#PublishingReinvented 251 - Accountability Zoom Call this Friday + Human Editors Fight Back
Before the AI robots take over, please be aware that books need human editors. Here’s why:
Human and AI Editing Differ
While AI can speed up the editing process and catch common errors, human editors offer a far more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to refining a manuscript. Here’s how:
1. Understanding Context and Intent
AI struggles with interpreting the nuances of storytelling and argumentation. A novel may contain dialogue that intentionally breaks grammar rules to reflect a character’s personality or speech patterns. A nonfiction book may use rhetorical devices or regional expressions that AI might incorrectly flag as errors. A human editor understands context and can differentiate between deliberate stylistic choices and genuine mistakes.
2. Emotional Resonance and Tone Consistency
One of the most crucial aspects of editing is ensuring a consistent tone that resonates with the intended audience. AI can analyze sentence structure and suggest rewrites, but it cannot determine if the prose feels engaging, emotionally impactful, or aligned with the author’s voice. A human editor ensures that a horror novel maintains its eerie suspense throughout or that a business book remains authoritative yet accessible.
3. Narrative Flow and Structural Issues
While AI can flag passive voice or sentence length inconsistencies, it cannot assess whether a plot twist is too predictable or whether an argument is logically sound. Structural editing requires a deep dive into the manuscript’s overall flow, pacing, and coherence. A human editor can spot when a chapter lags, when a subplot doesn’t contribute to the main narrative, or when a nonfiction section needs better transitions to improve clarity. Good luck trying to get AI to do any of this.
4. Fact-Checking and Accuracy
For nonfiction books, accuracy is critical. AI can cross-reference basic facts but cannot verify historical context, industry jargon, or evolving research trends. A human editor ensures that references are reliable, statistics are up-to-date, and content is factually correct, helping to maintain the author’s credibility.
5. Style and Subtext
Great writing isn’t just about technical accuracy—it’s about style and subtext. A novel with rich imagery or a memoir with a personal, conversational tone might be flagged by AI as “too complex” or “informal.” A human editor recognizes and preserves the elements that make writing unique, ensuring that editing enhances rather than dilutes an author’s voice.
Our 2nd Accountability Group is this Friday 21st March and will take place every 3rd Friday of the month for the remainder of 2025.
Our purpose is to help us all build motivation, structure, and support, to beat procrastination back, foster all growth, share goals and boost self discipline.
Join us for a more productive, inspiring, and ultimately rewarding journey.
For the Zoom link click here.
All welcome.
1hr approx. It’s at this time:
9AM Pacific = 11AM Central = Noon Eastern = 5PM GMT on Friday.
#PublishingReinvented is the Substack you’ve been looking for.
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