Don't wait to write your book
Plus: Top news of the week — Immigrations agents heading to Charlotte; I-77 expansion draws opposition; UNC Chapel Hill approves tuition hike; Scout Motors HQ headed to Plaza Midwood
Good morning! Today is Saturday, November 15, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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A Charlotte lawyer finally finished his novel by trading screen time for writing time — and learned that ‘someday’ isn’t a strategy
By Mathew Flatow
Most professionals I know have at least three books in their heads: a memoir, a how-to and a novel. We tell ourselves we’ll write them after retirement — then retirement arrives, and the books never get written.
After a decade of journaling and outlining novels, I decided not to wait. Despite running a busy boutique law firm and raising three kids, I committed to finishing one.
My first step: checking the Screen Time app on my phone. I discovered I was losing hours a week to Twitter — now “X.” Cutting that one distraction freed up enough time to turn years of false starts into a full manuscript in 60 days. A year later, I had a 100,000-word novel ready for publication.
Here’s what I learned along the way.
Use AI as an assistant, not a co-author
Artificial intelligence can be a great helper, but it shouldn’t write your book. Large language models are built to produce the most statistically average words possible — the opposite of original writing.
Skip Grammarly and other AI tools while drafting; they flatten your voice. Instead, use AI at the editing stage: to spot typos, grammar issues or point-of-view errors. I used a prompt based on the “Chicago Manual of Style” and “Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary” after each chapter. It wasn’t a substitute for a professional editor, but it helped polish the draft and build confidence.
AI also helps summarize chapters, track character details and flag anachronisms. If your story’s set in 1980, it can tell you whether your characters are using technology that didn’t exist yet. Just don’t let AI do the writing — soulless prose is worse than no prose at all.
Know when (and who) to ask for help
The publishing world is full of people eager to sell services. Editing alone includes developmental, line, copy and proofreading — plus cover design. Hiring them all can easily top $10,000.
If you’re on a budget, here’s what matters most:
Hire a copy editor and a cover designer.
Get big-picture feedback from a trusted friend or writing partner.
Do your own line editing.
Use AI for proofreading.
And always invest in a professional cover — it’s what gets readers to pick up your book. For nonfiction, a simple online design may work; for fiction, hire an artist with vision.
Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
Traditional publishing is a long shot. Fewer than 2% of authors land an agent, and only a third of those get a publishing deal. Even then, you’ll likely revise your book and earn an advance of $5,000 to $10,000.
Self-publishing through Amazon or IngramSpark offers more control and quicker turnaround. With a solid edit and strong cover, your book can be in readers’ hands within a year—and on the shelves of local bookstores that support local authors.
The takeaway
Writing and publishing a book doesn’t require quitting your job or waiting for retirement. With focus, smart use of technology and a modest investment in editing and design, you can bring that long-imagined memoir, how-to or novel to life — now.
Stop waiting for “someday.” Start writing today.
Mathew Flatow is managing partner of SeiferFlatow, PLLC Law Firm and the author of “Ocean Child.” He can be found at meflatow.com.
Listen to a recent conversation with Flatow, who talked about how he wrote his novel, on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other pod platforms.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Carnegie Private Wealth. At Carnegie Private Wealth, we bring clarity to complexity. Through thoughtful planning and personal attention, we transform your financial aspirations into actionable strategies. Providing you with less stress and greater confidence in your future.
This week in Charlotte: SNAP pause leaves families struggling; CMS homelessness rising; River District gets new giant art; Duke Energy pulls back on diversity, climate pledges
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
UNC approves first in-state tuition hike since 2017: (WRAL) The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to raise in-state undergraduate tuition by 3% after a committee rejected the idea the day before.
CMS student homelessness rising: (Observer, subscriber-only) According to district data, nearly 6,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were identified as homeless last school year, up from about 3,000 in 2020.
Politics
N.C. elections board adds GOP-linked staff: (WFAE) The N.C. State Board of Elections has hired several new leaders with Republican ties after a recent overhaul gave the board a GOP majority. New general counsel Tim Hoegemeyer and legislative liaison Leah Byers both previously worked for Republican officials.
Councilman Mitchell discloses cancer battle: (WSOC) Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell revealed that he quietly battled recurring bladder cancer while running for re-election, undergoing two surgeries this spring. Now cancer-free, he says he kept the diagnosis private to avoid a “pity vote” and is urging others not to delay routine checkups.
Local news
Immigration agents are coming to Charlotte: (WFAE) Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said Thursday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are expected in Charlotte for an immigration operation soon.
Westside neighbors push back on I-77 expansion: (Ledger🔒) Residents and community groups are organizing against NCDOT’s early design for new express lanes on I-77 South, saying the project would again cut into historically Black neighborhoods and community spaces.
SNAP pause leaves families struggling despite shutdown’s end: (Ledger🔒) Mecklenburg County households are still reeling from November’s two-week SNAP suspension, with local pantries reporting surging demand even as benefits resume. Food pantry NourishUp says the shutdown created a “tsunami of food insecurity” and warns that rising costs and upcoming federal cuts mean the crisis isn’t over.
River District gets a giant new resident: (Ledger) “Big Pete,” a 65-foot wooden troll by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, has been installed at The River District’s main trailhead and is free for visitors to see.
Business
Scout Motors HQ headed to Plaza Midwood: (Ledger) EV maker Scout Motors will open its headquarters at the Commonwealth development, bringing 1,200 jobs and a $207M investment.
Truist ends hybrid work: (Business North Carolina) Charlotte-based Truist will require all employees to return to the office five days a week, starting Jan. 5, 2026, ending its hybrid work policy.
Duke Energy pulls back on diversity, climate pledges: (The Assembly) The utility has scaled down public references to its diversity and environmental goals, dropping mentions of DEI councils, HBCU partnerships and clean energy targets from recent reports.
Sports
PGA Tour returns to Asheville: (PGA TOUR) The Biltmore Championship will debut Sept. 17–20, 2026, at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, marking Asheville’s first PGA Tour event in more than 80 years.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
How a newcomer helped Charlotte learn and connect. Plus: County has ‘no concerns’ over Atrium housing; Flight cancellations mount; Remembering Charlotte magazine; Auditor vs. mayor; Get to know our managing editor; 65-foot wooden ‘Big Pete’ troll
Wednesday (🔒)
A new approach to supporting refugees in Charlotte. Plus: New Charlotte HQ be announced today?; Backlash against I-77 South project intensifies; Toppman reviews ‘Eureka Day’; Harris Teeter, Whole Foods map out new local stores
Friday (🔒)
SNAP is back, but the crisis isn’t over. Plus: Scout Motors HQ move is latest change for Plaza Midwood; Why isn’t new Costco selling liquor?; Shutdown’s end shuts down hemp; Border Patrol is coming to Charlotte
Ways of Life (🔒)
In memoriam: Thomas ‘Pop’ Sadler, husband, father, grandfather and community leader. Also remembered: A well-known portrait painter; real estate agent and founder of several landmark restaurants in Charlotte; longtime studio arts teacher at CPCC
Toppman on the Arts
Battle lines are drawn in ‘Eureka Day’: The play runs through Nov. 23 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.
Real Estate Whispers
New Scout HQ to add more office space in Plaza Midwood. Plus: Checking out The River District; Prolific Charlotte investor picks up more real estate in hot neighborhoods; Tower coming soon across from The Pearl?
Fútbol Friday
5 things we learned from Charlotte FC’s season: Charlotte FC posted its strongest season yet, but an early playoff exit exposed lingering gaps — from a shaky second DP and thin depth to defensive vulnerabilities — even as stars like Zaha and Biel signal the club is poised to keep progressing in 2026.
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