3 Ways I'm Using AI Ethically as a Novelist | The First Draft Club Podcast

Let's settle this once and for all: Can novelists use AI ethically? In this episode, 3x HarperCollins novelist Mary Adkins shares exactly how she's integrating AI into her writing process WITHOUT letting it do the actual writing. Mary breaks down three specific applications that genuinely enhance her productivity while maintaining complete creative control. From multi-dimensional research queries to cleaning up dictated manuscripts, she shows how AI can handle the tedious tasks so writers can focus on what they do best: the creative work. If you've been wondering how to navigate AI as a professional writer—or whether it's even worth using—this episode gives you a practical roadmap for ethical AI integration. 🎧 What you’ll learn: • Why Mary chooses NOT to use AI for actual writing • How to use AI for complex research queries • The exact prompts Mary uses to clean up dictated scenes without changing her words • How AI can synthesize key takeaways from messy brainstorming sessions • Which AI platform Mary uses and why • How to maintain creative control while still benefiting from AI efficiency Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Ethical AI in Novel Writing 00:31 Why I Don't Use AI for Writing 02:03 Using AI for Novel Research 05:57 AI-Assisted Dictation for Writing 09:25 AI for Brainstorming and Summarizing 14:01 How to Use AI for Novel Writing Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/nove... Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!). When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: Instagram:   / book.incubator   ======================== #writingtips #bookwriting #writer #authortube