AI Tools for Authors: A Conversation with Thomas Umstattd Jr.

This post was adapted from Writing Off Social: The Podcast, Episode 73. You can listen in here!

If you’re a writer today, chances are you’ve wrestled with the question: What do I do with AI? Is it here to replace us, or can it help us write and market books more effectively?

In this week’s episode of Writing Off Social, we sat down with Thomas Umstattd Jr. and unpacked this hot-button topic with wisdom, humor, and a deep respect for the calling of Christian writers.

AI: A Powerful Tool, Not a Threat

Thomas reminded us that every new technology—from electricity to word processors—was once met with fear. But, as he put it, “AI is like fire. Dangerous if uncontrolled, but essential when contained.” The key is remembering that technology is morally neutral. What matters is how we use it.

For writers, that means refusing to personify AI or let it take over our creative judgment. Instead, we can treat it as what it is: a tool to serve our work.

Drawing Boundaries with AI

Boundaries are crucial. Thomas shared his own approach: he uses AI transactionally, never relationally. He doesn’t go to it for encouragement or judgment—it can’t provide that. Instead, he uses it for analysis, formatting, and productivity boosts.

As writers, we can do the same by asking: Am I using AI to assist me in my writing process, or am I allowing it to become the writer itself?

Productivity Without the Dread

Most authors dread certain tasks—writing blurbs, creating chapter summaries, analyzing royalty statements. Thomas has developed a suite of AI tools designed to ease these specific pain points.

Imagine uploading your manuscript and instantly getting a clean, compelling book blurb—or a list of every character with voice notes for your audiobook narrator. These tools don’t replace creativity; they remove barriers so you can focus on what you love most: writing.

Social Media: Still Not the Answer

Our podcast community already knows the pitfalls of social media, and Thomas confirmed it again: social media does not sell books. Period. It can serve as a news source or a conversation space, but if you’re banking on Facebook or Instagram to move your book sales, you’re likely wasting precious energy.

Instead, Thomas pointed writers back to what really works—building direct relationships with readers and creating tools, books, or communities that genuinely serve them.

The Future of Nonfiction: Chatbots?

One of the most thought-provoking parts of the conversation came when Thomas predicted a shift in nonfiction. Imagine a chatbot trained on the content of your book, ready to answer reader questions 24/7. For subject-matter experts, this could be the next step in serving readers well.

It’s a reminder that the core of writing hasn’t changed: readers still want trustworthy voices. The format may evolve, but your unique perspective remains irreplaceable.

Final Encouragement

Thomas left listeners with this: AI isn’t something to fear—it’s something to steward. Your voice still matters. Your calling hasn’t changed. And with the right tools, you can write more effectively, market more wisely, and focus on the words only you can bring into the world.

Want to explore Thomas’s AI Toolbox for authors? Visit Author Media and discover tools that can help you work smarter, not harder.

This post was reformatted from our original transcript by ChatGPT and edited for accuracy by Sandy.