Every writer eventually goes through the same phase where they start wondering if the problem with their writing isn’t them… but the software they’re using!
You usually start in something basic like Word or Google Docs, because that’s what you already have open on your computer. And honestly that works fine for a while. But then you start hearing other writers talk about things like Scrivener, or editing tools, or formatting software, and suddenly it feels like there’s this whole ecosystem of writing tools you’re somehow supposed to know about.
That’s usually when people start going down the rabbit hole.
The funny thing is you absolutely can write a book with nothing more than a basic document editor. Tons of people do. But once a manuscript starts getting longer, and you’re juggling revisions, research notes, editing passes, and all the other stuff that comes with finishing a book, certain tools can make the process a lot easier to manage.
So instead of trying to list every writing app that exists, I’m just going to walk through the ones I personally keep coming back to and explain where they tend to fit. Some of them are actual writing programs, some help with editing, and a couple are things authors end up using once the manuscript is finished and they’re preparing to publish.
You definitely don’t need all of them. But if you spend enough time around authors you’ll notice a lot of people eventually settle into some version of this same mix.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
The writing tools I end up using the most
Here are the best tools for writers:
- Atticus–Best Overall Software
- Scrivener–Runner Up
- Google Docs–Best Word Processor
- ProWritingAid–Best Editing Tool
- Hemingway App–Best Lightweight Tool
- Publisher Rocket–Best Book Marketing Tool
- Canva–Best Book Cover Design Tool
- Dropbox–Best Document Sharing Platform
This is the group of tools I personally end up using the most.
Some of them are actual writing programs where the manuscript lives while you’re drafting. Others show up later when you’re editing, formatting, or getting ready to publish. But if you spend enough time writing and publishing books you’ll start noticing authors tend to rely on the same handful of tools over and over again, just in slightly different combinations.
That’s really all this list is. These are the ones I keep coming back to, and the ones I see other writers using all the time.
If you do intend on purchasing some of these, you can do so through one of my links. And while some of these links will be affiliate links, they won’t cost you any extra at all to use. They just help keep my teapot abrewin’ so I can keep bringing you worth-while content.
Where each of these tools actually fits
Alright, let’s walk through these one by one and talk about where each of them actually fits.
Some of these are tools you’ll use while writing the manuscript itself, others show up later once you’re editing or preparing the book for publication. None of them are strictly required, but they’re the kinds of tools authors tend to discover once they’ve been writing for a while.
Atticus (where a lot of writers eventually land)
Atticus is probably the closest thing on this list to a true “all-in-one” writing tool.
What got a lot of writers interested in it when it first came out was the idea that you could handle both the writing and the formatting in the same place. Normally those are two completely separate steps. You draft the book in one program, then export it somewhere else to format it for publishing.
Atticus tries to combine those pieces so the whole process happens in the same workspace, which is why a lot of authors ended up getting curious about it pretty quickly.
The Good Stuff
- Writing AND Formatting: Atticus is not just a writing program, it’s also a formatting program, so you no longer have to keep going back and forth between different programs, increasing the liklihood of human error. It’s all-in-one, baby!
- Cross-Platform Magic: Unlike other programs like it (looking at you Vellum), Atticus is available on all other platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
- Affordable AF: $147 for a lifetime account, friends. No sneaky subscription fees. And guess what? Free updates for life!
- Feature Fiesta: From a robust theme generator to goal-setting options to endnotes/footnotes to box set options, Atticus is like the Swiss Army knife for authors. It even has reusable elements, which is really handy for those “Also by” pages that I don’t have to build out every time now. Create an author bio once, use it forever.
So, Is Atticus Worth the Hype?
In a word: Absolutely. It’s like having a writing assistant, a formatter, and a motivational coach all rolled into one. So, if you’re still on the fence, just take the plunge. You won’t regret it!
Scrivener (the longtime favorite)
Before Atticus came around, Scrivener was my go-to. It’s a fantastic and inexpensive way to write books (although it’s mostly limited to just writing). Scrivener takes a corkboard approach to your story–both figuratively and literally.
Every great story normally comes from good planning and direction. And that’s what Scrivener aims to provide. At heart, Scrivener is a word processing software, but it’s all the extra stuff it can do that really makes it special. The software takes on the role of planner and project manager allowing you to finish your work with ease. This is done through the use of templates, virtual corkboard organization, formatting tools, and much more.
It does have a pretty steep learning curve though. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be spitting out drafts faster than a pitching machine at your local batting cage.
Google Docs (the one everyone already has)
Look, I get it. You’ve been using Word since the beginning of time. Trust me, I’ve been where you are. At one time, Word was really the only game in town, and we had no choice but to be good little puppets and follow along. But that time has long since passed. There are other options now, and the best among them is Google Docs.
(Shh…it’s a sneak peek into the inner machinations of NerdyBookGirl. If you want the full article, check this link here.)
The first thing you’ll really notice about Google Docs is just how intuitive and simple it is. You know how in Word you gotta jump from menu to menu just to insert a hyperlink or media file? Or how the spacing formats are never as clearly defined as you want them? This is a non-issue with Google Docs. It’s all right there in front of you for ease of operations. And if you are required to write on both Word and Google Docs for different publications, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
Another element that makes Google Docs super amazing is just how easy it is to share and collaborate. Just send your co-author or editor a permission-granted link, and they can go in and make edits straight away. And, perhaps, the most exciting feature is how boss the autosave function is. You can literally type a single letter and it will immediately save. There’s no need for special file names or properly closing down the program. If your computer crashes, you will lose NOTHING. And it’s absolutely free to use as well with no hidden charges, fees, or subscriptions!
ProWritingAid (for editing passes)
When it comes to book writing (or any writing for that matter), you need to pay close attention to your editing. And the best book writing software to help you do that is ProWritingAid. Now, by no means does this take the place of an actual human editor. But it does make your life and that of your editor that much easier. And ProWritingAid is much, much more than a simple spell/grammar checker. It’s a full-blown writing coach at your immediate disposal.
ProWritingAid doesn’t just tell you that there’s an error and what the solution is. That’s just so basic. PWA actually tells you what the error is, why it’s wrong, an how to avoid it in the future. Oh yeah, and it provides a solution. And it does all of this in real time. But what about those intentional errors or informal slang? Fuggedaboutit. You can actually have PWA examine your writing from different stylistic tones. From informal blog writing to highly technical research papers…PWA’s got you covered.
However, the best part of PWA is the reports. The software provides you with 20+ reports on different areas of your writing in order to really bring out the best in your musings. And you can avail of much this completely free! Just head over to their in-browser web interface and get started right away. Of course, the free platform is relatively limited. You’ve only got 500 words. But if you’re writing short-form such as emails or quick blogs… It’s amazing! They also provide plagiarism checks if needed; however, those do come at an additional fee.
Hemingway App (quick clarity checks)
Are you smarter than a 5th Grader? Probably so. But do you really want to read at a higher level than that? You might think you do, but science says otherwise. The best engagement from readers comes from simpler writing. And that might be because you’re really not alienating anyone. Anybody can pick up your work, read it, and actually understand it. This can lead to some great repeat readers and accelerated growth within your fanbase. And the Hemingway App can help you do just this.
The Hemingway App is a free web tool that will give you a reading level grade for your writing in a quick, easy-to-use manner. All you have to do is copy and paste your text into the web editor. And the app will instantly give you a readout of three very important criteria:
- Use of Adverbs
- Difficult or Very Hard to Read Sentences
- Reading Level
Not only is this app super-lightweight, it’s also absolutely free. Seriously, if you’re not using this app, you could be missing out on some great info.
Publisher Rocket (for the Amazon side of things)
Publisher Rocket technically isn’t a writing program, but it’s one of those tools a lot of authors eventually run into once they start thinking about publishing on Amazon.
Finishing the manuscript is only part of the process. After that you still have to figure out things like categories, keywords, and whether people are actually searching for the kind of book you just wrote. That’s the sort of research Rocket is designed to help with, which is why it tends to show up in conversations about publishing tools.
The biggest retailer of books anywhere in the world is Amazon. And if you can master the art of self-publishing on Amazon, you can compete with bestsellers and become one yourself. But… there’s a lot to it besides just popping a book on the site. You’ll hear people say that a good book sells because of good writing.
That’s not true at all. A book sells because of how you market it. Good writing is not going to sell your book when no one has read it.
However, there’s a lot of research and work needed to get your book visible on Amazon. You’ll need to spend countless hours researching the right keywords to assign to your book, what category you have the best chance of succeeding in, how you’ll far against your competition, and even how to properly set up paid advertisement on Amazon through AMS ads. It’s no easy task.
But Publisher Rocket makes it simpler. Want to know the best keywords for your book? Or categories? Simply type your topic into the program and boom! You’re presented with hundreds if not thousands of viable keyword choices. And as far as categories go, Publisher Rocket can help you navigate through all +11,000 categories and their associated strings. And Publisher Rocket is the only book marketing software available that has an actual tool to help you find specialized AMS keywords.
The software does come at a price however. It’s a one-time fee of $199. And I know that can be a little steep for some. But it’s a one-time fee and you’ll receive all future upgrades for free. I’ve personally used Rocket for a few years now and haven’t a clue on how I survived without it before. It helped me to achieve my coveted Bestseller ribbon and no doubt can help you to get yours.
Canva (when you need visuals)
Out of all of the programs on this list, I find myself using Canva the most. It’s one of the absolute best graphic design tools you’ll see anywhere. While it’s not the most involved (like Photoshop), it’s a design software for the common people that super simple to understand. And it’s absolutely great for putting together your book cover.
And it doesn’t take long to get started. All you need to do is to head over to their website, create an account, and get creating! You can either choose from a pre-made template or designate your own custom dimensions. Canva also gives you the ability to upload your own images and build out your database for a better creation experience.
There are a few features that are locked behind a paywall. However, the cost of Canva Pro is right around $12/month, so it’s pretty affordable–especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of graphic design.
Dropbox (keeping everything backed up)
If you’re working with a team, whether it be another author, illustrator, editor, or marketer, you’re going to need to devise a system that helps each and everyone of you to communicate. It can often become very confusing as to what file is where and who has what information. But that issue can easily be resolved with Dropbox.
Dropbox is an online storage facility where you can coordinate your workflow. Designate folders for unfinished work, final drafts, media files, and more. You can even assign team members to specific folders as long as they have Dropbox as well.
It can be a super useful tool for just getting everything in one spot.
Did I miss any writing tools?
One of the funny things about writing software is how easy it is to start thinking there must be some perfect tool out there that suddenly makes the whole process easier.
If you spend enough time reading writing blogs or browsing forums you’ll see people debating Scrivener versus Google Docs versus a dozen other programs. And the truth is a lot of books are still written in very simple document editors.
Most authors eventually branch out into other tools because certain parts of the process get messy. Manuscripts get longer. Edits pile up. Research notes start living in random folders. That’s when tools designed specifically for writers start making more sense.
Some people fall in love with Scrivener and never leave it. Some stick with Google Docs forever. Some lean heavily on editing tools once the draft is finished. And if you’re publishing on Amazon, tools like Publisher Rocket usually enter the picture later when you’re figuring out the marketing side.
Eventually most writers land on a small set of tools that just make their workflow easier.
The important part isn’t the software itself. It’s finding something that helps you stay organized enough to keep writing.
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