Best book writing software

If you’re an author, you know that writing a book is no easy task. It can be hard to stay motivated, organized, and focused when you have so much writing to do!

When I was writing my novel, Iron Dogs, I was also juggling screenwriting, acting, film work, and housework – not to mention all the tasks related to raising school-age kids with a schedule full of activities. There were times when it was super hard to stay on track, and I wished I could have had some assistance back then.

That’s where the best book-writing software programs come in handy! Most writers have some experience with MS Word or similar word processor programs.

However, the variety of writing tools and their applications have dramatically increased recently, and most authors want to look beyond simple word processors.

As a writer, you may be wondering what book-writing software tools are available to help you write your next novel, short story, or non-fiction book.

Best word processor

Scrivener

Scrivener small logo

Scrivener is the premier word processor for book writers, offering character profiles and plot outlines, a cost-effective one-time purchase model, and a 30-day free trial.

Best style editor

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid small logo

ProWritingAid is a writing software developed to help with editing and improving your book’s style, grammar, and tone. It’s also free!

best grammar checker

Grammarly

Grammarly small logo

Grammarly is the original (and best!) grammar and spelling-checking software program for writers.

best for ai-assisted writing

Jasper AI

Jasper logo

Jasper AI is a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing assistant. It’s amazing for helping both fiction and non-fiction authors write their books more quickly.

best for book marketing

PublisherRocket

PublisherRocket small logo

PublisherRocket is an AI-assisted book marketing program. It helps you with keyword research for selling your book on Amazon.

While no perfect writing tool will work for every writer, many different options and advanced features are available depending on your needs. You’re really going to want to look into each program and see what they do best!

So, in this article, we will review the best book-writing software programs on the market. We will look at them based on features, use cases, pros, cons, and pricing.

So whether you’re just starting your book-writing journey or already well into it, read on for the best tools to help you write your masterpiece!

Neil Chase Film is supported by its readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support!

what is book writing software

What are the Best Book Writing Software Programs?

Scrivener

Scrivener Book writing software home

Overview

Scrivener is a powerful novel writing software program with all the features you need to stay organized and motivated.

It has a split-screen interface, letting you see your research while writing. You can also create character profiles and plot outlines so you always know where your story is going. Scrivener has a built-in word count goal tracker, so you can stay on track and hit your deadlines.

Top Features

  • Split-screen interface (keep your research and notes close at hand!)
  • Has advanced features, such as character profiles and plot outlines (to keep you organized)
  • Word count goal tracker (great for motivation!)
  • Has a 30-day free trial
  • Has free writing templates to get you started
  • Pay once and have it forever (this writing app is not a subscription service)
Scrivener Recent Updates (2023)

The Scrivener software is updated every few months. They are currently on Version 3, which was originally released in 2021. The latest updates have improved the text-to-speech feature, making it more adjustable, as well as fixing a few bugs in the software.

Pricing

How to buy scrivener book writing software

Scrivener‘s pricing depends on the platform you are using (see details below). This specialized book writing software is a buy-once-and-have-it-forever program, which is excellent for writers who don’t want to worry about yet another monthly or yearly subscription cost!

Single Platform Cost (macOS or Windows): $49

Scrivener for iOS: $19.99

Buy all three platforms together: $99.99

Bottom Line

Scrivener is the best book-writing software program with everything you need to stay organized and motivated.

It’s great for writers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Plus, it’s a buy-once and have-it-forever program, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing subscription costs!


ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid main page

Overview

ProwritingAid is an online editing tool that helps you improve your writing. It is my favorite writing tool for giving feedback on your writing style, tone, grammar, and more. It is one of the best free software programs for creative writers!

Top Features

  • Provides feedback on your writing style
  • Free and premium plans are available
  • AI-powered software gives you clear, easy-to-follow steps to improve your creative writing!
  • It is a powerful grammar-checker tool
  • Includes access to articles, videos, and quizzes to help you become a better writer
  • Has a great free version in addition to a paid plan with more features
ProWritingAid Recent Updates (2023)

The Premium version of ProWritingAid now includes a Tone Detector – perfect for checking how others will feel about your written work! It also now checks for overused words – with the Premium version, you can even give it specific words you’d like it to check for in your writing.

Pricing

Pricing-ProWritingAid

ProWriting Aid Free:

  • Gives you access to 19 writing reports
  • Ability to edit 500 words at a time
  • Use online only

ProWritingAid Premium:

  • No word limit
  • Available on desktop computers
  • Integrate with MS Word Processor, Google Docs, Chrome, and Scrivener

Bottom Line

ProWritingAid is the best writing software for authors who want to improve their writing skills. The software provides detailed feedback on your writing and helps you improve your grammar and meet your writing goals.

Use this program together with a word processor, such as Google Docs, and a book writing software, such as Scrivener, for a powerful fiction book writing combination!


Grammarly

Grammarly homepage

Overview

Grammarly is a book writing software that helps you fix grammar mistakes and improve the quality of your writing. It is one of my favorite book-writing software tools for writers of all levels, from beginners to experts.

Grammarly is a great way to improve your writing skills and ensure that your work is error-free.

Top Features

  • Grammarly is a great way to improve your grammar skills.
  • You can either use the online version or download the software for free.
  • The software is available for both Windows and Mac.
  • There is also a Chrome extension to make checking the grammar of your work easy!
  • It’s easy to use, and you can see results immediately.
  • You can also get a premium version of Grammarly, which gives you more features, such as advanced grammar checking, vocabulary enhancement, and plagiarism detection.

RELATED: You can learn about additional Grammarly alternatives here!

Pricing

You can either use the online version or download the software for free. The premium version of Grammarly costs $30 per month, but you can get a considerable discount if you sign up for a year ($12/month!).

Grammarly Recent Updates (July 2023)

The main update from Grammarly has been the introduction of GrammarlyGo. This is an AI writing software that you can use anywhere you use Grammarly! A small window will pop up in your document, and you can prompt the AI to write something, rewrite a section, or help you with ideas for your writing.

Bottom Line

Overall, Grammarly is an affordable (or free!) and easy-to-use writing software that can help you improve your writing skills. It’s a great tool for writers of all levels, from beginners to experts.

If you’re looking for a way to make sure that your work is error-free, Grammarly is a great option!


Jasper AI

Jasper

Overview

Jasper AI is the perfect choice for those looking to write a professional book. It combines artificial intelligence capabilities with innovative features such as customizable templates and real-time collaboration tools to help authors create engaging and well-crafted books quickly and efficiently.

You can read my full review of Jasper here!

Top Features

  • Jasper AI is an artificial intelligence-powered writing assistant that can guide you through the book writing process.
  • It automatically formats text, ensuring your content looks professional.
  • It can help you with either fiction writing (use the “Creative Story” template or the hero’s journey book recipe) or non-fiction book writing (use the Jasper Chat feature).
  • Jasper allows you to collaborate with other writers in real time, if desired.
Jasper AI Recent Updates (2023)

Jasper now allows users to create and save a “brand voice” that it will use when writing all new content! To find your voice, you can get Jasper to automatically “read” your entire blog, book, or any piece of writing – and it will generate a unique “brand voice” for you!

Pricing

Pricing-Jasper

Jasper has three levels of pricing. Their most popular is the Creator level!

Creator: $39 per month (if you pay yearly – or $49/month if you pay monthly).

Teams: $99 per month (yearly – or $125/month if you pay monthly). The main feature you get with this plan is that you can have three people use Jasper, and you can have up to three brand voices.

Business: Contact them for custom pricing.

All levels include one brand voice (great for getting consistent on-brand content) and the Jasper templates. They also include the super-useful Chrome browser extension! I use the Creator plan and find it a small price to pay for such a fantastic AI writing tool!

Both the Creator and Teams plans also have a free 7-day trial so you can try them out before you buy!

Bottom Line

Jasper AI is a fantastic choice for authors looking to craft an engaging and professional book. Its AI-powered assistant guides writers through the creative process with customizable templates that make the entire experience simpler. I would say that Jasper is best for non-fiction book writers, though.

If you want to use AI to help you write a fictional short story or novel, try out Sudowrite!


Google Docs

best book writing software

Overview

Google Docs is a word processing program that is part of the Google Drive Office Suite. The software is available for free and can be used online or offline. It offers many key features that are similar to other writing software, such as Microsoft Word.

Top Features

  • Google Docs is a great free book-writing software program
  • Can be used online or offline
  • Multiple people can work on the same document at the same time
  • Changes are saved automatically
  • Keeps track of who made what changes and when they were made
  • Offers many features that are similar to other word processors, such as Microsoft Word
  • Can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
  • Integrates with other Google products and services such as Gmail and Calendar
  • Files can be exported to different formats (PDF, Word, etc.)
  • Has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Pricing

Google Docs is a free tool for writing. There are no subscription fees or charges for using the software.

However, users can purchase additional storage space for their Google Drive account if needed. Files that are created in Google Docs take up space in the user’s Google Drive account, so purchasing additional storage room may be necessary at some point!

Bottom Line

Google Docs is the perfect book-writing software for those familiar with other Google products and services. It is free to use and has features similar to other word processors on the market, such as Microsoft Word.

Google docs is a great place to start for beginning writers!


Hemingway App

Hemingway-Editor passive voice sentences

Overview

Do you want to write like a pro? Hemingway app has a simple user interface with a clean, uncluttered writing environment, which can be a great boon for writers who tend to get lost in the details.

It also forces you to make your writing more concise and finds your grammatical mistakes. In this way, it’s like a virtual editor sitting on your shoulder, helping you edit as you go.

Top Features

  • Hemingway App is an online editor designed to make your writing more concise and clear.
  • It highlights adverbs, passive voice, and complicated phrases. For example, if you see a yellow sentence, shorten or split it. If you see a red highlight, your sentence is so dense and complicated that your readers will get lost trying to follow its meandering, splitting logic — try to simplify it!
  • Hemingway also provides a readability score to see how easy your writing is to read.
  • The app has a built-in dictionary and thesaurus, so you can quickly look up words and synonyms.
  • Hemingway writing app is available for both Mac and PC. It even works well on mobile devices.
  • Work in Hemingway Editor offline – no Wi-Fi is required (with the downloadable paid version).
  • With Hemingway Editor, you can publish directly to WordPress and Medium.
  • Easily export to Microsoft Word or other word processing programs.

Pricing

Hemingway Plans and Pricing

Hemingway App offers a free account online, or you can download it to your computer for offline access for $19.99.

Bottom Line

Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear. You’ll get feedback on readability, sentence length, and more. It’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills and make their writing more concise and clear. It’s also great that they offer a free program version online!

With Hemingway App, you can quickly eliminate complex words, adverbs, and passive voice from your writing. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to write well when you have this app by your side.

Download Hemingway App now and start writing like a pro!


Atticus

Atticus for book writing software

Overview

Do you want to write a book but don’t know where to start?

Atticus is the best writing software for writing, formatting, and designing a book. You don’t need any prior experience or design skills. The Atticus book writing software takes care of everything for you – from layout to typesetting, from the cover design to indexing.

You’ll be able to create beautiful print books and eBooks that will look great on any device. And because the software is so easy to use, you’ll be able to finish your book in no time.

Top Features

  • Atticus takes care of everything for you, from layout to typesetting, from the cover design to indexing.
  • Includes 17 book writing templates to help you create the perfect look for your book faster, or use their custom theme builder.
  • Atticus offers many key features to help you write your book, including a word processor, an outliner, and a research tool.
  • You can create beautiful print books and eBooks that look great on any device.
  • You can preview how your book will look on different kinds of devices.
  • The software is easy to use, so you can finish your book quickly.
  • You can access Atticus from anywhere in the world and share your work with others easily.
  • Atticus is available in eight languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian.

Pricing

Pricing for Atticus writing app

Atticus is a one-time payment of $147.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for book-writing software to make the process easy and enjoyable, Atticus is a perfect choice. With its wide range of features and ease of use, Atticus is the ideal software for anyone who wants to write and publish a book. While it has a steep learning curve, it is great for authors looking to self-publish their own book with minimal assistance!


NovelPad

best book writing software is NovelPad

Overview

Novel and book writing is hard enough without wrestling with a complex writing tool.

All too often, fiction writers get bogged down by the tools they’re using. This can lead to frustration and a loss of focus on the writing process.

NovelPad was created to help you overcome these common problems. Its simple, distraction-free interface helps you stay focused on your story, while the powerful features make it easy to create and edit your work.

NovelPad is designed to make the process of writing a novel easier and more efficient!

Top Features

  • Has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use for both new and experienced writers
  • The software comes with a variety of templates that can be used to create different types of novels
  • NovelPad makes it easy to organize and manage your novel. You can easily add, delete, or move chapters around as you write
  • NovelPad allows you to set goals, track your progress, and see how far you have come in your novel-writing journey
  • Check your novel for consistency of characters, settings, and plot points by filtering scenes by keywords

Pricing

NovelPad

NovelPad has a 14-day free trial.

If you like this book-writing software after the free trial, you can pay $8 monthly or just $60 annually.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for the right book-writing software to help you write a novel more efficiently, NovelPad is a perfect choice.

With its simple and user-friendly interface, templates, and easy organization, NovelPad is the latest and greatest book-writing software that offers writers everything they need to write a great novel efficiently. It’s also surprisingly affordable!


FocusWriter

FocusWriter

For many authors, the most challenging part of writing is simply getting started. Once the creative juices flow, the words tend to come relatively quickly and easily. However, those first few minutes can be painfully slow as the mind struggles to overcome writer’s block and find the right starting point!

The FocusWriter program can help authors write faster by providing a simple, distraction-free mode that helps to calm and focus the mind. By eliminating distractions and automating everyday tasks, FocusWriter allows authors to settle into their work more quickly and get into a flow state more easily. As a result, authors who use FocusWriter may find they can produce their best work in less time.

Top Features

Numerous writing programs are designed to help authors create their best work. If you’re looking for a simple word processor to help you focus and stay organized, FocusWriter is an excellent option. Here are some of its top features:

  • Fullscreen mode: One of the best things about FocusWriter is that it can be set to fullscreen mode, helping you avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Word count goals: You can also set this kind of goal in FocusWriter, which can be a great motivator when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired.
  • Timers: The program includes several different timers to help you stay on track with your writing. For example, you can set a timer for each session or project.
  • Themes and Colors: The program’s look is fully customizable, so you’ll love your clean, uncluttered writing environment!

Pricing

FocusWriter is a free writing software option for authors!

Bottom Line

For those struggling with writer’s block, the FocusWriter program can be a godsend. FocusWriter helps authors focus on their tasks by hiding all other computer programs and files. This way, there are no distractions to pull them away from the story.

With its simple interface and handy tools, FocusWriter is invaluable for anyone who wants to write faster.


Freedom

Freedom productivity app

Overview

Freedom is one of the best programs for authors because it improves productivity and controls distractions when you are writing books. The app allows users to block specific websites and apps for a set amount of time, helping them to focus on their work.

Top Features

If you’re an author looking for the best writing program to help you get the most out of your work, look no further than Freedom. Freedom offers a wide range of features that are designed to help you write more effectively, including:

  • First and foremost, Freedom provides a distraction-free writing environment. This is essential for authors who need a focus mode to complete their work.
  • Freedom allows you to block specific websites or apps and lets you program the days and times that you want them to be blocked!
  • Freedom integrates with all your devices to provide maximum scheduling and productivity opportunities!

Pricing

Freedom pricing

Freedom has three levels of pricing (including a free trial for new users!):

Monthly Payments: 8.99/month

Yearly Payment: $3.33/month (paid yearly)

Lifetime Use (Forever): $159.99

Bottom Line

Freedom is a powerful program that offers many features to help authors be more productive and organized. If you’re looking for the best writing program to help you get the most out of your work, look no further than the focus mode of Freedom.

Learn More About Freedom Here

Publisher Rocket

Publisher-Rocket

Overview

Publisher Rocket is the premier book writing software for Amazon authors looking to maximize their potential. Its innovative features give authors the ultimate edge so they can get their stories into more hands than ever before.

With Publisher Rocket, you can boost your books’ visibility and make sure that shoppers across the globe have access to your work. Worry less about marketing and have confidence knowing that Publisher Rocket will get your books more attention than ever before!

Top Features

Publisher Rocket provides the essential tools for any author, allowing them to maximize their success on Amazon.

  • Authors can quickly and effortlessly find keywords that potential readers type into Amazon search bars, allowing them to craft titles and tags that reach maximum visibility.
  • The software allows authors to gain intel on what other authors are doing with their books in sales and categories so they can identify the trends most likely to lead to a successful launch.
  • Publisher Rocket makes finding profitable Amazon ad keywords simple by helping users target customers more effectively and accurately.

With Publisher Rocket’s robust features, authors can now access the right resources to reach their desired audience with improved accuracy.

Pricing

Publisher Rocket Pricing

Publisher Rocket is only $97 for lifetime access!

Bottom Line

With Publisher Rocket, you can find keywords that your readers are actually typing into Amazon, get insights into what other authors are doing and their own sales performance, and quickly discover the bestselling book categories. Additionally, using this platform allows you to quickly find profitable Amazon ad keywords to take your book to new heights.

Publisher Rocket is a unique paid writing software that every Amazon author will want to have in their collection of writing software programs!


What are Book Writing Software Tools?

Book writing software tools are computer programs that help you with your book-writing process. These tools range from simple editing software to complex outliners and research tools. Some creative tools even include templates to help you create the perfect look for your book as you go through the publishing process.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Book Writing Software Tools

writer at a coffee shop

What is the best software to write books?

To be honest, it all depends on what you’re looking for. The best book-writing software is Scrivener for word processing, Grammarly for checking grammar and spelling, NovelPad for story and plot development, and Atticus for book layout and formatting.

How do I decide which book-writing software to use?

There are many factors to consider when deciding on the best software to write a book. The first thing you need to think about is what type of book you’re writing. If you’re writing a novel, you might want to look for software with features like character development tools and storyboards. On the other hand, if you’re writing a non-fiction book, you might want to look for software that includes features like research tools and note-taking.

Once you know what type of book you’re writing, the next step is to determine your budget. There are many great book-writing software programs, ranging in price from around $50 to over $100. Look at your budget and find a software program that works for you!

books on the beach

What software do most authors use?

Many authors continue to use MS Word to write their stories. However, Google Docs is quickly catching up! Google Docs is web-based, free to use, and can integrate with many other grammar-checking and book-writing software programs.

Which free software is best for writing a book?

Google Docs is free (with a Gmail account) and is a fantastic online word-processing program for writing a book. Then, use FocusWriter to help you have a distraction-free writing experience!

a writer using book writing software on a laptop

Can I write a book using AI story-generator tools?

Yes, you can! With the right software tools, you can easily write a book using AI story generator tools. These tools are best for helping with ideas for plot, characters, and world-building when you are stuck. And while they may not be able to replace a human writer completely, they can definitely make the writing process easier and more efficient! AI novel writing tools are also amazing for helping you get over writer’s block!

What aspects do I need to include in my book?

When writing a book, there are many aspects to consider to create an engaging and enjoyable story. Some of the most critical elements are the plot, the theme, and the structure of your story. The plot is the sequence of events within the story, typically divided into three parts: rising action, falling action, and resolution.

The rising action is the portion of the story in which the conflict is introduced and developed, while the falling action is where the conflict is resolved. In addition to the plot, another essential element to consider is the characters. The characters are the people or animals that populate the story and play a crucial role in driving the plot forward.

write a book using software

Wrap Up

Now that you know a little more about book-writing software, it’s time to start exploring your options! Try out a few different programs and see which works best for you and your writing process.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your budget! There are plenty of excellent affordable book-writing software options out there.

If you are a screenwriter looking for a software program to help you format and write a fantastic screenplay, check out this article on the best screenwriting software tools for screenwriters!

Looking for more help with your writing? Check out these articles:

Best Laptops for Writers: The Future of Writing Technology

What is the Best Keyboard for Writers?

11 Best AI Novel Writing Software Tools

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