The Future of Authorship: Expanding What’s Possible
Last week, I attended Author Nation 2025, a conference packed with writers, dreamers, and innovators who are shaping the future of publishing. It wasn’t just about books—it was about creativity, courage, and the ways we can use new tools to tell stories in a changing world.
One quote stuck with me the entire weekend:
“It’s not about replacing artists—it’s about expanding what’s possible.”
That simple idea flipped the fear-based narrative I’d quietly been holding onto. I’ve seen plenty of debates about AI and creativity, but what I heard at Author Nation was less about robots taking over and more about possibility—how we can use these tools to reach readers, write more freely, and run our businesses smarter.
AI Isn’t the Enemy — It’s the Assistant
“You will be behind.”
It wasn’t meant to scare us—it was meant to wake us up. AI isn’t going away, and pretending it is means we’ll miss out on the chance to build stronger connections with readers and make more time for what truly matters: storytelling.
I’ve started using tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming, Canva for design, and other creative AI systems that enhance (not replace) my work. I’m learning how to make technology work for me—so I can focus on writing stories that are human, raw, and real.
Another reminder came from my absolute favorite, JF Penn:
“Readers don’t need to know everything about how you run your business—just be honest about your writing, your images, your covers.”
I would take that one step further to say that readers don’t want to know everything. Reading is a form of escape and, for me at least, I don’t need to know every detail about how a story came to be. If I love the story, I love the story.
That’s freedom, isn’t it? We don’t have to explain every decision. We just need to show up honestly in our art.
The right readers will feel that honesty—and they’ll stay.
Building a Discoverable Author Brand
Another key takeaway came from Stuart Grant at Reedsy, who talked about SEO and “GEO”—Generative Engine Optimization. He explained how AI and search engines find content online, and how authors can structure their websites so readers (and even AI tools) can discover their books.
Here’s the truth: it’s not enough to have a beautiful website anymore. We need one that talks—to search engines, to algorithms, to readers looking for stories like ours.
That means:
Writing blogs that answer real questions
Using headings and alt text correctly
Including your name and genre everywhere you can
Our words can only change lives if people can find them.
Marketing With Meaning
One of my favorite quotes from the weekend came from Johnny Truant, and it hit the heart of everything I believe about building an authentic author brand:
“Marketing is just as much about repelling those who are the wrong fit as it is about finding the ones who are the right fit.”
That’s what this career is really about—connection.
As I grow my writing business and experiment with new tools, I’m keeping that in mind. I don’t want to reach everyone. I want to reach the ones who need my stories—the wounded, the wild, and the ones who stay.
As authors, we often get caught in the trap of wanting to appeal to everyone. We soften our language, hesitate to niche down, or second-guess our covers, afraid someone might not “get” us. But trying to please everyone is the fastest way to water down your message—and your magic.
My books are not for everyone.
They’re for the ones who’ve been through hell and believe in love anyway.
They’re for the ones who crave redemption stories, slow healing, and second chances.
And that’s okay. That’s my lane.
Your readers should feel seen when they find your work—not confused about whether it’s meant for them. Marketing, when done authentically, becomes less about selling and more about inviting.
Why Repelling the Wrong Readers Matters
It’s hard to watch someone walk away from your work. But sometimes, the wrong reader walking away is what makes space for the right one to arrive.
Repelling the wrong readers doesn’t mean being rude or unkind—it means being authentic enough that your audience self-selects. You write what you love, and the right people recognize themselves in your words.
That’s not just marketing. That’s connection.
JF Penn was asked how she handled readers who criticized her use of AI. Her response?
“I did lose readers. I made a choice.”
I don’t think this will even be a conversation in a few years. The tool isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s already in more things we use daily than most people realize.
It’s a hot topic right now, but the more interesting conversation is about what AI is capable of—how learning these tools can better our businesses. The human piece that makes a book great can’t ever be replaced.
JF Penn often says, “Double down on being human.” That doesn’t mean get left behind when it comes to technology—it means learn what’s out there. You don’t have to use every tool or even like every tool. But if there are ways to improve your productivity and your sales, why wouldn’t you?
No one’s encouraging authors to have AI spit out books. What those using it are really saying is this: have an open mind. Embrace the possibilities. Do what makes sense for you.
What Can I Kill
Another big takeaway—and maybe the hardest one for all of us to accept—is that we can’t do everything. Becca Syme’s session really hit home for me. She talked about identifying what works for you realistically, using a spreadsheet rating system to measure what’s actually worth your time and energy.
Several other authors echoed that message with a simple but powerful rule: every time you take on one new thing, kill two old ones.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Think about the things you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get to “someday” but never actually do. Letting one of those go frees up mental space—and honestly, that clarity can feel like a small miracle.
For me, one thing I’ve wanted for a while is to open an online store. But that goal made me think about what I could kill to make it possible. The truth? I want to keep doing YouTube, but I haven’t posted in months. Admitting that letting it go (at least for now) might be the healthier choice is hard—but maybe that’s the point. Sometimes killing an idea, even a good one, is an act of growth.
Be Delusional (and Make It Beautiful)
If “What Can I Kill” is about letting go of what no longer serves you, this next lesson is about what to chase once your hands are finally free.
If there was one theme I kept hearing from Ines Johnson, Andrew Davis, and Willow Winters, it was this: stop playing small.
Ines reminded us that readers want to feel something tangible and personal from the authors they love—which is why special edition books are more than just pretty collector’s items. They’re emotional experiences. Sprayed edges, custom covers, exclusive art, even signed bookplates—all of it builds connection. It’s not about vanity; it’s about giving readers something that feels worth keeping.
Willow took that idea and ran with it, encouraging us to be delusional. She said it like a dare: dream so big it sounds unreasonable. Believe your books deserve that level of care and that kind of presentation. If you can picture readers displaying your stories proudly on their shelves, then make decisions that bring that vision closer.
And then there was Andrew Davis, who grounded that passion in strategy:
“Constraints breed creativity—embrace the constraints.”
You don’t need a massive team or endless resources to make something special. You just need focus and the courage to go all in on one idea—like creating that special edition instead of launching three smaller side projects that drain your energy.
Together, their message felt like permission: to dream, to design boldly, and to treat your art like it matters.
Because it does.
Looking Ahead
Author Nation reminded me that being an author today means being a creative, a business owner, and a lifelong learner. The tools will change, but the heart of storytelling never will.
So here’s my takeaway: embrace what’s possible.
Don’t fear the future of authorship—shape it.
Marketing isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about whispering to the right hearts.
And if a few people turn away? That just means you’re finally speaking in your true voice.
💌 If you’ve ever felt torn between being “marketable” and being yourself, you’re not alone.
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