Throughout my time in IT — whether it was for retail organizations, financial institutions, or tactical operations — the underlying desire was always the same: automation.
Automation wasn’t always the buzzword it is today, but it meant the same thing: making processes more efficient, more reliable, and more repeatable. Back then, it often meant writing a program to reduce friction or simplify a routine. That drive never went away.
Now, the landscape has shifted. With AI truly taking off (assuming we can keep the power on for it), automation isn’t just about efficiency anymore. It’s about intelligence. Tools can now make smarter choices, adapt to data, and handle complexity in ways that were previously unthinkable. More people than ever are leaning into automation — not just IT teams, but creators, small businesses, and individuals.
For me, this ties directly into publishing. As I continue on this path of releasing digital and paperback books, I realize it doesn’t sound glamorous. It’s like selling T-shirts or even those little plastic clips that hold bread bags together — ordinary work, not headline-worthy. But there are lessons in everything.
Every project teaches me something new: a better way to structure a workflow, a faster way to clean up a process, or even a spark of a completely new idea. Automation plays a huge role in that. Sometimes it’s as simple as breaking down a process into steps, adding a bit of VBScript, and layering in old-fashioned common sense. Suddenly, tedious work becomes a reliable routine — and those routines free me up to chase new ideas.
That’s the role of automation. Not to strip away the human element, but to create space. Space for creativity. Space for strategy. Space to grow.
🛠️ Tools I Use
The truth is, I don’t do this alone. I lean on automation tools that make publishing smoother and advertising smarter:
- Publisher Champ — my go-to for organizing books, campaigns, and the messy details that would otherwise slow me down.
- Advigator — an ad automation tool that takes the guesswork out of Amazon Ads, helping me focus more on strategy and less on constant babysitting.
- Gemsy — a review exchange platform that helps me line up verified reviews faster. It saves time and gives me a steady way to build credibility for my books.
- GetBooksReviewed — connects me directly with readers looking to review new titles. It keeps the feedback loop active and helps improve visibility across Amazon.
These tools aren’t magic wands, but they make the grind more manageable — and they keep me from drowning in repetitive tasks.
📚 Featured This Week
- Tome of Tables, Volume One (Kindle) — the start of a system-driven RPG resource series, where structured creativity meets play.
- Chemistry & Elements Word Search — 55 puzzles designed to test memory and science knowledge while keeping your brain active.
- The Ultimate 90s Trivia Quiz (Kindle) — an interactive trivia challenge that brings the decade to life, now available for Kindle.
All three are great examples of how structured processes — and yes, automation — can create fun, interactive, and lasting experiences.
Thanks for reading! – John