There’s a cultural shift happening right now that indie authors can’t afford to ignore—and no, it’s not another social media platform we’re all supposed to pretend we love.
AI has officially crossed the line from “cool tech thing for nerds” into everyday life. Normal people—your neighbor, your dentist, probably your cousin who still hasn’t read your book—are now using AI to rewrite emails, plan meals, and figure out what to do with their lives. When Mark Manson starts emailing his list about “12 Prompts That Will Change Your Life,” we’re not in early-adopter territory anymore. This is mainstream.
Which means things are about to get noisy.
1. The Influencer Machine Has Switched On
Like clockwork, influencers have sniffed the air and started cranking out AI content. We’re seeing the usual suspects: “secret prompts,” lead magnets, and workshops that promise to teach you what “nobody else knows.” This is textbook behavior whenever a tech trend hits the early majority. The gold rush has started—except now the gold is your attention and possibly your credit card.
As a result, authors are now wading through a rising tide of:
- “You’re already behind” messaging
- FOMO-based courses and prompt packs
- Tutorials that sound more like rituals
- A lot of panic and not much clarity
2. Prompt Engineering Is So 2023
Let’s kill a myth while we’re here: You don’t need magical prompts to talk to AI.
That whole “You must begin your prompt with ‘You are a world-class expert in…’” thing? It’s mostly outdated. Modern AI tools respond better to natural conversation, context, and good old trial and error. The idea that you need “special prompts” is a manufactured barrier: something that gets sold, not something that works better.
If you can clearly explain what you want, you’re already doing it right.
3. We’ve Entered the ‘Email Phase’ of AI
Remember when email went from a novelty to something your dentist’s office started using? We’re at that moment with AI. Everyone’s heard of it, not everyone knows how it works, but it’s getting folded into daily workflows.
Which means it’s about to become…boring. (In a good way.)
The drama will subside, but the tools will stay, and they will get easier to use.
4. What This Means for Indie Authors
Here’s where we zoom in on you.
You don’t need to become an AI guru. But you do need to understand how this shift affects your visibility.
Even if you’re personally not into using AI for your business (a choice, but not necessarily a long-term one), you must set your platform up for the reality of widespread AI adoption.
Because here’s what people are starting to do:
“Hey, ChatGPT, recommend me some cozy mysteries set in the Pacific Northwest with a female amateur sleuth and a grumpy cat.”
If your author site doesn’t make it clear that’s exactly what you write, well, the AI can’t help them find you.
5. Make Your Stuff AI-Friendly
You don’t need SEO wizardry. You just need clarity. Make sure your website, your book blurbs, your metadata, and your About page:
- Use plain, specific language
- Mention key themes, genres, tropes, and locations
- Include series names and reading orders
- Say exactly what kind of stories you tell and who they’re for
Basically: Write like you’re explaining your books to a friendly robot who wants to help people find the perfect read.
Because that’s now a real thing.
Final Thought: Don’t Panic, Don’t Wait
You don’t need to be an early adopter anymore. That ship has sailed. You just need to be an early adapter. Pay attention. Make small, smart changes. Don’t fall for the hype.
And above all, don’t leave your discoverability up to chance.
AI is here. Let’s make sure it can find your books.
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