The reference shelf. Tools, platforms, and recommendations for every stage of the book writing and publishing process. This page is a living document — it gets updated as tools change and better options emerge.

Writing Tools

Free:

• Google Docs — simple, cloud-based, easy to share with editors. Good enough for most books.
• LibreOffice Writer — free desktop word processor. Handles long documents well.
• Notion — great for planning and outlining. Less ideal for long-form drafting but some people make it work.

Paid:

• Scrivener ($49 one-time) — the most popular dedicated book writing tool. Excellent for organizing chapters, research, and notes in one place. Worth it if you're writing multiple books.
• Atticus ($147 one-time) — writing and formatting in one tool. Exports directly to ebook and print-ready formats.
• Ulysses (subscription) — clean, distraction-free writing app for Mac/iOS.

AI Writing Assistants

• Claude (Anthropic) — strong at long-form content, follows nuanced instructions well. Good for generating drafts from detailed outlines and for revision feedback.
• ChatGPT (OpenAI) — versatile, widely used. Good for brainstorming, outlining, and first drafts.
• Gemini (Google) — integrated with Google Docs. Useful if your whole workflow is in Google's ecosystem.

How to use them well: AI is a first-draft machine, not a finished-product machine. The workflow that works: give it your outline, generate a draft, then rewrite it in your voice. Never publish AI output without heavy editing. Your readers can tell.

Formatting and Design

Book formatting:

• Atticus — the easiest option for formatting ebooks and print books without learning design software.
• Vellum (Mac only, $249) — beautiful output, very popular among self-published authors.