Author First: AI Assisted | Steve Castledine | Working v5, 8 October 2026 | Review date: 9 October 2026
This brief records supplied instructions and clearly labelled manuscript-derived information. It does not import earlier reviews.
Manuscript-derived: a practical method for fiction and non-fiction authors to choose appropriate AI assistance, explain tasks, judge answers, plan and develop a book, check evidence, prepare publication files and help relevant readers find it. The author retains decisions and responsibility. Eleven chapters are supported by six appendices containing frameworks, eighteen templates, nine checklist/style sections, ethics guidance, resources and three longer briefs.
Manuscript-derived: adult authors, particularly beginners or cautious AI users, including writers with an existing draft. No coding or technical expertise assumed. Both fiction and non-fiction routes are explicitly taught.
Manuscript-derived: practical non-fiction, writing and responsible AI use. Provisional secondary subject: self-publishing practice. No separate author category instruction supplied.
Steve supplied: establish publication readiness and identify minimum justified corrections before publication. Do not recommend extensive rewriting without specific supporting evidence. This commission does not approve release or produce final publication files.
Current source: Author First revised v5 WORKING - 8 October 2026(1).docx. Calculated body count: 49,147 whitespace-separated words including headings and reference material. Steve confirms substantial prior review and revision. Earlier reviews were not designated for this commission and were not used. The manuscript states an earlier January 2026 edition under Write Your Book With AI; that history remains self-reported, not independently verified.
Steve supplied: independent assessment, publication-blocking defects distinguished from optional improvements, British English and no em dashes. Manuscript-derived choices: plain conversational voice, eleven-stage sequence, reusable reference appendices, no compulsory generated drafting, labelled constructed examples, qualified claims and proportionate revision.
Not applicable to this practical guide. Fictional examples and named publishing participants are not a developed narrative cast.
Steve supplied: what genuinely needs correcting before publication, and is further extensive rewriting justified? Assess the current version independently, preserve its purpose and scale and provide a manageable next step.