Tools & Resources
I’m often asked about the tools and resources I’ve found most helpful in my writing journey. I’m listing these items below alongside additional resources that come highly recommended in the online writing community.
(Note: This list is no longer actively maintained and was last updated in 2021. Some services may no longer be available and pricing may not be accurate.)
Apps & Services
Scrivener — Word Processor
This app is designed specifically for writing, organizing, and editing long-form projects such as novels, research papers, television scripts, and plays. Its interface combines a typical word processor with advanced file and folder organization; easy note, research, and reference tools; and more.
(Click here to learn more about why I love Scrivener!)
Available for Mac, PC, and iOS. $24 — $59 USD. Free trial available.
Novelize — Writing Software
Are you using the right tool to get your novel written? If you want a finished manuscript, you need intuitive novel writing software that keeps you on track and helps you write more novels. Writing a novel is not easy, but it should be simple. Novelize has all the features you need while minimizing distractions.
$9/month or $65/year. 17-day free trial available. Cancel anytime.
Plot Factory — Writing & Outlining App
Looking for a better tool to help you plan, organize, and pen your stories? Tailor-made for writers, Plot Factory is creative app that allows writers to create outlines, draft manuscripts, flesh out character details, take notes and so much more. It’s easy-to-use interface makes Plot Factory one of my favorite apps for writers.
Free plan available. Premium plans starting at $9/month or $90/year.
Milanote — Virtual Project Organization Tool
Create a virtual story hub that allows you to organize your research, ideas, characters, and outlines all in one place. Milanote’s unique corkboard design offers the ultimate birds-eye view of your projects.
Free plan available. Premium plan starts at $12.50/month or $120/year.
Grammarly — AI-powered Text Editor
From grammar and spelling to style and tone, the Grammarly app and browser extension help you eliminate errors in your writing and find the perfect words to express yourself. (Learn how I use Grammarly by clicking here.)
Available for Mac and PC. Free and premium versions available.
EditOutLoud — Text-to-Speech editing App
No time to edit? No problem. With EditOutLoud, you can listen to your draft while jogging, running errands, or cleaning house. Simply tap, type, or speak revision notes that sync to a Word doc to address them later.
Free with in-app purchases. Available for iOS and Android.
Vellum — Book Formatting
This app makes formatting your manuscript for print and ebook publication a cinch. Vellum also allows you to assemble boxsets, produce advanced reader copies, add store links, and export versions tailored to specific online distributors.
Available for Mac (with a PC workaround). $200 - $250 USD. No payment necessary until you’re ready to export.
Book Design Templates — Formatting
Quickly and easily create beautiful formatted books in Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or Adobe InDesign with formatting templates designed by a leading book formatter. Created with print and ebook industry standards in mind.
Choose from dozens of book templates. Licenses range from $59 - $249 USD.
Book Brush — Book Mock-up Generator
Create beautiful graphics for ad campaigns and social media sharing using Book Brush’s easy-to-use 3D Creator featuring 50+ book templates. Don’t forget Instant Mockups, a simple tool for creating over 200 real-life book images in minutes.
Free and paid tiers available. Use the code WELLSTORIED15 to save 15%!
Damonza — Cover Design & Formatting Service
Books are judged by their covers. Damonza’s team of award-winning cover designers and book formatters will help you translate your manuscript into a beautiful and professional book you can be proud to share with the word.
Pricing depends on your project, needs, and timetable.
Ebook Launch — Editing, Formatting, & Cover Design
Ebook Launch has you covered from cover to cover with their excellent & affordable editing, formatting, and cover design services for independent authors. Trusted by industry pros and a proud member of the Alliance for Independent Authors.
Pricing depends on your project, needs, and timetable.
MIBLART — Custom Cover Design, Formatting, & Author Marketing Materials
The designers at MiblArt want to help authors give readers a reason to open their books with beautiful cover designs for both print and ebook, as well as expert formatting and eye-catching author marketing materials.
Pricing: $150+ cover design, $50+ formatting, $40+ marketing materials
Author Packages — Proofing, Formatting, & Design
Author Packages believes that producing a high-quality book shouldn’t have to be daunting. That’s why they offer fantastic print and ebook cover designs, formatting, proofreading, and promotional merchandise design.
Pricing depends on your project, needs, and timetable.
99Designs — Cover Design & Formatting
At 99designs, you can browse a directory of freelance designers for all manner of projects, including print and ebook cover design and formatting. You can also create a design contest to receive dozens of submissions from designers worldwide, a great option if you’re wary about committing to one designer or formatter.
Contest pricing begins at $199; individual designers’ rates and services will vary.
Publisher Rocket — Amazon Data Analyzer
Increase your book sales using data! Publisher Rocket is an amazing piece of software that helps you identify key search terms, categories, and author sales rankings to determine how you can best position your work on Amazon.
BookFunnel — eBook Delivery App
Whether it’s delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel helps you deliver your book like a pro.
Pricing ranges from $10 - $25 / month. Annual pricing discounts available.
Reedsy — Book Production Marketplace
There’s no better place to compare and connect with freelance book production professionals than Reedsy. Give the marketplace a peek if you’re looking to hire an editor, cover designer, illustrator, formatter, publicist, etc.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) — Distributor
With Amazon’s POD (print-on-demand) and ebook distributor, you can publish in less than 48 hours, share your work with millions of worldwide readers, and earn up to 70% royalties — all with no upfront cost.
Draft2Digital — Ebook Distributor
If self-publishing is your dream, Draft2Digital can help you make that dream a reality by distributing your ebook to markets worldwide, including Amazon, Overdrive, Barnes & Noble, Tolino, Kobo, Scribd, and beyond.
No upfront fee to list your books. 10% fee on sales.
IngramSpark — Print & Ebook Distributor
Self-publish and distribute your book to over 39,000 bookstores, libraries, schools, and online distributors worldwide with Ingram Spark, including Amazon, Tolino, Overdrive, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, and beyond.
$25 ebook listing fee, $49 print listing fee, $49 print & ebook combined fee
Courses & Workshops
Writing for Life Workshops
From author and freelance editor C.S. Lakin come some of my favorite online video courses, including:
Emotional Mastery For Fiction Writers
Targeting Genre for Big Sales
The Four Foundational Pillars of Novel Structure
The Ten Key Scenes That Frame Up Your Novel
C.S. Lakin’s courses range in price from $17 - $197 and offer incredible insights, examples, and exercises to help you level up your writing life.
Take Action Author Plan Course
If you’re tired of dreaming about your literary goals and ready to start achieving them, then you’re going to love the Take Action Author Plan.
In this three-module course, independent author Amanda Zieba will teach you how to self-publish your books, tackle book marketing with confidence, and take your newfound career to the next level by thinking like an entrepreneur.
Course enrollment starts at $497. Additional one-on-one coaching is available.
Bryan Collins’ Writing Courses
Successful non-fiction author and Forbes contributor Bryan Collins shares practical advice and guidance for new writers and aspiring authors in his online writing courses, including:
Conquer Writer’s Block
Master Self-Editing
Write Your Book
Self-Publish a Book on Amazon
Bryan’s courses range in price from $17 — $697 USD.
