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Georgia Kirke, a seasoned expert in business coaching, has introduced Clio Books, an innovative publishing venture that merges artificial intelligence with human creativity and editorial skills to expedite the book-making process. This platform has already begun to attract recognition within the publishing sector, aiming to tackle a long-standing issue: aiding authors, especially those with busy schedules, in turning their concepts into polished manuscripts ready for submission.
Kirke emphasizes the efficiency of Clio, stating, “You can create your first draft in Clio in less than 12 hours,” underscoring the potential of her patented AI-assisted authorship system, which is recognized in both the U.S. and U.K.
Her journey into this realm of AI-assisted publishing began over ten years ago, spurred by a common concern expressed by the entrepreneurs she worked with. “Many expressed a desire to compile their ideas into a book but were unsure of the process and lacked the time or motivation to write,” Kirke recalled.
Structured approach
This insight led Kirke to found Write Business Results in 2015, a company that has successfully crafted over 100 books using a meticulous methodology involving in-depth interviews. Kirke would personally transcribe these discussions to help authors shape their narratives. The rise of large language models (LLMs) in recent years inspired Kirke to digitize and enhance this process, culminating in the formation of Clio Books.
The Clio workflow begins with a strategic planning stage where authors respond to queries regarding the book’s objectives, target demographic, and main topics. Based on these responses, the AI proposes a draft structure for the book. Authors then enter a “talking plan” phase, where they verbally respond to prompts generated by the AI.
Generally, a book consists of nine to ten chapters, produced through several prompts per chapter. Kirke notes that authors are encouraged to limit their responses to under ten minutes per prompt, aiming for a target word count of around 70,000 words, as this is a common expectation of trade publishers. However, she reassures that the platform accommodates a range of book lengths, from succinct 40,000-word “business card books” to more substantial works of up to 120,000 words.
Supporting creativity
Kirke emphasizes that Clio is designed not to supplant human creativity but to enhance it. “It’s not the AI that creates your content for you,” she explained. “It provides a framework and workflow, along with accountability, but it does not stifle your creative process.”
Crucially, human editors play a vital role in Clio’s service. “As of now, AI lacks the ability to fully grasp the subtleties of human communication,” she pointed out. “Having an experienced editor involved is essential.”
To support her vision and address potential skepticism, Kirke authored and published Adopting AI in Publishing, a book that delves into the complexities and possibilities of AI within the publishing industry. “It presents my perspective on the responsible use of AI, highlighting where it can be beneficial while also identifying areas of concern,” she said.
Clio Books provides two main service packages: Clio Premium at £2,799, which encompasses planning, drafting, and editing, and Clio Professional at £7,799, which adds proofreading, cover and interior design, along with self-publishing assistance. As of early October, Clio has successfully initiated 163 books in various stages of development. The company’s inaugural traditionally published book, created through the Clio system, is scheduled for release in February 2025 via John Catt Educational Publishers.
Accelerating the book production process
Kirke sees significant potential for Clio to partner with conventional publishers, positioning the service as a method to quicken the book production timeline. “Publishers only start earning revenue once books are published,” she explained. “Delays can be detrimental to their financial health. Clio allows for a faster turnaround, reducing what might typically take 6 to 18 months to just one month.”
She asserts that Clio exemplifies an ethical application of AI in the publishing field. “Historically, the publishing industry has approached new technologies with caution—AI is no different,” Kirke noted. “Yet, tools like Clio Books promise to streamline operations and enhance efficiency, ultimately generating new revenue possibilities for publishers.”
Source
www.publishersweekly.com