Humanizing your manuscript is the process of editing your AI-generated content to make it feel like it was written by a human. While AI can help speed up the writing process, it’s crucial to add a personal touch to ensure your book resonates with readers. This article will explain what it means to humanize your manuscript, why it’s important, and how you can do it step-by-step.
What Does "Humanizing" Your Manuscript Mean?
Humanizing your manuscript means transforming AI-generated text into content that feels personal and authentic. Without this step, readers might sense that the book was written by AI, which could lead to doubt and possibly negative reviews. Humanized manuscripts better connect with readers by addressing their needs with your own unique perspective and voice.
Why Is It Important?
Humanizing your book is crucial for a number of reasons:
Reader Trust: Readers expect authentic guidance and personal insight. AI-written content can sometimes lack the depth needed to fully address a reader’s concerns or interests.
Market Perception: Books that feel "AI-generated" may be seen as lower quality. This could result in reduced sales or negative reviews.
Long-Term Success: Investing time in editing and adding your own touch will increase the likelihood of positive reviews and higher sales.
Steps to Humanize Your Manuscript
The key to humanizing your manuscript is ensuring that when a reader picks up your book, they feel they're engaging with high-quality content written with their needs and interests at heart.
Here are some steps to help you do that:
1. Edit for Readability
Smooth out sentence flow: Look for odd sentence breaks that disrupt the flow for the reader
Choose better words: Opt for more natural word choices (ie: substituting “girl” where it says “female”).
Avoid repetition: Eliminate repetitive words or phrases that don’t add value.
Simplify overly complex language: If any part of the manuscript feels too "flowery" or excessive, simplify it. (you will know if something feels a bit too much)
Re-organize chapters or sections:Editing the structure of the chapters and subchapters if needed. Do they make sense in the order they are in or would changing them help improve the flow of the book? Pro tip: you can re-organize this in the Outline phase!
2. Infuse Your Own Voice
Personalize the content: Add in your own voice, ideas, personal stories, knowledge and experience throughout the book. This is probably the most important part!
Ask yourself key questions:
Does this manuscript align with my vision for the book?
How can I expand on the vision I have for the book?
How do I want to connect with my readers?
What insights from my customer research report can I use to make the content more relatable to my audience (ie: incorporating more slang)
Is the writing engaging and authentic?Will my readers connect with it?If there are parts that you think no, consider the questions above and rewrite those sections.
If I’m connected to my topic personally, what can I add to this book that is authentically from me?
3. Make it Unique to You
Remember that no two people will approach a topic in the same way. Think about how you can add your unique perspective to help make your book sound as though it was written by you.
Key Things to Know About AI-Assisted Content
Amazon’s AI Policy: You can mark your manuscript as AI-assisted on Amazon, and they have no issue with AI-generated content.
Copyright Eligibility:You want it to have enough edits that you can apply for copyright. The US Copyright office requires "sufficient human authorship" to be eligible for copyright. Check out the lesson titled “Copyrighting Your Book” in your AIA modules. At about the 3:15 mark we discuss how to achieve "sufficient human authorship".
AI Checkers: Don’t worry about AI Checkers! They are notoriously unreliable, and not necessary given that Amazon is fine with AI-assisted content. As long as you feel confident that you’ve thoroughly edited and humanized your book, you are good to go!
Positive Impact: When done correctly, humanizing your manuscript can boost sales and improve your reviews.
Key Takeaways
Humanizing your AI-generated manuscript is just as important as the writing process itself. While AI can get you most of the way there, the final 10% of your personal touch makes all the difference. With careful editing and thoughtful personalization, you’ll create a book that not only satisfies your readers but also showcases your authentic voice.