When I first heard about Publishing AI, I thought, There’s no way this is real. An AI that can research, outline, write, and even publish a book? What’s next, robots signing book deals? I already have reservations about AI-written books, but could this change my mind?
Naturally, curiosity got the best of me. I mean, could I become an author without pulling all-nighters or drowning in caffeine? I had to find out. So, I started with its book topic generator, just to dip my toes in. But once I saw how quickly it churned out niche ideas, I knew I had to go all in.
So, I did. I tested everything—research, writing, formatting, the whole package. And let’s just say… I have thoughts. Stick around, because I’m spilling all the details. This one may shock you yet…
Key takeaways
- Publishing AI is part of a larger self-publishing program, combining AI-powered writing assistance with structured training and community support.
- The AI offers tools for outlining, formatting, and content generation, which can help streamline the book creation process for self-publishers.
- The program includes coaching calls and a private community, providing guidance and networking opportunities for those following the AIA model.
- Access to the AI requires completing the AIA course, which is designed to teach self-publishing strategies before unlocking the tool.
- Publishing AI may be best suited for those looking for an all-in-one course and toolset rather than those seeking a standalone AI writing assistant.
What is Publishing AI?
Publishing AI is a self-publishing tool developed by Publishing.com, a company owned by the Michaelson brothers. Unlike standalone AI writing assistants, Publishing AI is part of a larger program called AIA (The Publishing Academy), which teaches users how to create and sell books on Amazon.
Publishing AI uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to generate content. It is designed to assist the self-publishing process. It analyzes market trends, identifies potential book topics, and then writes an outline based on that research. From there, it can generate full-length manuscripts, format them for publishing, and even provide cover design suggestions.
Who Is It For?
- Aspiring authors who want to publish but don’t know where to start.
- Self-publishers looking to scale their book production.
- Content creators exploring passive income through books.
- Busy professionals who want to share their knowledge without spending months writing.
Publishing AI works best for non-fiction books, how-to guides, and business-related content, essentially, anything that follows a structured format. While it can generate fiction, AI storytelling still has a long way to go.
In theory, this tool could make publishing more accessible than ever. But does it actually deliver? Let’s find out.
Key features of Publishing AI
Publishing AI comes with a suite of tools designed to make book creation fast, structured, and surprisingly hands-off. Here’s a look at its key features and listed on the site:
- Book Topic Ideas Generator
Before you start writing, this feature promises to help you find a profitable book idea. It scans market trends and reader interests to suggest topics that could sell well.
- Customer Research Insights
One of the hardest parts of self-publishing is figuring out who your readers are and what they want. Apparently, once you settle on a topic, Publishing AI does market research and builds a detailed outline, breaking the book into structured chapters.
- AI-Generated Book Outline
So, Publishing AI says it wouldn’t just throw ideas at you; it can help you with a structured outline, breaking your book into logical chapters. This means no more staring at a blank page wondering, “Where do I even start?”
- Manuscript Writer
Publishing AI can generate a 30,000-word manuscript in hours. No, that’s not a typo. Hours. As a starting point? That’s something you don’t see every day. Instead of struggling to write from scratch, you may have your draft written in no time.
5. Personalization & Editing Tools
Because AI writing can sometimes feel robotic, Publishing AI lets you adjust the tone, personalize content, and polish the manuscript before publishing. Maybe not as advanced as Grammarly or ProWritingAid, but being able to preview and tweak sections before the full manuscript is generated helps.
Getting started with Publishing AI
When I first clicked “Get Started” on the Publishing AI website, I expected a straightforward sign-up process. You know, the usual email, password, and boom, you’re in. But that’s not what happened.
The confusing sign-up process
Instead of creating an account right away, I was redirected to a page asking for my name and email. No big deal, right? But when I hit the action button, instead of registering me, it prompted me to watch a training video.
At first, I thought, Okay, maybe it’s a quick tutorial on how to use the tool. But no, the training had nothing to do with Publishing AI’s writing features. Instead, it was all about using the Amazon app to start a book-selling hustle. Huh? That’s not what I came for.
So, I figured I must have clicked the wrong thing. I tried another route which is the pricing page. Maybe if I selected a plan, it would let me sign up. But nope, I hit the same roadblock. No direct access, just another push to watch the training.
The real catch: Publishing AI is locked behind a $2,000 paywall
After some digging, I realized Publishing AI isn’t just a standalone tool. It’s part of a course called AIA (The Publishing Academy), created by the Michaelson brothers. And to access the tool, I’d have to enroll in their program, for a hefty $2,000.
At this point, my mind was racing:
- Wait, what if I don’t like it?
- How do I get a refund?
- Why do I need to pay for a full course just to try this AI?
Naturally, I started looking up reviews. And what I found on Reddit, YouTube, and review sites wasn’t exactly reassuring. Tons of people were questioning the value of the course, some even calling it a scam or overpriced.
The dealbreaker
In the end, I couldn’t justify dropping $2,000 just to test an AI writing tool. There are so many other AI writing platforms out there that let you try them for free or at least for a reasonable price.
So, I bounced.
But it got me thinking, was I being too skeptical? Maybe the tool really is revolutionary. Maybe those negative reviews were just from people who didn’t use it properly.
Well, let’s take a look at what others have to say about Publishing AI.
Publishing AI reviews – Trustpilot
After running into a $2,000 paywall just to access Publishing AI, I knew I had to check out reviews before even considering it. So, I headed to Trustpilot to see what real users were saying.
And what did I find? A 3.1-star rating which, let’s be honest, isn’t exactly reassuring for something that costs thousands of dollars.
Mixed reviews: some love It, others call it a waste
Some users praised the training and support that comes with Publishing AI, like this one:
“The course provided excellent guidance on self-publishing. I learned things I never would have figured out on my own.”
But then, there were the other reviews. The ones that made me pause.
One user called it “a total waste of money,” claiming the AI tool itself wasn’t as revolutionary as advertised:
“The AI writing tool is not nearly as good as they make it sound. You still have to do a lot of work yourself.”
Another reviewer raised concerns about transparency:
“I left a negative review, and it magically disappeared. That’s suspicious.”
That one hit hard. If negative feedback is being removed, how much of the praise is genuine?
So, is it worth it?
From what I saw on Trustpilot, Publishing AI has its fans, but it’s far from universally loved. The AI itself doesn’t seem groundbreaking, and the hefty price tag has a lot of users questioning if it’s even worth it.
But Trustpilot is just one piece of the puzzle. I wanted to dig deeper, so I took my search to Reddit. And let me tell you, things got even more interesting.
Publishing AI review – Reddit
After seeing the mixed reviews on Trustpilot, I decided to check out Reddit, where people don’t hold back. And wow… things were not looking great for Publishing AI.
The S word: is it a scam?
The first thread I found was titled “Publishing.com aka AIA Publishing Academy scam?” and that alone set the tone. The comments were filled with frustrated users who felt they’d been misled.
One Redditor said:
“They make it sound like you’ll have a done-for-you AI system that handles publishing, but in reality, it’s just an expensive course with an AI tool that barely helps.”
Another person shared their experience trying to get a refund:
“They promise a money-back guarantee, but good luck actually getting it. I had to fight for weeks and was only refunded after threatening legal action.”
Yikes.
The Refund Struggle Is Real
The second thread I found was all about refunds, or, more accurately, the struggle to get one. Multiple people claimed they were denied refunds despite being within the guarantee period. Some even accused the company of stalling until the refund window closed.
One user wrote:
“They kept delaying my refund request, asking for more and more ‘proof’ that I hadn’t used the course. By the time they finally responded, the refund period was over.”
That’s a huge red flag.
Unlike Trustpilot, where there were at least a few positive reviews, Reddit was overwhelmingly negative. Most people felt that Publishing AI was overhyped and overpriced, with a refund policy that wasn’t as risk-free as advertised.
At this point, I had my answer. But just to be thorough, I wanted to check one last place, YouTube reviews. Let’s see what video reviewers had to say.
Publishing AI review – YouTube
After going through Trustpilot and Reddit, I turned to YouTube to see if video reviewers had a different perspective. Maybe seeing the tool in action would change my mind. But after watching multiple reviews, it was the same mixed reactions, high costs, and skepticism.
Hype vs. Reality
One of the videos I watched, “Is AI Publishing.com a Scam?”, didn’t hold back. The reviewer broke down how the tool was locked behind the $2,000 AIA Publishing Academy, just like I had discovered earlier.
“They market it as if the AI does all the work, but once you get inside, you realize it’s just another self-publishing course with some AI features tacked on.”
So, it’s not a standalone tool. You have to pay for the course to even get access, and that’s a big deal.
Refund Complaints Again
Another YouTuber went deep into the refund policy, echoing what I had already seen on Reddit.
“They say you can get your money back if you’re not happy, but when you actually try, it’s a nightmare.”
Apparently, users had to prove they had applied the course’s teachings correctly before qualifying for a refund. And if the company decided you hadn’t? No refund for you.
Does the AI Actually Work?
One of the more technical reviews attempted to test Publishing AI by feeding it prompts. The result?
“The AI-generated content was… okay, but not better than what I could get from ChatGPT or Claude for free.”
So, if the AI isn’t groundbreaking and you’re mainly paying for the course, it begs the question, is it worth the price?
The YouTube reviews confirmed what I’d already suspected: Publishing AI isn’t really about AI, it’s about selling a high-ticket course with AI as an added feature.
At this point, I had gathered enough information to form a solid opinion. But before wrapping up, let’s do a final breakdown of the pros and cons of Publishing AI.
Pros and cons of Publishing AI
After digging through Trustpilot, Reddit, and YouTube, I’ve formed a well-rounded perspective on Publishing AI. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons based on everything I’ve learned.
Pros
- AI-Assisted Writing Tools
Some users mentioned that the AI can help streamline the writing process for self-publishers. It can generate book outlines, assist with formatting, and suggest content ideas.
“The AI was decent at generating outlines and summaries, but nothing groundbreaking.”
This means that while it’s not necessarily better than other tools out there, it is still helpful.
- Access to a Self-Publishing Course
If you’re completely new to self-publishing, the AIA Publishing Academy provides structured lessons on how to make money selling books on Amazon.
“The course itself does have some value for beginners, but it’s locked behind a high price.”
This might be a plus for someone willing to invest heavily, but it’s not ideal for those looking for an affordable AI tool.
- Community and Coaching Calls
The program includes coaching calls and access to a private community, where members can discuss self-publishing strategies. Some users found this helpful for networking and learning from others.
“I liked the weekly coaching calls, but they felt more like motivation sessions than actual technical help.”
Cons
- $2,000 Paywall – No Free Trial
The biggest downside is that Publishing AI isn’t available unless you pay for the AIA course, which costs $2,000. There’s no way to test the tool before buying.
“If the tool is so great, why not let us try it first?”
This is a major red flag, especially when other AI writing tools offer free trials or affordable monthly plans.
- Questionable Refund Policy
Many users reported having trouble getting refunds. You have to prove you’ve applied the course correctly, and even then, refunds aren’t guaranteed.
“I requested a refund and got ignored for weeks. Then they told me I didn’t follow the process properly.”
If you’re hesitant about spending $2,000, the lack of an easy refund process is a serious concern.
- AI Quality Isn’t Special
The AI itself doesn’t seem significantly better than free options like ChatGPT or Claude. Some users even said it felt basic compared to other AI writing tools.
“The AI-generated content was okay but not worth thousands of dollars.”
If you’re looking for high-end AI writing assistance, you might get better results using cheaper or free alternatives.
- Marketing Feels Misleading
Many users felt that the marketing for Publishing AI makes it seem like a tool that does everything for you. But in reality, it’s just part of a larger self-publishing course.
“I thought I was paying for an advanced AI tool, but it turned out to be just another online course.”
Comparison with competitors
Publishing AI isn’t the only AI-powered tool available for self-publishers. Let’s compare it with other well-known AI self-publishing platforms like Blurb, Sudowrite and Writesonic:
| Feature | Publishing AI (via AIA) | Sudowrite | Writesonic | Blurb |
| AI Writing Assistance | Yes, integrated with AIA course | Yes, tailored for fiction writers | Yes, versatile content generation | No |
| Book Formatting | Limited information | No | No | Yes, professional publishing layout tools |
| Editing & Proofreading | Basic AI suggestions | Offers rewriting and polishing drafts | Yes, advanced grammar and style suggestions | No |
| Ease of Use | Requires course enrollment, not user-friendly | User-friendly interface | User-friendly interface | User-friendly interface |
| Publishing Support | Focuses on self-publishing on Amazon | No publishing tools | No publishing tools | Yes, offers distribution services |
| Trial / Refund Policy | No trial, strict refund policy | Free trial available | Free trial available | Varies by service |
| Who It’s Best For | New self-publishers willing to invest in a course | Fiction writers seeking AI assistance | Writers needing versatile content generation | Authors seeking comprehensive self-publishing services |
| Pricing | $2,000 for AIA course (required to access AI), then Free, $1,450/month, or custom pricing for higher tiers | Starts at $10/month | Custom pricing | Varies based on services |
For authors seeking affordable and flexible AI-driven self-publishing tools, platforms like Sudowrite and Writesonic offer more accessible options without the need for substantial upfront investment. If comprehensive publishing services are desired, Blurb provides a range of options tailored to various author needs.
Pricing and value for money
Publishing AI’s pricing model is one of its biggest hurdles. To even access the AI tool, you have to buy the AIA Publishing Academy course, which costs a steep $2,000. There’s no free trial, no way to test the tool beforehand, and once you’re in, you’ll find that the AI itself comes with its own pricing structure.
After purchasing the course, you get access to a free version of the AI, but it’s limited. If you want full functionality, you’ll have to pay for one of the two paid tiers:
- $1,450 per month for the standard paid version
- Custom pricing for the highest-tier plan
This is where I have a major issue. Paying $2,000 just to access an AI tool that then charges you an additional monthly fee? That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when other AI writing tools, like ChatGPT Plus or Jasper, offer competitive features for a fraction of the price.
So, is it worth it? In my opinion, no. The AI itself doesn’t seem revolutionary enough to justify the cost, and there are too many financial barriers in place. If Publishing AI ever introduces a free trial or a more transparent pricing structure, I might reconsider. But for now, I’d rather stick with AI tools that don’t require thousands of dollars upfront just to get started.
Final thoughts – is Publishing AI worth it?
After looking at everything—pricing, features, and user feedback, I think Publishing AI has its place, but it won’t be for everyone. And I can see why Publishing AI has sparked mixed reactions.
If you’re brand new to self-publishing and want step-by-step guidance, the course might offer some value. But based on what users have said, much of the information is already available elsewhere for little to no cost. That makes the $2,000 paywall hard to justify, especially when the AI itself doesn’t seem to outperform more accessible alternatives.
That said, I’ll keep an eye on future updates. If the company improves transparency, enhances the AI’s capabilities, and offers a more flexible pricing structure, I’d be open to reviewing it again. Until then, I’ll be sticking with more established AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Sudowrite.
Have you tried Publishing AI? I’d love to hear your thoughts; drop a comment below! And if you want more AI publishing tool reviews, subscribe to stay updated.
