Learn how to write a book with AI, free or paid. Discover tips, tools, and answers about legality, publishing, and selling on Amazon.
So you’re wondering how to write a book with AI? The good news is you don’t need to exile yourself to a cabin in the woods, living on coffee and vague inspiration.
With the right AI writing assistant, you can brainstorm faster, outline smarter, and finally finish that book you’ve been “planning” for years. The question isn’t: Can you write a book with AI? (yes, you can).
It’s about using AI effectively while maintaining your unique style. Tools like Sudowrite and BookWizard become your partner in brainstorming, drafting, and editing – all while leaving the creative decisions to you.
So, what’s the best software to write a novel with? Let’s look at the process step by step.
Contents
Is it legal to write a book with AI?
One of the first questions people ask is, “Can I write a book with AI?” The answer is yes – and many writers already are.
Authors have begun publishing AI-assisted novels and nonfiction works on platforms like Amazon, often using AI-writing assistants like Sudowrite or BookWizard to overcome creative blocks, draft chapters, or refine their prose.
That leads to the next question: “Is it legal to write a book with AI?” The answer, again, is yes. There is nothing unlawful about using AI to assist with writing. U.S. copyright law is clear: what matters is originality and human authorship, not the tools you use.
In fact, the U.S. Copyright Office recently clarified that works generated entirely by AI, with no human involvement, cannot be copyrighted. However, if a writer uses AI as part of their writing process, providing direction, editing, and making creative decisions, the final book still qualifies for copyright.
A 2023 case involving an AI-generated comic book, Zarya of the Dawn, set an important precedent: while the AI-created images weren’t protected, the human-authored story was.
Here are the key takeaways every writer should know:
- AI-assisted writing is legal. You can brainstorm, draft, and edit with AI without breaking any laws.
- Only humans can hold copyright. AI can’t be listed as an author.
- Human creativity is essential. A manuscript written entirely by AI with no human input may not qualify for copyright protection.
- The writer remains the author. As long as you are shaping, editing, and guiding the book, the rights belong to you.
In other words, using an AI-writing tool like Sudowrite or BookWizard to get unstuck or to expand your ideas doesn’t diminish your ownership. You’re still the creative force behind the work.
The law doesn’t care whether you wrote with pen and paper, a laptop, or an AI co-writer – it only cares that the book reflects your own creative choices.
How to write a novel with AI step-by-step
Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. But with AI, the journey becomes less overwhelming. Here are the best ways to write a book with AI while keeping control of your story:
Step #1: Choose the right tool
You can learn how to write a novel with ChatGPT, but while free AI models like ChatGPT assist with brainstorming, they have word limits, rough phrasing, and limited memory for long-term projects.
If your goal is to write a finished novel, Sudowrite and BookWizard are specifically designed for authors. They can help with everything from outlining to rewriting, making these AI novel writing tools the best way to write a book with AI assistance.
Step #2: Generate topic ideas
If you’re stuck, ask Sudowrite or BookWizard to suggest fresh story angles, themes, or tropes. You might discover combinations you’d never think of yourself – like a romance set on Mars, or a detective mystery with a culinary twist. Having multiple options at the start gives you creative freedom.
Step #3: Start with an outline
A novel needs structure. You can use AI to generate different plot structures. Sudowrite can help you create detailed beat sheets or act structures or explore multiple story arcs (3-act structure, Hero’s Journey, etc.).
BookWizard can walk you through brainstorming topics, building an outline, and generating a complete manuscript, which makes it especially helpful if you’re short on time or just don’t know where to begin.
Refine these outlines until you land on the one that fits. Experimenting with multiple outlines and comparing them prevents messy drafts later.
Step #4: Build complex characters
Characters make or break a novel. Use creative AI writing tools to brainstorm character traits, goals, flaws, quirks, and relationships. Sudowrite’s brainstorming tools can help you imagine different backstories or conflicts, making your cast feel layered and real.
Step #5: Start worldbuilding at scale
Whether your story is set in a magical kingdom, a dystopian city, or a quiet town, Sudowrite can help flesh out the world’s history, culture, and rules. Save these details in a “world bible” so your novel stays consistent.
Step #6: Draft scene by scene
Don’t ask the AI to write 80,000 words in one shot. Instead, guide it through chapters and scenes. Sudowrite’s “Expand” feature lets you take a few sentences and turn them into full scenes without losing your voice.
Step #7: Show, don’t tell
Many first drafts sound flat. Creative AI writing tools like Sudowrite excel at rewriting flat text into dynamic, sensory-rich scenes. For example, “The forest was scary” becomes “The trees loomed, their twisted branches whispering in the wind as shadows stretched across the path.”
Sudowrite or BookWizard can help you write the kind of prose that keeps readers hooked. You can highlight a section and ask it to rewrite with more vivid descriptions, richer dialogue, or stronger emotions. For example, “She was nervous” becomes “Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the keys.”
Step #8: Edit with intent
AI gives you clay, but you’re the sculptor. Review every chapter to ensure your voice shines through. Sudowrite can also suggest rewrites in different tones – dramatic, witty, or suspenseful – giving you multiple options to choose from.
By combining these strategies, you’ll discover the best way to write a novel with AI – fast drafts plus thoughtful revisions. This step-by-step process answers the question, “How can I write a book with AI?” by breaking it down into clear steps and using the tool as a partner, not a ghostwriter.
Where AI sometimes fails (and you still matter)
AI is powerful, but it isn’t perfect. For instance, when I tried to write a novel with ChatGPT, I faced issues with consistency and factual errors. Here’s where you, the human writer, need to take control:
- Character consistency. AI may swap names, ages, or personality traits across chapters. Keep a character sheet handy to track details.
- Timeline and continuity. Stories can drift – your character might leave New York and somehow appear in Tokyo a scene later without explanation.
- Factual accuracy. AI isn’t always reliable with dates, science, or geography. Double-check everything.
- Historical accuracy. Writing historical fiction? Be careful. AI might sneak in modern slang or technology.
- Research reliability. AI sometimes invents information that sounds real but isn’t. Always fact-check.
- Human motivation. Subtle emotional depth is hard for AI to master. As the author, you bring authentic psychology and human truth to the page.
AI-writing tools like Sudowrite or BookWizard give you strong drafts, but your edits ensure the novel feels believable and emotionally engaging.
Can you write a book with AI for free?
You can write a book with AI for free using basic models or free trials. If you’re just experimenting, this is a good start. You can learn how to write a novel with ChatGPT for free, and you might even finish a draft.
But free tools often limit session length, forget context, and produce clunkier sentences. The time spent editing and cleaning up prose can outweigh the savings.
That’s why many serious writers upgrade to Sudowrite or BookWizard – they are designed for long-form projects and keep track of your characters, tone, and flow.
While Sudowrite shines in creative fiction writing, BookWizard supports a wide range of genres, from practical nonfiction like business, health, and travel, to creative fiction like romance, thrillers, and fantasy.
And to help writers make the most of their publishing journey, BookWizard offers a guide to emerging book niches, which can be a useful resource if you’re hoping to tap into what’s trending in the market.
If your goal is a published novel you can sell, investing in a paid AI novel writing assistant will save you time and frustration.
How to write a book with AI and sell on Amazon
Once your manuscript is polished, you can absolutely publish and sell it. Here’s how:
- Check originality. Ensure your story is unique and not copied from existing works. AI-generated text is fine as long as it’s thoroughly edited to reflect your voice.
- Format and design properly. Readers judge books by covers and formatting. Use tools like Kindle Create to make your book look professional. Hire a professional book cover designer to design your book cover.
- Upload to KDP. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform lets you upload your manuscript and cover, set a price, and publish worldwide.
- Market strategically. AI can draft blurbs, ad copy, and social posts, but you need to plan the book launch and execute it well. Reviews, newsletters, and promotions matter.
Yes, you can legally write a book with AI and sell it on Amazon. Many authors already do. The winning formula is AI speed + human editing + solid marketing.
Humans + AI = The perfect writing team
Writing a book doesn’t have to take years or leave you frustrated with blank pages. AI tools like Sudowrite and BookWizard make the process faster, more creative, and far less stressful. You can brainstorm, outline, draft, and polish with AI’s help – while still bringing your unique perspective to the final manuscript.
So if you’ve ever wondered: can you write a book with AI and sell it? The answer is yes. And if you’ve been asking: how do I write a book with AI without losing my voice? The answer is: by using AI as a collaborator, not a replacement.
Because in the end, readers don’t care if you used an AI writing assistant. They care about the story you told – the one only you could create. Ready to bring your ideas to life? Try Sudowrite or BookWizard and see how much easier (and more fun) writing your book can be.
Book writing tips
- How to write a book with no experience
- Best book writing software for beginners
- Best AI story generator & AI poem generator tools
- ChatGPT: Writing & self-publishing an eBook using AI
- 11 pre-writing strategies for writers and authors
- Learn how to write a book with free book writing classes
- How to build an author brand and platform
- How to write poetry for beginners
- How to write a romance novel for beginners
- How to learn creative writing skills and be a better writer
- 35 best author writing style examples for writing inspiration
- Best creative writing MasterClasses by MasterClass authors
- 7 habits of the most successful writers and famous authors
- How to write a bestseller and become a bestselling author
- Amazon Kindle publishing: How to publish a book on Amazon for free
© 2025, Priya Florence Shah. All rights reserved.
Priya Florence Shah is a bestselling author and an award-winning blogger. Check out her book on emotional self-care for women. Priya writes short stories and poetry and chills with her two-legged and four-legged kids in her spare time.
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