Author‑entrepreneur Joanna Penn suggests we “double down on being human.” Here are strategies from NINC members and other experts that showcase humanity as a competitive advantage.
Show your creative process
“Show how you create. Share your thinking, tools, and behind‑the‑scenes experiments. Invite your audience to follow along as you build.” — Joe Pulizzi
“I run a regular weekly LIVE called Writer Unedited on my Facebook page. It’s very casual: I sit at my writing desk and chat about whatever is going on in my book biz and sometimes my personal life that week. I also record it to post on YouTube.” — Nancy Herkness
“IMHO, TikTok has become the place to build a community around authors and readers. It has totally replaced the ‘book signing’ method of connecting with readers.” — Theresa A. Markham
Be obviously human
“I got the Human Authored stamp from the Authors Guild for my newest release.” — Nancy J. Cohen
“Your most marketable trait is authenticity.” — Jonathan Schuerger (Novel Marketing Podcast)
“I’ve discovered that readers need to see my less‑than‑stellar moments. Once, I wore a gauzy blouse inside out all day. Another time I crocheted a cardigan with sleeves that reached past my knees. As authors, we occupy an exalted position in their minds; it’s good to remind them we are people, too.” — Joanna Campbell Slan
“In‑person interaction is so important. Even a simple Zoom call helps differentiate you from bots.” — Thomas Umstattd, Jr.
Meet readers in real life
“I’ve been selling my books at craft markets and Pride festivals for two years. It’s one of the most satisfying decisions I’ve ever made in my career.” — Meredith Efken
“I try to meet readers, and one of the joys of having a small readership is that I know many by name.” — Grace MacPherson
Additional strategies
Here are some of my own ideas.
I have a photograph on my Gmail account that shows up in a little circle at the top of emails instead of just the first letter of my name. It’s one small way of reminding readers I’m a real person.
I review other books in my genre on Amazon and Goodreads under my name, as well as on my blog. Not only does this reinforce that I’m a human being who shares tastes in books with my readers, it can encourage Amazon to include my books in the “Customers also bought or read” strip below my book.
Consider hiring a human narrator for your audiobooks. It’s expensive, but guess what—bots don’t have money! A bot or an individual who puts out multiple AI-generated books isn’t going to spend money to create audio.
Sell direct on Kickstarter and Patreon. Again, bots and serial uploaders won’t put in the time or money to set these up.
Create video content with your face. Many of us aren’t comfortable on camera, but there are ways around this. For example, focus your camera on the book itself, with a relevant background and a photo of yourself, and add a voice-over.
Use personal photos in email profiles and online accounts—visual reminders that you’re a real person.
Attend local readings by other authors in your genre. It’s a good way to meet readers in person without the pressure of selling books. Be sure to have business cards or other handouts with you. “If you like our speaker, you might like my books too.”
The takeaway
Readers don’t simply choose a book. They choose a relationship with the person behind it. What human‑forward action will you take this month?
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Neil Plakcy is a multi-genre author best known for his dog-centered mysteries, gay fiction, and character-driven romance. A retired college professor, he speaks with libraries and book clubs and offers Zoom classes for writers on craft, publishing, and the ethical use of AI.