Write a non-fiction book with sources
Plan a non-fiction book around its reader, choose a structure and chapter template, add reference files, and write chapters that cite them inline.
In this guide
Non-fiction books are planned around a reader and a promise, and they can be written from your own reference material with inline citations. This guide follows a practical guide from idea to cited chapters. Non-fiction works on every plan; having the AI write past the first chapter needs Plus.
Step 1: Create a non-fiction book
In My books, choose Create new book, then Non-Fiction / Educational. On the Start step, choose Start from scratch — or Import a Word manuscript if you already have notes or a draft.
Step 2: Describe the promise in Concept
The Concept step asks “What is your book about?” Answer three questions in a few sentences: who the reader is, what problem the book solves for them, and what makes your approach different. For example: “A practical guide for first-time managers in tech: how to run one-on-ones, give feedback and support a struggling team member, drawn from ten years of managing engineers.” Press Next.
Step 3: Check the Basics
Confirm the title, author name, language and genres. Use the Subtitle to name the reader and the promise — “A field guide for new engineering managers” says more than a clever phrase. Set the number of chapters and the target words per chapter, then press Next step.
Step 4: Define the reader in Reader & approach
- Target audience and Reader level — Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Professional.
- Tone and Writing style.
- Techniques to use — step-by-step instructions, case studies, personal anecdotes, exercises and worksheets, checklists, comparisons, data and research, interviews and quotes, frameworks and models, or key takeaways.
- Cite my sources — leave it on so chapters cite your reference files.
Paste a few paragraphs of your own writing into Your writing sample so the book sounds like you. Press Next step.
Step 5: Choose a structure and add sources
In Structure & sources, pick one of the three whole-book structures and one of the three chapter templates. The template sets the sections every chapter follows, in order.
Then add your reference files: notes, interview transcripts, reports or articles you have the right to use. Each file costs 10 credits to add. Link a file to the chapters it should inform, or leave it open to the whole book.
Step 6: Build the outline
In Outline, set the number of chapters and press Generate outline — your first outline is free — or Write outline manually. Non-fiction cards ask for:
- What the reader learns
- Sections / key points, one per line
- Leads into — how the chapter hands over to the next
- Target words
Give each chapter one clear outcome for the reader. Then press Start writing.
Step 7: Write cited chapters
In Write chapters, choose a model tier and press Generate chapter. For each chapter, the most relevant passages from its linked files go to the AI, and facts, figures and quotations are cited inline as [S1], [S2] and so on, each tag pointing to one of your files. Sources are never invented: where your files don’t support a claim, it’s written as your view instead.
Step 8: Verify before you publish
- Check every citation against its file, especially quotes and numbers.
- Read uncited claims closely. They come from your plan or the model’s general knowledge, and the AI doesn’t search the web.
- Fix passages with AI edits on Plus and above, and run the whole-book review in Review for clarity and continuity.
- For medical, legal or financial advice, have a qualified expert read the book.
Step 9: Finish the book
Add the blurb and cover in Metadata & cover, then set the layout and export in Format & export — white paper and a 6 × 9 or 7 × 10 inch trim suit many practical books. When you’re ready to launch, Distribution turns the book into social posts, email sequences and a press kit.