How to Use AI to Make Money Online by Writing and Publishing Books

Imagine making thousands of dollars in passive income each month—even if you’re not a writer. Thanks to artificial intelligence, that dream is becoming a reality for many. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use AI to write and publish books online, including creating content, generating artwork, assembling your book, marketing it, and even building an email list to attract future publishers and boost sales—all with minimal investment.

Whether you’re a total beginner or someone looking to build a sustainable income stream online, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to make money using AI as an author, even if you’ve never written a book before.

Why AI Book Publishing is a Profitable Opportunity

AI has revolutionized the publishing industry. Tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and GravityWrite can handle everything from storytelling to illustration—making book publishing more accessible than ever.

People are already earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per year publishing AI-assisted books on platforms like Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). The best part? You don’t need to pay for ads to get started.

Step 1: Write a Children’s Book Using AI (With GravityWrite)

To start, you need a compelling story. You don’t need to write it yourself—AI can do it for you.

Tool: GravityWrite.com (Free to Use)

How to Use GravityWrite:

  1. Go to gravitywrite.com and sign up with your email.

  2. On the dashboard, select “Book Writing” > “Kids Story Book”.

  3. Fill in the form:

    • Title or Summary: For example, “Eli and the Giant Fry”

    • Genre: Fiction

    • Age Range: 0-5 years

    • Main Character: Add a name like “Eli”

    • Number of Pages: Input “32” (standard for kids’ books)

Click “Create Content” and the AI will instantly generate a full story, along with text and illustration prompts for each page.

Step 2: Generate Book Illustrations Using AI Art Tools

Your story now needs engaging visuals. Although GravityWrite includes basic image generation, we recommend using MidJourney for professional-quality illustrations.

Tool: MidJourney (Starts at $10/month)

How to Use MidJourney:

  1. Create an account and join their Discord server.

  2. In the search bar, type “children’s book illustration” to browse styles.

  3. Find a style you like and click “Use Image” to ensure consistency.

  4. Paste the illustration prompt from GravityWrite and customize it as needed (e.g., change eye color or background).

  5. Hit enter and let MidJourney create 4 stunning options.

  6. Download the best image for each page.

Repeat this process for all illustrations in your story.

Step 3: Upscale Your Images for Print Quality

Amazon KDP requires high-resolution images to ensure sharp print quality.

Tool: ILoveIMG (Free)

How to Upscale:

  1. Go to iloveimg.com and select “Upscale Image.”

  2. Upload all your illustrations.

  3. Set multiplier to 4X to boost image quality to 4000×4000 pixels.

  4. Click “Upscale” and download your enhanced images.

This step ensures your book looks professional when printed.

Step 4: Assemble Your Book for Amazon KDP

Now that you have your story and illustrations, it’s time to put everything together.

Recommended Tools:

  • Canva (for designing layouts)

  • Microsoft Word or Google Docs (for formatting text and pages)

  • KDP Previewer (Amazon’s tool to test your book layout)

Ensure your:

  • Page count matches your GravityWrite draft

  • Images and text are properly aligned

  • Pages are exported in PDF format for upload

For full details on book dimensions and bleed settings, check Amazon KDP guidelines.

Step 5: Set Up a Free Email List to Boost Sales and Land a Publisher

Building an audience is crucial for long-term success. With an email list, you can:

  • Notify readers about new books

  • Promote offers and free downloads

  • Prove your value to potential publishers

Tool: Omnisend (Free Plan Available)

How to Use Omnisend:

  1. Go to omnisend.com and sign up.

  2. Choose the Non-Ecommerce option.

  3. Go to Forms > Create Signup Form.

  4. Customize:

    • Title: “Sign up for Book Releases & Updates”

    • Button Text: “Join Now”

    • Success Message: “Thanks for signing up! Stay tuned for our next adventure.”

You can embed this form in your blog, social media bio, or use it in your Amazon author profile.

Step 6: Publish Your Book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

Once your book is assembled, you’re ready to go live.

Steps:

  1. Visit kdp.amazon.com.

  2. Sign in or create an account.

  3. Click “Create” > “Paperback” or “eBook.”

  4. Fill in your book details (title, description, author name, keywords, etc.)

  5. Upload your manuscript (PDF format) and cover file.

  6. Choose your pricing and territories.

  7. Hit Publish!

Your book will be reviewed and go live within 72 hours.

Optional: Ways to Promote Your AI-Generated Book (Free)

While ads are optional, here are free ways to boost sales:

  • YouTube Shorts & TikTok: Share your creation journey.

  • Facebook Groups: Join children’s book communities.

  • Medium.com or LinkedIn: Write about your process and link your book.

  • Pinterest: Post your illustrations with a link to Amazon.

Final Thoughts: Why AI-Powered Book Publishing Is the Future

You don’t need to be a traditional author anymore. With the right AI tools, anyone can write, illustrate, and sell books online without any prior experience.

This side hustle is:

  • Low-cost to start

  • Scalable

  • Creative and fulfilling

  • Potentially life-changing

So whether your goal is to make an extra $1,000/month or land a six-figure book deal—using AI to publish books online is one of the smartest ways to make money in 2024 and beyond.


Bonus Resources

  • GravityWrite – Free AI Story Generator

  • MidJourney – AI Image Generator

  • Omnisend – Email List Builder

  • Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

  • I Love IMG – Free Image Upscaler

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