AI Can Kickstart Creativity-Bloomsbury's Chief Says It Won't Replace Great Writers
Blank page. Blinking cursor. We've all been there. Nigel Newton, chief executive of Bloomsbury-the publisher behind the Harry Potter series-says AI can get writers moving again, without replacing the voices readers love.
"AI will probably help creativity, because it will enable the 8 billion people on the planet to get started on some creative area where they might have hesitated to take the first step," Newton said. He adds that AI can jumpstart first paragraphs and chapters, helping writers get back into the zone.
He's clear on one thing: readers will keep gravitating to trusted names. "There will be some shoddy content out there so people will turn increasingly to sources of authority for reassurance." Bloomsbury, founded in 1986, has built that trust over decades, including its role in publishing J.K. Rowling's series.
How working writers can use AI without losing their voice
- Kickstart openings: Ask for 5-10 first paragraphs based on your premise, POV, and tone. Then rewrite the best one in your own words.
- Beat-by-beat outlines: Feed a one-sentence idea and request scene beats, conflicts, and questions to answer next.
- Chapter restarts: Prompt: "Give me three alternative first sentences for this chapter with higher tension and clearer stakes."
- Style calibration: Paste a short sample of your writing and ask for a critique on rhythm, sentence variety, and clichés. Apply, don't copy.
- Specific language passes: "Suggest fresher verbs, cut filler, and tighten this 200-word paragraph to 140 words."
- Idea expansion: Turn bullet notes into a rough scene, then revise it line by line to restore your voice.
- Worldbuilding and character Q&A: Have the model interview you about backstory, rules, and motives to expose gaps.
- Accountability: "Summarize yesterday's work and propose a 30-minute plan for the next 500 words."
Guardrails that keep your work original
- Never publish raw AI text. Treat outputs as clay. Your rewrite is the point.
- Impose constraints. Specify POV, tense, mood, length, vocabulary, and theme before every prompt.
- Protect your voice. Keep your signature tells-cadence, humor, subject matter-front and center in revision.
- Verify facts. Use AI to draft research questions, then cross-check with trusted sources before anything goes to print.
- Build authority. Consistency beats volume. Readers remember the name that gives them quality every time.
What this means for your writing career
AI is a useful assistant for drafts, ideas, and momentum. The advantage still belongs to distinctive voices who show up with clarity and craft. Use the tool to start faster and think wider-then do the work only you can do.
Want structured practice and vetted tools? Explore our curated list of AI tools for copywriting or browse AI courses by job to build a focused workflow that fits your process.
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