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Fauzia Burke on the Role of AI in Book Publishing

Ahead of her keynote speech at the Publishing Professionals Network conference in Berkeley, California, veteran publicist Fauzia Burke shared her insights on the integration of artificial intelligence in the book publishing industry. As the founder of FSB Associates and author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors, Burke has nearly 30 years of experience in the evolving landscape of publishing technology and is optimistic about the potential of AI tools.

Burke’s Advocacy for AI in Publishing

Burke describes her position as an enthusiastic advocate for the adoption of AI within the publishing sector. She acknowledges a common hesitancy among professionals in the industry towards embracing technological advancements, noting a recurring theme of resistance to change. “I want to spark curiosity and interest in how AI can enhance our work,” she emphasizes.

Starting with Marketing

When it comes to implementing AI tools, Burke points to marketing as a key area for publishers to explore. “Marketing is a common challenge,” she explains. “With increasing workloads and limited staff, relying more on authors for this aspect complicates matters.” She highlights the potential for AI to alleviate some of this burden by assisting in tasks like writing press releases and managing metadata.

AI and Human Collaboration

Burke believes that the future of publishing lies in the collaboration between AI and human creativity. “As content creation becomes more scalable, the challenge will be maintaining the value of that content,” she warns. Authenticity, she argues, is a unique quality that AI cannot replicate, marking a distinguishing factor in the work produced by human authors.

Real-World Application of AI in Publicity

Burke shared a recent example of utilizing AI in her publicity efforts. Faced with a tight deadline for a client’s interview responses, she employed ChatGPT to consolidate transcripts from previous podcast interviews and the book’s introduction, allowing her to provide coherent answers promptly. “Traditionally, I would have crafted these responses manually, but AI enabled me to work faster,” she recalls.

Addressing Copyright Concerns

When addressing concerns about AI and copyright infringement, Burke acknowledges the legitimacy of fears related to content ownership and originality. Citing Thad McIlroy, she refers to the concept of AI “stealing” material as a valid concern. However, she challenges the prevailing narrative of a dystopian future shaped by AI, suggesting instead a vision where technology contributes positively to societal issues. “AI lacks true originality—it can mimic but not create in the way humans do,” she asserts.

Recommended AI Tools for Publishers

Among the AI tools she recommends, Burke advocates for Gamma for creating presentations, which she compares favorably to Canva. For market research, SparkToro provides valuable insights about demographics and relevant community engagement online. She also recommends Perplexity for search and highlights Adobe Express’s infographic program. For editing, she continues to find value in Grammarly while maintaining a preference for precise editing rather than substantial rewrites.

Impact of AI on Publishing Jobs

Burke does not believe that AI will outright replace jobs in publishing, but rather transform them. She anticipates that future roles will require a comfort level with AI, as efficiency demands grow. “I want employees to use their creative skills in ways that technology cannot replicate,” she explains.

The Evolving Author-Publicity Relationship

Burke observes that modern publicity and marketing heavily depend on the author’s personal brand and following. Publishers increasingly seek authors with substantial social media presence, particularly on platforms like TikTok. For authors who do not have an established following, Burke notes that building visibility and credibility becomes essential. “Securing publicity may not directly translate into immediate book sales, but it opens doors to speaking engagements and broader recognition,” she concludes.

Source
www.publishersweekly.com