Craft Chat Book Writing Software

[Pamela Jo]

Scrivener as never worked properly for me. Though I know it can really be brilliant and I have an old book outlined on it. Google doc breaks down when the file gets to heavy so I have to end it after about 1o k words and there is no brilliant Scrivener button to pull it altogether. Plotter blocked me after I forgot about their free trial. Tried a few others and nothing perfect so far. What's your perfect program look like? Here's a list. Dont agree with most of it but the self publishing things are interesting. I think I will try the Google Sheets.

Anyone try Publisher Rocket?

Publisher Rocket is rated "Excellent" with 4.7 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Publisher Rocket's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 59 customers have already said.

ie.trustpilot.com

Book Writing Software (2026): Top 10 for Writers

There's a wealth of book writing software out there to help you finish your book. These ten programs are the best tools for any writer.

thewritepractice.com

Just tried this. Spreadsheets are not how I write... Story Planner - Outline your novels and screenplays on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

 

[Claire G]

I just use Word to write and Excel to plan/keep track of my chapters. Anything else looks too daunting! I like the familiar and the simple!

 

[Sedayne]

I think I'm a bit basic and old fashioned. Using computer software to write has never occurred to me. Should it have done?

All I need/want is a notebook and pen and basic word processor (currently MS Word with copilot removed). I have a manual typewriter too. It's less distracting but a bit too loud, so I don't use it much.
I use Excel spreadsheets to track Lit Mag submissions (essential for withdrawals when a piece gets accepted elsewhere).

Does writing software actually help, or does it distract from the business of writing? It's very interesting how differently people work.

 

[Aethalope]

I find Scrivener invaluable. It has a toggle-able inspector panel that you can use to add notes, outline, and make snapshots (as in 'this is the version on the date'). Really useful if you realize that you want to add something to a scene but don't have time to write. Like a post-it note.

Another great thing is that you just click between scenes. No scrolling required. Saves a lot of time.

There's tons more stuff I haven't even looked into yet. And it is so famously behind on technology that AI will not be a problem. As a reddit user put it, The Scrivner Team's development pace makes me suspect it's users will be 'protected' from AI integration until well after the singularity.

 

[Aethalope]

Forgot to add that it's great for blog writing. You can set up a binder full of folders on each category, with notes made over days or even months. Eventually, something coalesces into enough for a post and off you go.

 

[Pamela Jo]

I may have to revisit for blogs, Laura. I got into it about 2015 and it never did what it was supposed to do, but then I discover it was because it needed Chrome. Since childhood I have suspected the motives of anyone trying to manuevar me into doing something so I back away.

On the other hand exploring I found a discussion on reddit and this fellow said, well have a look at the app I wrote for myself. It might work. Yes it was for sale on Mac-but his lowkey sales approach made me explore. It is only 15.00 too.

Story Planner - Outline your novels and screenplays on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Outline your stories and get control of your writing process. The best planning app for writers on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

storyplanner.app

 

[JohnBertel]

I use Attilus mainly because it includes a formatting tool, and I find it easier to look at my writing a bit more objectively when I see it as a print book or an ebook.

One warning, that I learned the hard way: unlike, for instance, Google Docs, Atticus does not update the cloud file in real time. It synchronises when you log out. Meaning that if you have an open session on one device and then start to work on another device, you could lose your work. Their support confirmed that this is how Atticus functions.