Shimmer, don't Shake: How Publishing Can Embrace AI

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By Morgan Smith

At a time when the publishing industry is undergoing significant transformation, this book presents a compelling case for why artificial intelligence should be welcomed rather than feared. The long-standing reliance of publishing on obsolete strategies of advertising, distribution, and discovery has resulted in many brilliant works being lost in the shuffle. The book argues that artificial intelligence can change that as well. Instead of replacing human creativity, technology can enhance it, therefore publication becomes more efficient, fair, and easily available. What especially caught my eye in the book's treatment of artificial intelligence's role in pairing the proper books with the proper readers is AI-driven technologies can help uncover hidden treasures instead of depending just on conventional marketing and word-of-mouth, therefore enabling more different voices to be heard.

The book's balance is one of the things that makes it so new. It doesn't engage in scary ideas about AI taking over, and it also doesn't paint an overly optimistic picture of instant change. Instead, it gives a good reason for using AI in a responsible way that is based on study. The examples come from real life and show how AI can improve metadata, make tips more relevant to each person, and make marketing campaigns more effective. This means better advertising for publishers, a better chance for authors to reach their fans, and an easier way for readers to find books they'll love. The book also discusses how AI may reduce waste and enhance editing procedures without sacrificing the human element that gives stories their potency.

Another aspect I really appreciated is its discussion of ethical concerns. AI is only as good as the data it learns from, and biases in AI systems are a real issue. The book doesn’t shy away from these challenges. Instead, it offers thoughtful solutions, advocating for transparency and responsible AI implementation. Rather than positioning AI as a magic fix, it acknowledges the need for oversight and thoughtful development, ensuring that technology enhances creativity rather than undermining it.

Everyone who works in publishing should have to read this book. In addition to challenging old ideas, it gives a clear, doable picture of the future. When I was done, I not only knew more about AI, but I was also excited about what it could mean for the business. Publishing has always been about getting books to people who want to read them. This book makes a strong case for how AI can help us do that even better than before.

About the Author

Nadim Sadek

Nadim is the Founder & CEO of Shimmr AI, producing and deploying advertising for long-tail (back-list) assets. An AI-native business, it focuses on publishing, making under-monetised titles more productive, improving publishers’ profitability, giving authors greater reach, and bringing fulfilling books to psychologically-matched readers.

Previously, Nadim was Founder & CEO of ProQuo AI, an AI-driven brand management platform, which proved product market fit and created a new sector in marketing technology. Nadim was also Founder and CEO of Inish Turk Beg, a whiskey, food, and music business he built on an island he acquired off the West coast of Ireland. He won a global Mobius award for creating ‘the best new brand’. Earlier, he used his degree in Psychology to found and lead what became the world’s largest qualitative market research company, Sadek Wynberg Research. This was sold to WPP, and he led two of their global networks, Millward Brown Qualitative Network and Research International. He studied Pure Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin (and a year of Mental & Moral Science).

Nadim manages an artist, Shaefri, signed by Warner, and presents Boss Bikes Club, a YouTube motorcycle review channel. He is half-Irish, half-Egyptian, raised in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. He lives in London.