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Top 10: Software for Authors

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These programs help writers to organize book data, create properly formatted ebooks, images and covers. Some of the most popular paid and free Software for Authors are listed below.

See also: Top 10 Ebook Creation software

2025. Vellum improved page background and border setup



Mac-based ebook creation software Vellum has released the new version 3.9. It enables authors to apply background not only in the first page but to every page of content. You can add a vintage paper texture, a wintery scene or a sparkling star field, then choose whether to apply it to just one chapter or your entire book. Also the new version allows to set up artistic page borders, like Floral filigree or Flickering flames. Page Borders are your chance to color outside the lines. Both new functions are in the new Background and Border section of Styles. Besides, in the update color output has been overhauled to better match Adobe tools like InDesign. Full Page Image now includes controls for full bleed Image Scale. Tooltips for custom images now display original filename and image size


2025. Which writing software do famouse authors use?



Have you ever tried to write a book? I think it's not an easy task. You need to keep in mind a whole world and a whole story with a lot of events and characters. Perhaps, finishing a book and getting its ready for publication is already a deed. And still, there will be some fanatical reader who will make a list of "Top 10 inaccuracies and errors in the book XXX". Therefore, as in any other intellectual profession, book writers cannot work without special software and some life hacks known only to them, which they can do on a computer. Let's look at the programs that famous authors use to create their bestsellers. ***


2023. Top 5 software for book writers



Writing a book can be a daunting task, but with the right software, the process can be much easier and more efficient. Let's take a look at the top five software for book writers, each designed to make the process of writing a book more manageable. ***


2023. Reedsy adds cats to its Writing App



Famous writers - Stephen King, Doris Lessing, Jorge Luis Borges, Alice Walker and Mark Twain - all had a common source of inspiration: their cats. Now writers using Reedsy Book Editor can also enjoy working with the new "Reedsy Cats" feature. Switch to CAT mode after starting a new project and you'll see a cute cat on your virtual workspace, ready to keep you company as you reach your daily word count goals. These virtual kittens will sleep and groom themselves, just like real ones, while you focus on writing and boost your productivity.


2022. ProWritingAid enables Scrivener proofreading



Scrivener, that ever-so-clever toolkit for writers who enjoy organizing their thoughts into a dazzling labyrinth of digital index cards, does indeed come with its own spelling and grammar checkers for Mac and Windows. But, as with many well-meaning inventions, they occasionally fall short of perfection, like a robot that makes tea but forgets the biscuits. Enter the shining hero of text refinement: ProWritingAid. This splendidly meticulous grammar checker works harmoniously with Scrivener, both online and on desktop, offering a symphony of precise grammar suggestions. The process is delightfully simple—select a file in the Binder and voilà! ProWritingAid gets to work, displaying its corrections like a traffic controller with a penchant for good prose. Accept, ignore or banish the rule that triggered each suggestion; it’s all in your hands. Stumble across an unknown word marked as a spelling error? Add it to your personal dictionary and the word shall never be hassled again. Save your changes when you’re done and your project is polished, prim and properly sorted. Tea and biscuits optional.


2021. yWriter - free software for novel writers



In the great tapestry of writing tools, yWriter shines as a small yet spectacular hitchhiker's guide for novelists. Crafted with the precision of a Vogon constructor fleet (but far more pleasant), it offers an ingenious platform for wrangling your story into chapters and scenes without succumbing to the chaos of your own brilliance. Its interface is as welcoming as a well-stocked tea cupboard and as flexible as Zaphod Beeblebrox's moral compass, featuring word counts, character dossiers, location notes, and scene summaries to ensure you don’t lose track of where (or when) your plot’s space-time continuum is headed. For the procrastinatory-at-heart, there's even a goal-setting function to prod you into writing action—like Marvin being reluctantly inspired to save the day. It syncs seamlessly with Dropbox, so you can float your novel across devices without the intergalactic nightmare of misplaced progress. Oh, and for the truly mobile, the Android app lets you scribble genius on the go, whether you're at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe or just a local coffee shop. Delightfully, it’s free, though registering your copy is a lovely way to say thanks to this digital companion that’s almost as helpful as a towel.


2021. LivingWriter has introduced the Research Board



LivingWriter has introduced a new feature Research Board, which serves as a tool for researching historical events. For example, it could be used to explore the cultural characteristics of a specific region or the political and economic structure of a feudal society for a medieval fantasy novel. The Research Board provides authors with a dedicated space to work on their research, eliminating the need for universal features like "History Notes" or "Global Notes" or even a separate notebook or app. Now, whenever you find a good source, such as an article or document or simply have a thought or idea you want to develop further, you can click "Add New" in the Research Board and select the type of entry you want to add.


2021. Scrivener 3 for Windows gets simple and beautiful interface



The latest version of Scrivener 3 is now available on Windows, bringing with it a variety of new and improved features. The update includes a modernized and simplified interface, a redesigned and more flexible Compile feature and a full styles system in the text system. Other enhancements include the ability to view index cards on colored threads, improved ebook export and the addition of Writing History to track daily writing progress. Custom Metadata has also been improved, allowing for checkboxes, dates and list boxes to be added to the Inspector and outliner. Additional features include enhanced outlining, a new Quick Search tool, progress bars and a Dark Mode, among others. The Bookmarks feature also replaces Project Notes, References and Favorites, making it easier to access frequently used documents. Furthermore, the Dialogue Focus feature allows users to easily locate all dialogue within their text.


2020. Writing software Jutoh 3 adds storyboard planning tool and Cover Designer



Jutoh 3 has introduces new features to enhance the authors' creative process - such as a drag-and-drop planning tool, exercises and book writing tips. It also features a refreshed menu structure and user interface enhancements, making it faster and more intuitive. A new storyboard lets you arrange scene cards in rows dragging them with the mouse. Furthermore, Jutoh's cover designer now features undo/redo commands and tools to interactively move/resize objects. Other new features include the ability to use spell-check mode in the Inspector to view all unrecognized words at once and the ability to find content with specific formatting.


2019. Manuskript adds dark theme on Windows and Linux



Free ebook editing software Manuskript has released a new version. This update gives Windows 10 and Linux users access to the dark theme. The release also includes alternative spellcheckers support and updated interface translations. The English language is now displayed as optional in non-English locales. The save changes feature is now disabled by default it has been improved to track the "dirty" state of a project. The window layout has been optimized for improved usability. The update also fixes issues such as resetting new template level names and automatic file overwriting during compilation/export. Other improvements include improved handling of image suggestions and preventing spellchecking when typing a word at the end of a paragraph.

Author: Laura Candler
Laura Candler is a dedicated housewife and an aspiring writer. With a passion for storytelling, she has successfully published three fiction/romance books through Kindle Direct Publishing. Inspired by her journey, Laura aims to support and guide other aspiring authors by sharing her experiences. In addition to writing books, she also works as a columnist for various websites. Laura's commitment to her craft is evident in her personal blog, where she regularly updates readers with valuable tips and resources related to writing. Beyond her literary pursuits, Laura is an avid cat lover. You can contact Laura via email laura@bookrunch.com