How to Use AI to Write a Book in 2026
TL;DR: A step-by-step guide to using AI Tools for book writing. 6 actionable steps with real prompts you can copy and use today.
Why Use AI Tools for Book Writing
AI Tools can transform your book writing workflow. This guide walks you through 6 practical steps, from setup to advanced techniques, with copy-paste prompts for each step.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Outline with ChatGPT
Prompt: ‘Create a detailed book outline for a [genre] book about [topic]. Include chapter titles, key points per chapter, and a narrative arc. Target: [page count] pages.’ ChatGPT generates comprehensive outlines.
Step 2: Chapter Drafting with Claude
For each chapter, prompt: ‘Write Chapter [X]: [Title]. Here is the outline: [paste chapter outline]. Write in [your style] tone, approximately [word count] words. Previous chapters covered [brief summary].’ Claude produces the most natural prose.
Step 3: Research with Perplexity
For non-fiction: ‘Research [specific topic for chapter] and provide key facts, statistics, and expert quotes with citations. I am writing a book about [topic].’ Perplexity provides cited data you can verify.
Step 4: Editing with Grammarly and ProWritingAid
Run each chapter through Grammarly for grammar and ProWritingAid for style analysis. Fix overused words, passive voice, and pacing issues before the next round of editing.
Step 5: Cover Design with Midjourney
Prompt: ‘Book cover design for [genre] book titled [title], [style description], professional publishing quality.’ Generate 4 variations and refine your favorite with follow-up prompts.
Step 6: Final Review with Claude
Upload the entire manuscript to Claude (200K context handles most books). Prompt: ‘Review this manuscript for consistency, plot holes, character development issues, and pacing problems. Provide specific suggestions.’
Pro Tips
- Save your best prompts in a document for quick reuse
- Always review AI output before using in production
- Iterate on prompts — your first attempt is rarely the best
- Combine multiple AI tools for the best results
FAQ
How much time does this save?
Most users report saving 3-8 hours per week on book writing tasks with this workflow. The exact amount depends on volume and complexity.
Do I need the paid version?
The free tier of AI Tools handles most of these steps. Upgrade to paid if you consistently hit message or usage limits.
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