

“Develop an insightful book on [insert religious topic or practice here], exploring its history, fundamental beliefs, and practical ways to incorporate it into daily life for spiritual growth.”

Quick Suggestion: Include your book's word count or the number of sentences you want for each section in your outline. 

How Can I Get Started Fast?

It’s as simple as starting a Google document, opening ChatGPT, and clicking “Start Now”! If you’re not 100% confident that you can figure out how to self-publish, you can learn from the experts.

Here at Publishing.com, we have years of experience and love helping people reach their goals.

No-Cost Training

To help writers close the gap between getting started and publishing, we created a free training course where you can learn and enjoy tons of information from published experts.

Expert-Led AI Publishing Training

When you become an AI Publishing Academy student, we teach you everything you need to be successful and provide industry tips you won't find anywhere else. Plus, our world-class support team will be there every step of the way. From complex tasks like structuring your book to simple tasks like opening a Google document, we've got you covered! 

Whatever you decide, Publishing.com is thrilled to be part of your self-publishing journey. Happy writing, folks!