Problem statement

Many individuals possess valuable knowledge and stories but are deterred by the time, effort, and perceived complexity of writing an eBook. Inky AI addresses this by automating the content creation process, making authorship accessible to a wider audience.

Key decisions for Inky AI:

Simplified Questionnaire: Focused on essential input (topic, theme, audience, title) to minimize user effort and maximize AI effectiveness.

AI-Generated Title Options: Providing multiple title suggestions eliminated a common roadblock, allowing users to quickly select a compelling title.

Cover Preview Focus: Prioritized a high-quality cover preview, as it's the first impression and a key motivator for users.

eBook Editor interface

The Inky AI editor interface is designed to provide users with granular control over their eBook creation process. The left sidebar functions as a "References" hub, allowing users to upload diverse source materials like documents, web pages, or notes. A slider for each uploaded source adjusts its "referencing strength," dictating how heavily the AI draws from that specific material during content generation. This ensures the eBook aligns with the user's research and preferred sources.

The central editing interface is a dynamic workspace where users can directly modify the generated content. Each section and paragraph is individually editable, allowing for manual refinement. Contextual AI tools are integrated, enabling users to regenerate specific sections or paragraphs based on their original parameters or new prompts. This fosters a collaborative writing experience, where users can seamlessly switch between manual editing and AI-assisted content generation.

The right sidebar, dubbed "Inky Studio," expands the AI's creative capabilities. Users can generate additional content within this panel, customizing each piece with specific preferences. These preferences include tone of voice (formal, informal, persuasive), theme refinements, target audience adjustments, and free-form custom prompts. This allows for focused content creation, enabling users to fill gaps or explore specific angles within their eBook.

The Inky Studio acts as a creative playground, allowing for rapid iteration and experimentation, while the central editor ensures the final product remains cohesive and polished. This tripartite layout provides a comprehensive editing environment, balancing AI assistance with user control, leading to a truly personalized eBook.

In the Weeds

At the end, Inky AI has the potential to "democratize" the writing process, making eBook creation accessible to a broader audience. While further refinements and explorations are always possible, I believe that the core experience delivered on its promise: a fun and illuminating journey into many possibilities.