Can bad AI writing actually make you a better writer?

In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin talks through what he’s working on right now as an author, including the launch of his new Alex Kayne thriller, *Echo*, the messy reality of book promotion, rebuilding his author platform, updating his book links, and experimenting with AI as a writing-adjacent tool.

But the big idea here is this: AI may be useful for writers precisely because it often gets the writing wrong.

Kevin shares how using AI for critique, structural feedback, and scene ideas can sometimes produce weak, soulless results—but those results can challenge a real writer to think harder, write better, and bring more humanity to the page. AI can be training wheels. It can be a sparring partner. It can even be a bad example. But it should not replace the one thing that matters most: the writer doing the writing.

If you’re a novelist, indie author, creative entrepreneur, or creator trying to build a stronger writing life, this episode is about practical book promotion, author platforms, direct sales, AI, and the discipline of protecting your creative work.

Subscribe to the channel for honest, practical guidance on writing, publishing, book marketing, author business, creative discipline, and building a long-term career as a working writer.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 — What I’m working on this week

00:24 — Introducing *Echo*, the new Alex Kayne thriller

01:04 — The challenge of practical book promotion

02:17 — Why your author platform still matters

03:54 — The frustrating reality of print preorders

06:26 — Podcasting, YouTube, and reader interaction

07:23 — Rebuilding my book links and direct sales setup

10:04 — Using BookFunnel universal book links

13:03 — The rule: never let platform work stop the writing

14:31 — Refreshing book covers and promotion graphics

15:49 — When an author should hire a virtual assistant

17:28 — The right time to get help with your author business

19:09 — Returning to unfinished books and old projects

20:47 — Feeding feedback into AI tools

21:37 — Why I don’t use AI to write my books

22:12 — AI as grammar check, critique tool, and developmental editor

23:02 — Why bad AI writing can make you better

24:10 — The caveat: writers still need real skills

25:28 — AI as training wheels for writers

26:28 — Why you can’t outsource the writing and still call it writing

27:47 — AI books, copyright questions, and the future of publishing

29:50 — AI slop vs. human storytelling

30:41 — Making art instead of feeding the machine

31:39 — Final thoughts and invitation to comment

Links mentioned:

Wordslinger Podcast home page:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

AuthorAnchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Find Kevin and his books:

https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack:

https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

Question for you: How are you using AI in your writing life? Is it helping you think more clearly, or are you worried it’s getting in the way of the real work?

Leave a comment and let’s talk about it.

#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #AIWriting #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #AuthorPlatform #WritingTips #WordslingerPodcast #KevinTumlinson

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