How AI Replaced Traditional Book Publishing Roles and Saved Me More Than £18,000

Discover how I utilised AI to revolutionise the traditional book publishing process, saving over £18,000 and bypassing the need for multiple professional roles. In self-publishing my historical fiction novel 'The Immortal Game', I harnessed AI technologies for editing, audiobook production, graphic design, and e-commerce setup, demonstrating that innovative tools can significantly reduce costs while maintaining quality. This journey was not just about efficiency but also a profound learning experience, enriching my skills and opening new possibilities for creative expression. Join me as I explore the potential of AI in transforming literary projects into published works.

I am very proud to have written and published a book! It's now available at immortalgame.co.uk. From the germ of an idea in my youth to the final, polished copy, writing my historical fiction novel under the pen name 'Matt Hewitt' has been a nostalgic thrill as well as a steep learning curve. Exploring and developing my writing voice began at the age of 17, when I had first ideas and creations. I had imagined plot twists, character arcs, and emotional interactions, but turning them into a polished, publishable piece seemed daunting.

This changed when I started using AI technologies. What appeared to be a daunting task—mastering the craft and developing the framework for my novel—became manageable. I was able to save approximately £18,000 by using AI to replace the responsibilities of several professionals. This story is not only a product of my imagination; it also demonstrates AI's ability to improve and strengthen solo endeavours. I encourage anyone thinking about starting a creative project to consider how AI can revolutionise your workflow, making what seemed impossible attainable. I'm excited to tell you more about how certain AI technologies helped me at different stages of the book writing process.

Throughout the process of self-publishing my historical fiction novel, I made several financial decisions that had a significant impact on my budget. With offers from experts in editing, voice acting, graphic design, and e-commerce consulting, the traditional path appeared not only expensive, but also intimidating. However, I chose an unconventional approach: using Artificial Intelligence to replace these services. Here's how AI saved me over £18,000:

Editing: Saved £1,800

A professional editor had quoted £1,800 for her services. Despite the high cost, I decided to use ChatGPT to edit my work. Although the result may differ slightly from what a seasoned editor could have produced, the savings were significant, and the final product was commendably close to professional standards. It took me 3 weeks to have it done, compared to 3 months that was offered by a professional editor.

Audiobook Production: Saved £5,961

A prominent UK voice actor quoted £6,000 for a two-month recording session of my 416-page manuscript. Instead, I spent $39 on a speech synthesis service that enabled me to use a legally compliant AI voice. In five days, I finished a 12-hour audiobook with both male and female voices and a pure British accent. This strategy stood out for its cost-effectiveness and timeliness.

Illustration: Saved £1,141

A professional graphic designer offered to create 30 images for £1,200. I chose DaVinci, an AI-driven graphic design programme that costs $59 per month. This technology provided me with the necessary graphics (150!) at a fraction of the cost, demonstrating how AI can efficiently replace human labour in graphic design while maintaining quality.

E-commerce Setup: Saved £3,000

The consulting fee for setting up my Shopify store was quoted as £3,000. Instead, I used ChatGPT to create a detailed plan for setting up the store on my own. The AI-generated instructions were clear and actionable, allowing me to set up my online store without the need for outside assistance and at no additional cost.

Cover Art: Saved £2,500

I received quotes ranging from £300 to £2,500 for the cover art. I designed the book cover myself with Canva, selecting fonts and visuals that captured the essence of my story. This enabled me to retain complete creative control while significantly lowering costs.

Personal Development and Future Goals

This project was more than just publishing a book; it was also an important personal journey of learning and skill development. By filling roles traditionally held by experts, I learned critical skills in editing, graphic design, audio production, and e-commerce. The process of developing the novel, its cover art, and the accompanying merchandise—which is now available on a dedicated website —has been a rewarding experience that has expanded my understanding of the complexities of book production. This novel is not only a personal achievement for me, but it also has the potential to be adapted into a Netflix series. If you share this vision or have ideas for turning literary works into scripts, your participation could help make this dream a reality.