The text says Sai Baba wrote his own story, but it's credited to Hemadpant. Isn't that a contradiction?

This apparent contradiction is directly addressed and resolved within the text itself. In Chapter 2, when the author was granted permission to begin writing, Sai Baba clarified the nature of the authorship. He explained, "He is merely a pretext; I myself shall write my own story! I should tell my own story and fulfill the devotee's wish." The condition for this divine act was the complete dissolution of the author's ego. Sai promised, "When the ego is dissolved, no trace of it remains. Then I myself shall enter with 'I-ness' and write with my own hand." Thus, Hemadpant is viewed as the instrument or vessel, while the ultimate author is considered to be Sai Baba.