You’ve used AI to generate sections of your book, and it looks pretty good on the surface. The sentences are grammatically correct, the paragraphs flow, and it seems coherent. But here’s a critical warning for entrepreneurs and coaches: the illusion of quality”\ in AI-generated prose can mask significant weaknesses that undermine your book’s impact and your professional credibility.

One manuscript I edited this year repeated one of the terms the author used in describing their philosophy hundreds of times—so often, in fact, that the repetition was noticeable and detracted from the integrity of the manuscript. It sounded artificial, unimaginative, and thoughtless, unlike the author, who is one of the most brilliant, heart-centred people I’ve ever met. The repetition also made the writing seem unoriginal … and written by AI. Which it largely had been, although the author confirmed he had extensively revised the manuscript to improve the writing. I ended up going through the manuscript numerous times and rewriting countless sentences to bring some life into the document … and eliminate the over-use of that one single term. Great writing is not repetitive.

A lot of people note that AI writing tends to be dull, but I also feel that the less-than-stellar quality of AI writing isn’t just because it sounds bland; it’s also fails to differentiate the author from the countless other people in their niche.Your book is a tool for your mission and your business—it needs to stand out, offer fresh perspectives, and resonate deeply with your audience. Generic writing does the opposite, even if you ask for a particular voice to be embedded in the copy.

Furthermore, AI’s lack of originality tends to reinforce conventional wisdom so if you’re building a business around innovative ideas or a unique approach, an AI that simply regurgitates what’s already out there will actively work against your goals. Your readers are looking for your unique perspective, not a rehash of common knowledge.

As I mentioned in another post, one of the most insidious issues with AI writing is the illusion of quality. AI can generate text that appears polished, but beneath the surface, it might hide:

• Weak Thinking: The ideas might be superficial or not fully developed
• Unsupported Assertions: In my experience as an editor, I’ve found that statements often lack the necessary backing or evidence
• Logical Gaps and Circular Reasoning: The arguments the author is trying to make might not actually make sense or sentences might loop back on themselves without actually making a clear point
• Superficial Analysis: The content might skim the surface instead of providing deep, meaningful insights
• Clichés and Contradictions: Overused phrases and conflicting statements can run throughout the text

Imagine a potential client reading your book, only to find that your core arguments are flimsy, or your insights are generic. This doesn’t build trust or substantiate your expertise; it erodes both.

How Human Coaching and Excellent Editing Bridge the Gap

This is precisely where the expertise of a human author coach and a professional editor becomes invaluable. A good coach or editor will challenge you to dig deeper, refine your thinking, and articulate your truly original insights. They help you develop a unique intellectual approach to your knowledge,and they push you past the standard ideas and expressions that AI excels at … towards genuinely groundbreaking thought.

What’s more, professional editors don’t just proofread; they evaluate the intellectual underpinnings of your manuscript as a whole and each sentence individually. They ensure that ideas build upon one another logically and that your arguments are robust and well-supported. They catch the subtle inconsistencies in terminology, tone, and assumptions that AI often introduces across long manuscripts.

By investing in human expertise, you ensure your book moves beyond merely “polished” to truly profound, delivering the unique value your audience expects and your business deserves.

I see the value of AI and use it in my business. It comes up with some fabulous ideas for me!  But I am also aware of the dilution of excellence I’ve seen AI create in the field of book writing and I caution people against jumping uncritically on the AI book writing bandwagon. If you don’t have the skillset a highly trained author coach and editor bring to a book manuscript, then hire that into your personal book writing process. It will help ensure the book you are writing is designed around the wisdom and insights you alone can bring to the world and present that information with a high degree of excellence.

Awakening Author Blogs