How I Use AI Without Letting It Write My Books

Writers are arguing about AI. But the better question is: how can we use the tools without giving up the work? In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin walks through his real-world writing and publishing process—from daily word counts and “looping” through a manuscript, to using AI as an editing and continuity tool, to working with a street team, setting up preorders, and getting a new book ready for launch. Kevin also digs into the bigger conversation around AI-written books, Barnes & Noble, copyright, publishing quality, and why human creativity still matters. AI can help spot typos, organize feedback, identify continuity issues, and make the workflow faster—but it should not replace the writer. For writers, creatives, and creative entrepreneurs, this episode is about building a process that helps you finish more work, publish smarter, and stay in control of your own voice. Subscribe to the channel for some of the best guidance on your writing and publishing journey—covering craft, creativity, publishing, author business, AI tools, indie publishing, and the mindset it takes to build a lasting creative career. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome back to the Wordslinger Podcast 00:27 New book update and upcoming announcement 01:22 Kevin’s writing and publishing process 02:31 Daily word count goals and creative problem-solving 03:28 Solving story problems by stepping away 04:05 The “looping” method for rewriting and momentum 05:29 Using AI to spot typos, errors, and continuity problems 07:06 What happens after the completed first draft 07:40 Street teams, beta readers, reviews, and launch prep 09:25 Moving from one finished book into the next project 10:13 Revisiting half-finished books and rewriting with fresh perspective 11:25 Using multiple AI tools to organize rewrite feedback 13:51 How every book improves the process 14:48 Numbered scenes, Scrivener, and better manuscript organization 17:20 How AI fits into Kevin’s workflow 18:05 Barnes & Noble, AI books, and quality control 21:38 Why bad AI books won’t replace real writers 22:29 AI as assistive technology for writers 25:54 Craft, technical skill, and the human difference 28:51 Why fully AI-generated writing still falls short 29:47 Amazon rules, AI disclosure, and editing tools 30:39 AI, copyright, and human creative control 34:21 Final thoughts and viewer comments LINKS MENTIONED & RESOURCES Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com ProWriting Aid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #AIWriting #AuthorTube #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritingTips #AmWriting #Publishing #WritersLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.