For writing. And writing. And writing.

Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Scrivener won’t tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing. When Scrivener launched in 2007, book writing apps were a niche category. Since then, many apps for writers, especially novel writing software, have appeared (and just as many have disappeared again). Scrivener remains one of the most popular and loved, with millions of downloads, hundreds of thousands of users, and numerous best-selling and lauded books written in it. Be sure to check out our testimonials page to hear from some of our users who think that Scrivener is the best software for writing a book, screenplay or other long text.

Grow your manuscript your way

Tailor-made for long writing projects, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don’t know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea.

Image: The ultimate creative writing tool

See the forest or the trees

Whether you plan or plunge, Scrivener works your way: hammer out every last detail before typing a word, or carve out a draft and restructure later. Or mix your methods and do a bit of both. In Scrivener, everything you write is integrated into an easy-to-use project outline. So working with an overview of your manuscript is only ever a click away, and turning Chapter Four into Chapter One is as simple as drag and drop.

Research within reach

Need to refer to research? In Scrivener, your background material is always at hand, and you can open it right next to your work. Write a description based on a photograph. Transcribe an interview. Take notes about a PDF file or web page. Or check for consistency by referencing an earlier chapter alongside the one in progress.

Getting it out there

Once you’re ready to share your work with the world, compile everything into a single document for printing, self-publishing, or exporting to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text. You can even share using different formatting, so that you can write in your favorite font and still satisfy those submission guidelines.

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it.

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it.

Piece it Together

Switch instantly between editing your manuscript one section at a time and together as a whole. Working on a long text is easier when you break it into smaller pieces, and Scrivener gives you complete control over how small (or large) those pieces are. Novelists can write each scene in a separate document, or whole chapters as one; theses can be split into arguments or chapters or paragraphs. However you take it apart, Scrivener’s innovative “Scrivenings” mode lets you put the pieces together and edit them as though they were all part of a single document.

Piece it Together

Switch instantly between editing your manuscript one section at a time and together as a whole. Working on a long text is easier when you break it into smaller pieces, and Scrivener gives you complete control over how small (or large) those pieces are. Novelists can write each scene in a separate document, or whole chapters as one; theses can be split into arguments or chapters or paragraphs. However you take it apart, Scrivener’s innovative “Scrivenings” mode lets you put the pieces together and edit them as though they were all part of a single document.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists, or insert images and tables. And by switching to page view, you can see the pages fill up as you type.

Styles

With Styles, you can indent a block quote and make its text smaller at the same time—or make a heading large and bold with one click. You can even tell Scrivener to format all your block quotes one way when creating an ebook and another way when producing a PDF.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word and OpenOffice documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists, or insert images and tables. And by switching to page view, you can see the pages fill up as you type.

Styles

With Styles, you can indent a block quote and make its text smaller at the same time—or make a heading large and bold with one click. You can even tell Scrivener to format all your block quotes one way when creating an ebook and another way when producing a PDF.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word and OpenOffice documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

Outliner

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outliner. Like the corkboard, the outliner lets you work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript—but puts even more information at your fingertips. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Check word counts. View meta-data. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Outliner

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outliner. Like the corkboard, the outliner lets you work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript—but puts even more information at your fingertips. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Check word counts. View meta-data. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Screenwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too. Templates for writing papers in MLA, APA and other common formats are available right out of the box.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Screenwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too. Templates for writing papers in MLA, APA and other common formats are available right out of the box.

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. You can split Scrivener’s editor and have up to four different documents open in the same project window at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach.

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. You can split Scrivener’s editor and have up to four different documents open in the same project window at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach.

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

Full-Screen Writing

Blank out the rest of the world while you write—or at least the rest of the screen. One click and everything else fades away, leaving just you and your words. Prefer an old-school green-text-on-black theme while you write? Or perhaps a countryside scene backdrop to serve as inspiration? Scrivener’s full-screen composition mode is fully customisable; how it looks is up to you. This is your writing space, so get comfortable and get typing.

Full-Screen Writing

Blank out the rest of the world while you write—or at least the rest of the screen. One click and everything else fades away, leaving just you and your words. Prefer an old-school green-text-on-black theme while you write? Or perhaps a countryside scene backdrop to serve as inspiration? Scrivener’s full-screen composition mode is fully customisable; how it looks is up to you. This is your writing space, so get comfortable and get typing.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your entire manuscript or for sections within it—or set a target for the current writing session. Keep track of word and character counts as you write, and then check the Writing History to see how much you have written each day.

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. Colour-code sections using labels, track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status”, and assign keywords for anything you want. You can even create your own meta-data fields to suit the demands of your project.

Collections

Collections let you create lists of related documents from anywhere in your project. Build smart lists that automatically show you documents that need more work, or scenes written from a particular point of view. Want to track which chapters are flashbacks? Just throw them in a “Flashbacks” collection.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your entire manuscript or for sections within it—or set a target for the current writing session. Keep track of word and character counts as you write, and then check the Writing History to see how much you have written each day.

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. Colour-code sections using labels, track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status”, and assign keywords for anything you want. You can even create your own meta-data fields to suit the demands of your project.

Collections

Collections let you create lists of related documents from anywhere in your project. Build smart lists that automatically show you documents that need more work, or scenes written from a particular point of view. Want to track which chapters are flashbacks? Just throw them in a “Flashbacks” collection.

You Choose the Tools

Different writing projects demand different thought processes, and Scrivener’s flexible interface adapts to the work at hand. Arrange index cards along coloured lines on the corkboard—perfect for tracking different storylines or thematic developments. Experiment and place cards anywhere in freeform mode. Choose which columns are shown in the outliner—or create your own. Use the corkboard or outliner to browse through research while you write. Make a mess or keep it simple. Whatever you’re writing, you get to choose the tools that work for you, and everything else stays out of your way.

You Choose the Tools

Different writing projects demand different thought processes, and Scrivener’s flexible interface adapts to the work at hand. Arrange index cards along coloured lines on the corkboard—perfect for tracking different storylines or thematic developments. Experiment and place cards anywhere in freeform mode. Choose which columns are shown in the outliner—or create your own. Use the corkboard or outliner to browse through research while you write. Make a mess or keep it simple. Whatever you’re writing, you get to choose the tools that work for you, and everything else stays out of your way.

Print, Export, Publish

Scrivener has everything you need to prepare your manuscript for sharing with the world. Write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines. Export to a wide variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word, RTF and OpenOffice. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Generate PDF files ready for self-publishing. Create Epub and Kindle ebooks to sell on iBooks or Amazon, or for proof-reading on an e-reader. You can even use MultiMarkdown for LaTeX support and more.

Print, Export, Publish

Scrivener has everything you need to prepare your manuscript for sharing with the world. Write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines. Export to a wide variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word, RTF and OpenOffice. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Generate PDF files ready for self-publishing. Create Epub and Kindle ebooks to sell on iBooks or Amazon, or for proof-reading on an e-reader. You can even use MultiMarkdown for LaTeX support and more.

Snapshots

Never be afraid of rewrites. Before embarking on a major revision, take a “Snapshot” of a section and you’ll be able to return to the earlier version whenever you want. Can’t remember what you changed? The “Compare” feature will show you.

Auto-Save and Backups

Scrivener automatically saves while you work, meaning you never have to worry about when you last hit “Save”. And for extra peace of mind, Scrivener can automatically back up your projects whenever they are opened or closed—perfect for ensuring there’s always a recent backup stashed safely away.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

Snapshots

Never be afraid of rewrites. Before embarking on a major revision, take a “Snapshot” of a section and you’ll be able to return to the earlier version whenever you want. Can’t remember what you changed? The “Compare” feature will show you.

Auto-Save and Backups

Scrivener automatically saves while you work, meaning you never have to worry about when you last hit “Save”. And for extra peace of mind, Scrivener can automatically back up your projects whenever they are opened or closed—perfect for ensuring there’s always a recent backup stashed safely away.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it.

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it.

Piece it Together

Switch instantly between editing your manuscript one section at a time and together as a whole. Working on a long text is easier when you break it into smaller pieces, and Scrivener gives you complete control over how small (or large) those pieces are. Novelists can write each scene in a separate document, or whole chapters as one; theses can be split into arguments or chapters or paragraphs. However you take it apart, Scrivener’s innovative “Scrivenings” mode lets you put the pieces together and edit them as though they were all part of a single document.

Piece it Together

Switch instantly between editing your manuscript one section at a time and together as a whole. Working on a long text is easier when you break it into smaller pieces, and Scrivener gives you complete control over how small (or large) those pieces are. Novelists can write each scene in a separate document, or whole chapters as one; theses can be split into arguments or chapters or paragraphs. However you take it apart, Scrivener’s innovative “Scrivenings” mode lets you put the pieces together and edit them as though they were all part of a single document.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists, or insert images and tables. And by switching to page view, you can see the pages fill up as you type.

Styles

With Styles, you can indent a block quote and make its text smaller at the same time—or make a heading large and bold with one click. You can even tell Scrivener to format all your block quotes one way when creating an ebook and another way when producing a PDF.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word and OpenOffice documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists, or insert images and tables. And by switching to page view, you can see the pages fill up as you type.

Formatting Presets

With Styles, you can indent a block quote and make its text smaller at the same time—or make a heading large and bold with one click. You can even tell Scrivener to format all your block quotes one way when creating an ebook and another way when producing a PDF.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time.

Outliner

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outliner. Like the corkboard, the outliner lets you work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript—but puts even more information at your fingertips. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Check word counts. View meta-data. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Outliner

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outliner. Like the corkboard, the outliner lets you work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript—but puts even more information at your fingertips. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Check word counts. View meta-data. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Screenwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too. Templates for writing papers in MLA, APA and other common formats are available right out of the box.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Screenwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too. Templates for writing papers in MLA, APA and other common formats are available right out of the box.

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. You can split Scrivener’s editor and have up to four different documents open in the same project window at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach.

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. You can split Scrivener’s editor and have up to four different documents open in the same project window at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach.

Full-Screen Writing

Blank out the rest of the world while you write—or at least the rest of the screen. One click and everything else fades away, leaving just you and your words. Prefer an old-school green-text-on-black theme while you write? Or perhaps a countryside scene backdrop to serve as inspiration? Scrivener’s full-screen composition mode is fully customisable; how it looks is up to you. This is your writing space, so get comfortable and get typing.

Full-Screen Writing

Blank out the rest of the world while you write—or at least the rest of the screen. One click and everything else fades away, leaving just you and your words. Prefer an old-school green-text-on-black theme while you write? Or perhaps a countryside scene backdrop to serve as inspiration? Scrivener’s full-screen composition mode is fully customisable; how it looks is up to you. This is your writing space, so get comfortable and get typing.

Novel Writing Software: A Book Writing App For Writers

In the digital age, writers have an array of tools at their disposal to enhance their writing process. Novel writing software and book writing apps provide essential features that help streamline the writing journey from the initial concept to final piece. Whether you’re drafting your first novel or working on your tenth book, the right software for writing a book can make a significant difference.

Why Use Our Novel Writing Software?

Our novel writing software is designed to help writers organise their thoughts, structure their narratives, and keep track of character and plot development. It simplifies the writing process, allowing writers to focus on their creativity without getting bogged down by technical details. Here’s why you should consider using our book writing software:

Organisation: Keep all your notes, research, and chapters in one place.
Productivity: Use tools that help you stay on track with word counts and deadlines.
Editing: Access built-in tools for grammar checking and style suggestions.
Formatting: Easily format your manuscript for different publishing platforms.

Top Novel Writing Software and Book Writing Apps

There are numerous writing softwares available, each offering unique features tailored to different writing needs. Here are some of the top book writing apps:

Scrivener: Scrivener is widely regarded as one of the best software for book writing. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for outlining, writing, and editing your manuscript. Its corkboard and binder features allow you to organise scenes and chapters effortlessly, making it a versatile app for writers.

Grammarly: While not a traditional novel writing software, Grammarly is an essential app for writers. It provides real-time grammar and style suggestions, helping you polish your manuscript.

Features to Look for in Book Writing Software

When choosing an app for book writing, consider the features that will best support your writing process. Here are some key features to look for:

Outlining Tools: Helps you map out your story structure and plot points.
Character Development: Tools for creating and managing character profiles.
Export Options: Easy exports to various formats, including ePub, PDF, and Word.
Research Integration: Ability to store and organise research materials within the app.
Distraction-Free Writing: Modes that minimise distractions so you can focus on writing.
Collaboration: Features allowing you to share your manuscript with beta readers or editors.

Free Novel Writing Software Options

Not all writers are ready to invest in premium software, especially when starting out. Luckily, there are several writers software free options that offer robust features without the cost:

Google Docs: A versatile and collaborative tool, Google Docs allows you to write, share, and edit in real time. It’s an excellent choice for co-writing projects.
yWriter: As mentioned earlier, yWriter is free and offers scene management, character tracking, and more.
Manuskript: An open-source novel writing software with outlining, plotting, and research features. It’s a great free alternative for budget-conscious writers.
FocusWriter: This app for writers provides a distraction-free environment with customisable themes and a focus mode to help you concentrate on your writing.

Mind Mapping Software for Writers

In addition to traditional novel writing software, mind mapping software can be incredibly useful for brainstorming and organising your ideas. Mind maps help visualise the connections between characters, plot points, and themes. Here’s how to integrate mind mapping into your writing process:

Brainstorming: Use mind maps to brainstorm plot ideas, character backgrounds, and setting details.
Outlining: Create a visual outline of your story, allowing you to see the big picture.
Problem Solving: Map out potential plot holes and find creative solutions. Character
Relationships: Visualise the relationships and interactions between characters.

We have our own mind-mapping tool called Scapple. Scapple is a freeform mind-mapping tool that helps writers brainstorm and connect ideas visually. It’s perfect for planning your novel’s structure and exploring plot and character relationships.

How to Choose the Right Software for Writing a Book

Selecting the right book writing software depends on your specific needs and writing style. Here are some tips to help you choose:

Identify Your Needs: Determine what features are most important for your writing process. Do you need robust outlining tools, or are you looking for a simple, distraction-free environment?
Try Free Versions: Many writing apps offer free versions or trials. Test out a few to see which one feels the most intuitive and supportive.
Consider Compatibility: Ensure the software is compatible with your devices and operating systems. If you write on multiple devices, look for apps that sync seamlessly.
Read Reviews: Check out reviews from other writers to see how the software has helped them. Look for feedback on ease of use, reliability, and customer support.

The Benefits of Using Book Writing Software

Using specialised novel writing software offers numerous benefits that can enhance your writing experience:

Improved Organisation: Keep all your notes, drafts, and research in one place, making it easier to access and manage your materials.
Enhanced Productivity: Writing apps often include features like word count goals, timers, and progress tracking to help you stay motivated and productive.
Better Editing: Built-in grammar and style checks can help you catch errors and improve the quality of your writing.
Seamless Formatting: Easily format your manuscript for different publishing platforms, saving you time and effort.
Collaboration: Share your work with editors, beta readers, or co-authors directly through the software, streamlining the feedback process.

Investing in the right novel writing software or book writing app can significantly enhance your writing process. Whether you need comprehensive tools for organising and outlining or a simple, distraction-free environment, there is a software solution to fit your needs. Explore the options, test a few, and find the perfect tool to help you bring your story to life.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your entire manuscript or for sections within it—or set a target for the current writing session. Keep track of word and character counts as you write, and then check the Writing History to see how much you have written each day.

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. Colour-code sections using labels, track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status”, and assign keywords for anything you want. You can even create your own meta-data fields to suit the demands of your project.

Collections

Collections let you create lists of related documents from anywhere in your project. Build smart lists that automatically show you documents that need more work, or scenes written from a particular point of view. Want to track which chapters are flashbacks? Just throw them in a “Flashbacks” collection.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your entire manuscript or for sections within it—or set a target for the current writing session. Keep track of word and character counts as you write, and then check the Writing History to see how much you have written each day.

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. Colour-code sections using labels, track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status”, and assign keywords for anything you want. You can even create your own meta-data fields to suit the demands of your project.

Collections

Collections let you create lists of related documents from anywhere in your project. Build smart lists that automatically show you documents that need more work, or scenes written from a particular point of view. Want to track which chapters are flashbacks? Just throw them in a “Flashbacks” collection.

You Choose the Tools

Different writing projects demand different thought processes, and Scrivener’s flexible interface adapts to the work at hand. Arrange index cards along coloured lines on the corkboard—perfect for tracking different storylines or thematic developments. Experiment and place cards anywhere in freeform mode. Choose which columns are shown in the outliner—or create your own. Use the corkboard or outliner to browse through research while you write. Make a mess or keep it simple. Whatever you’re writing, you get to choose the tools that work for you, and everything else stays out of your way.

You Choose the Tools

Different writing projects demand different thought processes, and Scrivener’s flexible interface adapts to the work at hand. Arrange index cards along coloured lines on the corkboard—perfect for tracking different storylines or thematic developments. Experiment and place cards anywhere in freeform mode. Choose which columns are shown in the outliner—or create your own. Use the corkboard or outliner to browse through research while you write. Make a mess or keep it simple. Whatever you’re writing, you get to choose the tools that work for you, and everything else stays out of your way.

Print, Export, Publish

Scrivener has everything you need to prepare your manuscript for sharing with the world. Write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines. Export to a wide variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word, RTF and OpenOffice. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Generate PDF files ready for self-publishing. Create Epub and Kindle ebooks to sell on iBooks or Amazon, or for proof-reading on an e-reader. You can even use MultiMarkdown for LaTeX support and more.

Print, Export, Publish

Scrivener has everything you need to prepare your manuscript for sharing with the world. Write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines. Export to a wide variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word, RTF and PDF. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Create Epub and Kindle e-books to sell on Amazon or elsewhere, or for proof-reading on an e-reader. You can even use MultiMarkdown for LaTeX support and more.

Snapshots

Never be afraid of rewrites. Before embarking on a major revision, take a “Snapshot” of a section and you’ll be able to return to the earlier version whenever you want. Can’t remember what you changed? The “Compare” feature will show you.

Auto-Save and Backups

Scrivener automatically saves while you work, meaning you never have to worry about when you last hit “Save”. And for extra peace of mind, Scrivener can automatically back up your projects whenever they are opened or closed—perfect for ensuring there’s always a recent backup stashed safely away.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

Snapshots

Never be afraid of rewrites. Before embarking on a major revision, take a “Snapshot” of a section and you’ll be able to return to the earlier version whenever you want. Can’t remember what you changed? The “Compare” feature will show you.

Auto-Save and Backups

Scrivener automatically saves while you work, meaning you never have to worry about when you last hit “Save”. And for extra peace of mind, Scrivener can automatically back up your projects whenever they are opened or closed—perfect for ensuring there’s always a recent backup stashed safely away.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Scrivener unites everything you need to write, research and arrange long documents in a single, powerful app. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to gather your material and flick between different parts of your manuscript, notes and references with ease. Break your text into manageable sections of any size and leave Scrivener to stitch them together. Integrated outlining tools let you plan everything first or restructure later. And as your project grows, you’ll find that Scrivener grows with it

Outlining

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outlining tools. Work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Mark sections with a status such as “To Do” and assign coloured labels. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Outlining

Find the structure of your writing with Scrivener’s powerful outlining tools. Work with an overview of a chapter, a part, or even your whole manuscript. Arrange your draft however you want using folders and subfolders. Review synopses of what you’ve written so far or summarise what you need to write next. Mark sections with a status such as “To Do” and assign coloured labels. And when you suddenly realise your epilogue would work better as a prologue? No problem. Easily reorganise everything using drag and drop.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists, or insert images and tables. And by switching to page view, you can see the pages fill up as you type.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your manuscript or for the current writing session. See how much you’ve written in each section with the live word and character counter, which updates as you type.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too.

Familiar Text Editing

If you’ve ever used a word processor, you’ll feel right at home in Scrivener’s editor. Add bold, italics and all the other formatting you’d expect. Highlight phrases that need work. Add comments and annotations. Make lists and insert images. You can even add your favourite text tools to Scrivener’s special keyboard row, putting them right at your fingertips.

Set Targets and Track Progress

Set word or character targets for your manuscript or for the current writing session. See how much you’ve written in each section with the live word and character counter, which updates as you type.

Tools for Non-Fiction

With support for footnotes and the ability to import and refer to a library of research, Scrivener is the ideal tool for non-fiction writers, too.

Dark Mode

Eyes tired of staring at a bright screen? Switch to Scrivener’s gorgeous Dark Mode. The whole app transforms so that all of your text becomes light against a dark background.

Dark Mode

Eyes tired of staring at a bright screen? Switch to Scrivener’s gorgeous Dark Mode. The whole app transforms so that all of your text becomes light against a dark background.

Print, Export, Publish

Share your manuscript with the world. Export to Microsoft Word or as an RTF file. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Generate a PDF. Scrivener lets you customise how your exported manuscript looks, so you can write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines.

Print, Export, Publish

Share your manuscript with the world. Export to Microsoft Word or as an RTF file. Save screenplays to Final Draft format with script notes intact. Generate a PDF. Scrivener lets you customise how your exported manuscript looks, so you can write in your favourite font and then print using formatting tailored to submission guidelines.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Scriptwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Import

Already have writing or research in other apps? You can import all sorts of files into your Scrivener projects, including Word documents, plain text files, Final Draft scripts, images, PDF documents, movies, sound files and web pages.

Templates and Icons

Create templates that can be used as the basis for new sections in your project, such as character or location sheets for planning a novel. Assign custom icons to your templates (or to any section) to make them easier to pick out in the outline.

Scriptwriting

Whether you’re drafting the next blockbuster, writing for the stage, or penning a comic, Scrivener’s familiar scriptwriting features deal with the formatting, leaving you free to focus on the action. And when you’re done, you can print directly from Scrivener or export to industry-standard software such as Final Draft.

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time. (iPad Only)

Corkboard

The corkboard is one of the writer’s most familiar planning tools. But before Scrivener, if you moved index cards on the board, you’d also have to reshuffle the sections those cards represented in your manuscript to reflect your changes. In Scrivener, every section of your project is attached to a virtual index card. Scrivener’s corkboard lets you step back and work with just the synopses you’ve written on the cards—and when you move them, you’re rearranging your manuscript at the same time. (iPad Only)

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. Using the “Quick Reference” feature, you can view two different documents at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach. (iPad Only)

View Documents Side by Side

Need to check for consistency with something you wrote in Chapter Two? Writing a description based on a photo? Scrivener makes it easy. Using the “Quick Reference” feature, you can view two different documents at once. Whether you’re translating an interview, transcribing an audio file or transforming rushed notes into careful prose, your research is always within reach. (iPad Only)

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. You can colour code sections using labels, and you can track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status” such as “To Do” or “First Draft”.

Find and Replace

Pull down in the documents list to search the whole project for a phrase, or bring up the editor’s Find bar to find and replace text in the current document.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

Metadata

Use meta-data to record and find useful information. You can colour code sections using labels, and you can track the progress of revisions by applying a “Status” such as “To Do” or “First Draft”.

Find and Replace

Pull down in the documents list to search the whole project for a phrase, or bring up the editor’s Find bar to find and replace text in the current document.

Write Anywhere

Take your manuscript with you wherever you go. Scrivener is available for iOS, macOS and Windows, so you can spread out on a big screen, sync using Dropbox or transfer with iTunes, and then pluck your book from your pocket and carry on writing on your iPhone. (Licences sold separately.)

Scrivener

Scrivener

Scrivener

For writing. And writing. And writing.

Grow your manuscript your way

See the forest or the trees

Research within reach

Getting it out there

macOS

Windows

iOS

Show Scrivener for macOSmacOSWindowsiOS

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Piece it Together

Piece it Together

Familiar Text Editing

Styles

Import

Familiar Text Editing

Styles

Import

Corkboard

Corkboard

Outliner

Outliner

Templates and Icons

Screenwriting

Tools for Non-Fiction

Templates and Icons

Screenwriting

Tools for Non-Fiction

View Documents Side by Side

View Documents Side by Side

Full-Screen Writing

Full-Screen Writing

Set Targets and Track Progress

Metadata

Collections

Set Targets and Track Progress

Metadata

Collections

You Choose the Tools

You Choose the Tools

Print, Export, Publish

Print, Export, Publish

Snapshots

Auto-Save and Backups

Write Anywhere

Snapshots

Auto-Save and Backups

Write Anywhere

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

From Blank Page to Book—Your Way

Piece it Together

Piece it Together

Familiar Text Editing

Styles

Import

Familiar Text Editing

Formatting Presets

Import

Corkboard

Corkboard

Outliner

Outliner

Templates and Icons

Screenwriting

Tools for Non-Fiction

Templates and Icons

Screenwriting

Tools for Non-Fiction

View Documents Side by Side

View Documents Side by Side

Full-Screen Writing

Full-Screen Writing

Novel Writing Software: A Book Writing App For Writers

Why Use Our Novel Writing Software?

Top Novel Writing Software and Book Writing Apps

Features to Look for in Book Writing Software

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macOS
Windows
iOS