5 Tools for Authors That Cost Nothing

I use or tried a lot of apps and programmes. It’s one of my great pleasures in life but, and this is a big but, I waste a lot of time, searching for the magic wand to make writing easier and quicker. It’s tricky to definitively say what is the “the absolute best” as productivity tools are very personal, but here are 5 Tools for Authors, highly regarded, free, and widely used options authors and writers find invaluable:

The 5 Tools for Authors

1. Google Docs

A cloud-based word processor that allows for real-time collaboration, easy sharing, and access from any device. It’s excellent for writing, editing, and organising written work.

Why it’s great for authors

• Collaboration features are fantastic for co-writing or getting feedback.
• Automatic saving ensures you never lose your work.
• Accessibility from anywhere, is a huge plus.
• docs.google.com

2. Grammarly

A writing assistant that checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. The free version offers valuable basic corrections.

Why it’s great for writers

• Helps catch errors and improve clarity.
• Provides explanations for corrections, aiding in learning.
• Boosts confidence in written work.
• URL: grammarly.com

3. Trello

A visual project management tool that uses Kanban-style boards to organize tasks and workflows.

Why it’s great for authors

• Helps organise writing projects, outlines, and deadlines.
• Visual interface makes it easy to track progress.
• Can be used for planning content calendars or managing multiple projects.
• URL: trello.com

4. Evernote

A note-taking and organisation app that allows you to capture ideas, research, and notes in various formats.

Why it’s great for authors

• Excellent for storing research, inspiration, and snippets.
• Organises notes with tags and notebooks.
• Can be used for outlining and planning.
• URL: evernote.com

5. Google Calendar:

A time management and scheduling calendar.

Why it’s great for authors

• Helps to set writing schedules, deadlines, and plan out writing time.
• It is very useful in managing time, and planning out writing sessions.
• It is accessible from many devices.
• URL: calendar.google.com

Research Based Tools

There are other ways other than these 5 tools for author and it involves doing your own research. An important factor for discoverability are the words you use in your titles, subtitles, which genre you choose and what is selling at the moment. Incorporating these practices in your advertising and marketing can increase your reach and sales too.

Important Considerations

While these 5 author tools offer free versions, some also have paid plans with more advanced features. However, the best tool for you will depend on your individual needs and writing style. What are YOUR go-to author productivity tools? Share your favorites in the comments below! We’d love to hear what helps you stay on top of your writing game.

Further Information

• There is a lot of data available in the report called the Big Indie Data Drop and is a must read for anyone involved or interested in self-publishing. Download their comprehensive report to get up to speed on all matters self-publishing.
• Join one of the many social media groups to get insights, support and reviews on your writing. For example, Facebook groups, Reddit, Goodreads.