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Can AI Write My Book?
First-Time Authors, Author Coaching Jocelyn Carbonara First-Time Authors, Author Coaching Jocelyn Carbonara

Can AI Write My Book?

Recently, I listened to a podcast with other editors chiming in about book-related topics. A conversation struck my interest around the use of AI in publishing. One question went something like, “Should an author use AI to write their book?”

The answers were a bit mixed, with one editor saying, “definitely,” and others offering softer versions of “maybe.” Even the “definitely” editor (definitely) presented some strict caveats. So I’d like to chime in with my experience—and opinions—on the topic.

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Entrepreneurial-Memoir Author PJ Ohashi: If I Could Change My Life, So Could Anyone
Author Spotlight Jocelyn Carbonara Author Spotlight Jocelyn Carbonara

Entrepreneurial-Memoir Author PJ Ohashi: If I Could Change My Life, So Could Anyone

We periodically feature guest input from impactful authors we’ve worked with. Please enjoy this Q&A about the writing process with entrepreneurial-memoir author PJ Ohashi.

SPIRITUS BOOKS: Tell us a little about your book and why you wrote it.

OHASH: Rage to Riches is a business memoir, sharing the story of a company I helped found, grow, and eventually sell. But beyond business anecdotes is a common thread of how I use anger as an effective motivational tool. Throughout the book, you will find various experiences, along with some fabricated scenarios, that provide fuel for change and positivity.

I wrote Rage to Riches for a few reasons, some of which I didn’t discover till well into the process.

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What If I Can’t Afford a Ghostwriter?
Ghostwriting, First-Time Authors Scott Carbonara Ghostwriting, First-Time Authors Scott Carbonara

What If I Can’t Afford a Ghostwriter?

Around 375 BCE, Plato wrote something truly profound. But since few modern readers understand ancient Greek, we needed Benjamin Jowett (1817–1893) to translate those words into something we could grasp: "The true creator is necessity, who is the mother of our invention." Today, we just say, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

History lesson aside, many clients have told me something like, “I want to work with you. But I can’t afford it.”

I understand completely. I meet with about twenty clients before I find one with the passion and financial resources to hire me. But what about the other nineteen? Should they just give up on their dreams? Of course not.

Here’s what I tell those who aren’t in a place to hire me as a ghostwriter.

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The Truth, Your Truth: Navigating the Ethics of Memoir Writing
Author Coaching, First-Time Authors Jocelyn Carbonara Author Coaching, First-Time Authors Jocelyn Carbonara

The Truth, Your Truth: Navigating the Ethics of Memoir Writing

Knowing how to share the truth in your memoir can feel muddling. Let me demystify this process from a book editor’s perspective.

We’ve provided editing and ghostwriting for authors with trauma and abuse. Just as often, we help authors tell stories of entrepreneurial success. One of the top concerns we hear from all memoir authors is: How much of the truth should I tell? And how should I do it?

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Writing Engaging Blogs or Articles
Author Coaching, Marketing Scott Carbonara Author Coaching, Marketing Scott Carbonara

Writing Engaging Blogs or Articles

Since book authors also often write articles or blog posts, I want to share some tips on how to do it effectively. But instead of writing a how-to post, I want to show you an example of engaging short-form copy, such as might appear in a blog (on leadership, which is another of my businesses as a speaker and consultant). I’ll break the article itself down by sharing elements [in bold and brackets, like this] that, obviously, wouldn’t typically appear in a published article. These are tips you should be mindful of when you write.

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