7+ Best Book Writing Software Programs for Authors (2024)
What Are the Best Software Programs for Writing a Book?
- If you need to format and organize your book, check out the specialized book-writing program, Scrivener (a one-time cost of $49.99).
- If you want to edit your book for style, tone, and grammar, check out ProWritingAid. It has a great free version (this is likely enough for most people), or a paid plan at $30/month (less if you buy it yearly).
- When you need assistance with writing your non-fiction book, give Jasper AI a try (starts at $39.99 per month – it’s also useful when you need copywriting to help you market your book!).
- If you want some AI assistance with really learning how to market and sell your book on Amazon, look into Publisher Rocket (one-time cost of $97).
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.
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 are the Best Book Writing Software Programs?
Scrivener
Scrivener
Scrivener is a great software for writers who need some assistance with organizing their characters and plot.
It's an affordable program that is designed to be a word processor for book and novel writers. I like that it allows you to easily keep track of your characters, plot points, and worldbuilding facts all in one place.
It's great for writers who are writing multiple novels in a series, as it allows you to easily go back and check your facts from previous stories.
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
- Organizes Your Ideas: Scrivener keeps all your thoughts, research, and chapters in one place.
- Easy to Move Stuff Around: You can easily change the order of chapters or scenes.
- Set Goals: Scrivener lets you set word count goals so you know how much to write each day. It’s like having a friendly coach cheering you on!
- Template Magic: There are special templates for whatever you’re writing, whether it’s a novel or a screenplay.
- No Distractions: A fullscreen mode hides other things on your computer, so you can focus just on writing.
- NaNoWriMo Word Count Update: A new feature in the Project menu helps you track your word count during National Novel Writing Month.
- Improved List Formatting: The “Reset Indents to Defaults” command restores list formatting to default settings, ensuring consistency.
- Enhanced Stability: Recent updates have fixed bugs that could cause crashes, making the software more reliable.
Pricing
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
ProWriting Aid
ProWritingAid is the best editing and grammar-checking software for creative writers!
It checks for all the usual grammar and spelling errors, and it can also help you re-write your text to adjust for tone of voice or style, and can look for overused words in your writing (and will suggest alternatives!).
It also gives you one AI critique of a chapter or text each day (Beta mode).
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
- Spelling and Grammar Checker: ProWritingAid finds and corrects spelling mistakes and grammar errors.
- Improves Your Style: The software suggests better words and phrases to make your writing sound more engaging and clear.
- Checks for Repeated Words: ProWritingAid alerts you when you use the same word too often.
- Works Everywhere: You can use ProWritingAid in various programs such as Word, Google Docs, and even in email.
- AI Sparks: Offers over 20 tools to help you generate ideas, improve readability, and save time. With Sparks Edit, you can quickly find the right words and fix repetitions. Sparks Continue assists in expanding word definitions and adding analogies.
- ProWritingAid Collaboration: Share your writing and work together in real-time. Named cursors show who is editing, and you can highlight text to add comments directly. Control access by assigning view, comment, or edit permissions.
Pricing
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
Grammarly is fantastic for writers as it checks for almost everything you need to have on point - spelling, grammar, passive voice sentence constructions, and it even has a built-in AI program to help you rewrite certain sentences.
It's a great all-around tool to help you make sure your writing is as error-free as it can be.
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
- Spelling and Grammar Corrections: Grammarly catches spelling and grammar mistakes.
- Style and Tone Suggestions: The tool offers suggestions to enhance your writing style and ensure your tone is appropriate for your audience.
- Plagiarism Checker: Grammarly checks your writing against other texts to ensure it’s original. This is important for anyone who wants to publish their work!
- Easy to Use: The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to understand and apply suggestions.
- Versatility Across Platforms: Grammarly can be used with various writing applications, including Word, Google Docs, and email, making it convenient for writers across different platforms.
- You can also get a premium version of Grammarly, which gives you more features, such as advanced grammar checking, vocabulary enhancement, and plagiarism detection.
- Personalized Voice Profile: Grammarly now creates a unique voice profile for you, helping your writing sound more like you.
- Generative AI Assistance: You can use AI to help compose and rewrite text, generate ideas and outlines, and reply in a personalized voice.
- Improved Plagiarism Checks: Make sure that your work is original with enhanced plagiarism detection across various platforms.
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!).
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
Jasper AI is the hands-down best AI writing assistant for creatives who need help with marketing and copywriting. It's a fantastic AI writing tool that uses templates rather than prompts. This makes it much easier to use for anyone who is new to writing with AI!
I love using Jasper's templates for emails, blog post paragraphs, and landing pages!
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.
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.
- All Jasper plans include free use of Jasper’s AI Art Generator!
- Create, Save, and Reuse Tasks: You can now create, save, and reuse tasks within the Jasper Editor, making your workflow more efficient.
- Style Guide via API: Apply your style guide during API generations for consistent content across different platforms.
- Better Image Functionality: Improved image capabilities in the Document Editor allow for richer content creation.
- Workspace AI Output History: Admins can now view all AI outputs within a workspace, providing better oversight for teams.
Pricing
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 create 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 instead! It’s the best creative writing AI software on the market right now!
Google Docs
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
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 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
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
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
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 has a 14-day free trial.
If you like this book-writing software after the free trial, you can pay $15 monthly or just $120 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
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
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 has two levels of pricing:
Freemium Version: Get access to all their free tools!
Lifetime Use (Forever): $99.50
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.
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 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.
Final Thoughts
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!
Common Questions (FAQs)
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?
Choosing the right book-writing software involves a couple of key considerations. First, think about the type of book you’re working on. For a novel, features like character development tools and storyboards can be useful. If it’s a non-fiction piece, you might want software equipped with research and note-taking capabilities.
What software do most authors use?
Many authors continue to use MS Word to write their stories. However, both Scrivener and Google Docs are quickly catching up! Google Docs is web-based, free to use, and can integrate with many other grammar-checking and book-writing software programs. Scrivener is a paid tool that is dedicated to book writers. It’s got tons of fantastic tools for writers – I find it much more useful than Google docs for book writing!
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, 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 drive the plot forward.
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