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After submitting his new book, The AI Revolution in Book Publishing: A Concise Guide to Navigating Artificial Intelligence for Writers and Publishers, author Thad McIlroy faced an unexpected challenge when Ingram flagged his publication, issuing a “Catalog Integrity Notice” and removing it from distribution.
McIlroy noted to PW that while a book discussing AI might conventionally be suspected of being created with AI tools, he had only utilized such tools minimally. “About 1% of the book overall was touched by AI,” he explained, highlighting sections that guide readers in interacting with Claude.ai and illustrating how he employed ChatGPT to generate alt-text for images, enhancing accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.
However, the major writing of the book was entirely his own. McIlroy speculated that Ingram’s detection mechanisms mistakenly categorized his work as fully generated by AI, a sign of the current complexities surrounding artificial intelligence in publishing.
Fortunately, the situation improved swiftly after McIlroy brought the issue to light on social media. By the following Monday, the flagged status was resolved, allowing for the book’s timely release. Still, this incident raised concerns for McIlroy about the potential for other authors to encounter similar challenges and whether Ingram’s appeals process is adequately equipped to handle such disputes.
As a contributing editor at PW, where he explores the intersection of technology and the publishing sector, McIlroy aimed to deliver a straightforward yet informative overview of AI’s implications for writers and publishers. The book discusses various topics, such as metadata, licensing, and the hurdles that publishers must navigate when establishing AI-related policies. He also evaluates emerging AI startups in the publishing landscape—McIlroy curates a database of these startups that readers can access through the PW website—and offers guidance on how authors and publishers can effectively utilize AI tools.
A unique aspect of the book’s release strategy involved initially making it available for free online via LeanPub, allowing for early access and community engagement. “I published a 75% version, then a 90% version, and finally a 100% version,” McIlroy explained, noting that this iterative process enabled him to incorporate community feedback actively.
Moreover, McIlroy didn’t just discuss AI in his book; he harnessed it to produce translations, enabling the work to reach audiences in 31 languages beyond English, including Swedish and Thai. He stated, “Some nuance was lost, but no one would fail to understand what I’m talking about,” clarifying that he utilized spot checks and reverse translation to ensure translation quality.
Additionally, the audiobook edition offers six variations, developed through AI translation and narration techniques. It includes three different English language versions featuring American, U.K., and Indian accents, along with translations into French, German, and Spanish.
Following the initial issue with Ingram, the company now distributes McIlroy’s book in multiple formats, including print, e-pub, and PDF. The title is also listed on Amazon, and McIlroy has made it accessible for free as a web page through LeanPub with a flexible pricing model allowing readers to pay what they choose, resulting in the author retaining 80% of sales.
To help cover production expenses, McIlroy secured sponsorship from four companies: Firebrand Technologies, Perfect Bound, Shimmr, and Veristage. He noted that while sponsorship can be a pragmatic funding method, many publishers have been hesitant to adopt this approach.
When discussing AI’s current effect on the publishing industry, McIlroy observed that the sector remains in an exploratory stage. However, he predicted that if utilized effectively, AI could catalyze a revenue increase of 20-25% through enhanced formats and improved metadata and marketing, often at minimal costs. “Imagine an entire book searchable through AI, the amount of discovery that could lead to,” McIlroy suggested. “That alone should spark curiosity.”
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www.publishersweekly.com