Writing a book is no cakewalk. I ought to know—I’ve done it nearly 200 times.
But plenty of quality tools help make this challenge easier.
The right book writing software can help you:
- Organize your writing
- Gain self-confidence
- Write more crisply
Software writing programs you may want to check out:
(Full disclosure: If you buy any of theseI get a small commission at no cost to you. But these tools have helped enough writers to where I would recommend them even if I didn’t get a dime!)
**Editor’s Note: Since the initial publishing of this postChatGPT has emerged and changed the way people researchwrite draftsand create content. Howeverthis post stands as one that help you accomplish the three goals listed above. For more on ChatGPT and its effect on the publishing industrystay tuned!**
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15 Book Writing Software Programs That Can Make Your Life Easier
1. Scrivener
Scrivener is the ultimate book-organization tool.
It allows you to view your notesresearchoutlineand writing all in one placeand you can print your whole manuscript with the click of your mouse.
There’s a bit of a learning curvebut Scrivener comes with tutorialsand many other such aids are easily found online.
It may look overwhelming at first (I’m still learning it myself)but it’s worth the time and effort.
Just give yourself time to get familiar with the basics.
Pros:
- Virtual corkboard feature for note cards organization
- Drag & drop outliner
- Works with WindowsMaciPadand iPhone
- Easily applicable within Microsoft Word and many other programs
Cons:
- Steep learning curve*
*I benefited from great teaching programs like Learn Scrivener Fastplus Scrivener itself comes with a built-in tutorial.
Price: $60 for Mac and Windows
Click here to buy Scrivener.
2. Google Docs
Google Docs is a great collaborative tool. My team and I are literally a thousand miles from each otherand we use this program virtually every day.
It’s a freestandard word processor that allows multiple people to work on the same document simultaneously. I’m working on this document in Google Docs right now.
Just as with Track Changes in Wordan agent or editor or accountability partner can help fine-tune your work-in-progress in Suggestion Mode. You accept or reject the suggestionsand you can both comment in the margin.
Other advantages:
- Easily share your work-in-progress via email or a link
- Access from any device
- Free
Cons:
- Performance slows when tracking changes on documents of 80 or more pages
- Unable to toggle between Tracked Changes and Final Version without accepting all the changes
Price: Free
Click here to start using Google Docs.
3. Freedom
Freedom allows you to temporarily block appswebsitesand social media across all your devices so you can focus on writing (don’t worrypeople can still reach you in an emergency).
You can even schedule the app to work automatically when you need it most — when you’re writing.
If you’re like meyou’ll be glad for the freedom from online distractions where “just a few seconds” turns into hours of unproductive net surfing. Freedom can help you focus and increase your productivity.
And it works on all devices.
Cost: $8.99 per month$39 per yearor a $199 lifetime fee.
Want to block distractions while you write?
Click here to get Freedom.
4. ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid offers grammarand writing suggestions as you write—for you to accept — or reject — at the click of a button.
It integrates with the apps and programs you use mostlike:
- Google Docs
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Word
- Scrivener
Other pros:
- Detailed explanations
- Built-in Thesaurus
- Context-focused grammar checker
- Free version
Con:
- You need a premium account to access its best features
Price: $30 per month$120 for 1 yearor $399 for life
I recommend trying the free version first.
Click here to get more info on ProWritingAid.
5. Grammarly
Similar to ProWritingAidGrammarly can help fine-tune your writing.
It automatically checks spelling and grammarwhether you’re writing a book or an email.
The premium version also:
- Checks sentence structure
- Monitors word choice
- Guards against plagiarism
- Examines
- And much more
Other pros:
- Free version
- Google Chrome plugin for easy use on the web
Cons:
- No Scrivener integration
- Doesn’t work on mobile devices
- You need a premium account to access its best features
Cost: $30 per month$60 per quarteror $144 per year.
Try the free version first.
Click here to get Grammarly.
6. Novel Factory
A creative writing software that guides you through the novel writing process.
Novel Factory prompts you to:
- Write your story’s premise
- Develop characters
- Make notes
- Follow the Hero’s Journey outline
It offers:
- A built-in word processor
- A split screen view
The Novel Factory is a progressive web appwhich means it works in a browserbut you can also download it to your local machine – both Windows and Mac.
Cost: Starts at $7.50 per monthwith discounts for annual memberships.
Click here to start using Novel Factory.
7. Hemingway Editor
Focuses less on grammar and spelling and more on writing .
It highlights:
- Sentences to be editedwhether lengthy and complexpassiveor unnecessary
- Overused words
Pros:
- Easy to understand and use
- Suggests alternatives to overused words
- Allows text formatting
- Teaches much more concisestraightforward writing
- Suggests edits and offers tips to improve overall writing
- Ranks your writing by grade level
Cons:
- Eliminates most adverbs
- Doesn’t take voice or into account
Cost: Free if used on the Hemingway Editor website (you can then copy/paste into your document)$19.99 to purchase your own version.
Click here to start using Hemingway Editor.
8. Evernote
A note taking app that allows you to:
- Sync with other devices
- Share notes with anyone who has access to your account
- Save screenshotsweb articlesand PDFs in one place
- Search easily within the program
- Customize templates
- Scan and save documents
- Integrate with other programs (like Google Docs)
Cost: Basic Evernote freePremium $14.99/monthBusiness $17.99/month
Click here to start using Evernote.
9. yWriter
Designed by a writer for writersyWriter is a word processor that helps organize your novel into scenes and chapters.
The program:
- Tracks words per chapter and total word count
- Allows for the breakdown of scenesnote-takingcharacter descriptionand scene details and goals under separate tabs within each chapter
YWriter currently runs only within Windows.
Cost: Free
Click here to start using yWriter.
10. Ulysses
A simple word-processing software for Mac users.
Pros:
- A distraction-free interface
- Saves all your writing in one spot
- Easily sync documents with other devices
- Split-screen view
- Auto-save and backup
- Allows you to set and track writing goals
- Allows you to publish directly to WordPress and Medium
Con: does not assist in developing characters or plot.
Cost: App download freesubscription $5.99/month or $39.99/year
Click here to start using Ulysses.
11. Vellum
Allows your to professionally format books for publication.
Available for Mac users onlythe software is freebut you must purchase a package before exporting a file for publication.
Pros:
- Allows you to design and format a book
- A variety of s
- Easy import capabilities
- Editing within the app
- Allows preview of print or e-books
- Easy export
- Allows unlimited exportsdepending on program purchased
Cons:
- Not word processor
- More expensive than similar tools
- Available only for Mac
Cost: $199.99 for publishing unlimited e-books$249.99 for publishing unlimited e-books and paperbacks
Click here to start using Vellum.
12. Focus Writer
A bare-bones word processor.
In full-screen modetoolbars disappear until you scroll over them.
Pros:
- Simplecustomizable design
- Autosave
- Allows you to track writing goals (by time or word count)
Cons:
- Available for text only
- No spell check
Cost: Free
Click here to start using FocusWriter.
13. Milanote
Hailed as “Evernote for creatives,” a visual story-telling tool for Mac users.
It enables you to:
- Organize notes all in one place
- Use as a whiteboard or storyboard
- Upload images
- Save imagestextand weblinks
- Upload images and text from your phone
Other Pros:
- Flexible drag and drop
- Allows team collaboration
Cons:
- Limited export options: PDFPNG imageWord fileor plain text
- Available only on Mac and the web
Cost: Basic version freepremium version $9.99/month
Click here to start using Milanote.
14. FastPencil
Offers tools for self-publishing.
Pros:
- Write within the platform or upload a manuscript
- Format your book
- Publish in e-book and print (ISBN and retail barcode included)
- Distribute and sell your book worldwide
- Manage sales and royalties
Cons:
- Cannot use offline
- Expensive beyond writingdesigningand formatting
Cost: Freewith additional paid publishing packages
Click here to start using FastPencil.
15. bibisco
…an all in one project management tool for your novel.
It acts as a word processororganizerand a creativity guide all at the same time.
For Outlinersbibisco allows creativity in your organization. You can interview your characterscreate a timeline of eventsand track your chapters in one place.
It works for MacWindowsand Linux.
Pros:
- Creative tools to flesh out charactersplacesitemsand events in your story world
- Free version without many restrictions
- Easy to usealmost no learning curve
- Simple design
- Great organizational tool for Outliners
- 30-day money-back return policy
Cons:
- Paid version says “pay what you want,” but the minimum is 15 eurowhich will be a little more in US dollars
- Open-source software still receiving updates (be sure to save ofteneven with the autosave feature)
- No mobile app
bibisco has a free version and a premium version that starts at $47 for a one-time purchase.
Click here to start using bibisco.
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