Top 10: Ebook Editing software for Linux

2025. Calibre improves support for 2024 and newer MTP based Kindles



ILM software Calibre recently improved its Kindle drivers that allows to work with 2024 and newer Kindles that have a new file system called MTP. Kindle MTP driver now allows to mark all books sent to Kindle as personal documents, send books to subfolders inside the root folder, generate page number files (APNX), import KFX files, send cover thumbnails to Kindle Scribe and increase the size of these thumbnails. Also new updates include ability to set up a tooltip template for every column, color swatch in the results of annotation browser, support for embedded fonts in HTML output, Fetch news button that shows recently downloaded news sources, improved performance of the Piper Neural text to speech engine


2023. Sigil now allows to edit Checkpoint descriptions



Free open-source EPUB editor Sigil has released a new version. In this release a variety of bug fixes and new features have been introduced. The update includes the ability for users to edit Checkpoint descriptions for clarity via the Checkpoint menu and to show the Checkpoint Change Log via the same menu. The release also includes an update to Hunspell 1.7.2 for improved spellchecking and the latest version of zlib-1.2.13 for enhanced security. Additionally, Sigil has moved away from using the OS system tmp folder for storing Sigil work-in-progress files and instead created a new “workspace” folder inside the Sigil Preferences folder. Finally, the update also includes the new feature of being able to preview and print contents of Sigil's Preview window. Sigil for Linux users are notified that MathJax 3.2.2+ is now required to render MathML in Sigil’s Preview Window.

2022. FocusWriter - distraction-free open-source writing software



FocusWriter is a writing program designed to minimize distractions and provide a simple, intuitive interface that allows writers to fully immerse themselves in their work. The program opens full-screen, hiding the operating system interface and revealing it only when hovering the mouse pointer to the edges of the screen. FocusWriter is compatible with Linux and Windows and has an optional portable mode. It supports various file formats, including TXT, basic RTF and basic ODT. Additional features such as timers, alarms, customizable themes, typewriter sound effects, real-time statistics, spell checking and daily goals make it a comfortable tool for writers. The interface is available in over 20 languages.


2019. Jutoh adds MOBI book generation



The latest version of Jutoh 2.92, has been released and it comes with a new feature that allows users to generate Kindle files using Kindlegen, Calibre, or None for Kindle-optimized Epubs. If the Kindle mode is set to None when compiling a Mobipocket configuration, Jutoh will automatically assume an Epub file should be generated. The Kindlegen download dialog has been updated and now users can set the Kindle file generation method and install it from a local archive. Additionally, options for word count have been moved to their own Options page in the Word Count dialog, including a new option called "Paragraphs to exclude" that allows users to exclude paragraph styles from the word count. Finally, developers added a "Remove paragraphs by style" option to the Document Cleanup dialog, which lets users remove specific styles of paragraphs, such as notes, from their book in one step.


2019. Manuskript adds dark theme on Windows and Linux



In a universe not entirely unlike our own, the free ebook editing software Manuskript has unveiled a new version, bristling with the sort of updates that might make even the most cynical Windows 10 or Linux user raise an eyebrow. Chief among the delights is a dark theme, ideal for late-night pondering or impressing your cat. Meanwhile, alternate spell checkers have been enabled, allowing users to second-guess their second-guessing, and non-English locales now graciously host the built-in English language, proving that diplomacy starts at home. The update also sees the "keep revisions" feature tactfully disabled by default (because, honestly, who needs that many drafts?), a vastly improved project save function with a "dirty" state tracker (don't ask), and window placements that finally seem to understand the concept of "being useful." Fixes abound as well, with template level names no longer embarking on unscheduled resets and compile/export stubbornly refusing to overwrite files without so much as a by-your-leave. Additional niceties include image tooltips behaving better and spellchecking taking a much-needed breather when you're typing at the end of a paragraph. Splendid. Simply splendid.