This is a list of creative writing and self-publishing tools, apps and websites + a few extra that I thought would help!

Online Writing Environments

1. Google Docs – I wrote a whole post about how writers can use Google Docs.
2. Noisli – noise generator and distraction-free writing (with Markdown preview).
3. Workflowy – a beautifully simple web/mobile app for outlining and list-making.
4. Obsidian – a powerful app for writing, research and linking ideas, based on the Zettelkasten method.
5. The Most Dangerous Writing App – if you stop writing, your words disappear…
6. Plot Factory – a great online writing environment that helps you organise and write your story. I particularly like the text-to-speech function which reads your work out loud to you.
7. Milanote – Despite the 100-card limit, I really like Milanote’s clean UI for brainstorming and moodboarding.
8. Plottr – An app specifically designed for plotting stories.

Online Dictionaries for Writers

1. Behind the Name – my favourite resource to research name meanings, and find character names.
2. Webster’s 1913 – a nice vintage alternative to modern dictionaries, especially useful for historical fiction.
3. Wordnik – one of my favourite tools for discovering and collecting words!
4. OneLook – a very powerful search engine that can use various expressions and sort modes, and searches a huge range of dictionaries.

AI Tools for Writers

While it can be fun to play around with AI tools and they can certainly help you come up with ideas, and perhaps even locate some information, don’t expect too much of them just yet…

1. Perplexity.ai – this AI search tool has replaced Google for most of my web searches.
2. Squibler.io – an interesting online AI-driven word processor that can generate outlines, text, and even images and video.
3. Midjourney – a prompt-driven AI image generator that can help you visualise scenes, characters, objects, and new worlds.
4. ChatGPT – I often ask ChatGPT for idea lists to get the ball rolling on a subject, though I feel it helps me most with language learning.
5. Claude.ai – sometimes offers more nuanced and interesting answers than ChatGPT.

Online Writing Courses

1. Masterclass Writing Classes* – Masterclass offers writing classes from many famous authors, including: James Patterson, Margaret Atwood, R.L. Stine, Malcolm Gladwell, Judy Blume, and Aaron Sorkin.
2. The One Page Novel – my course on how to plot your novel on one A4 page.
3. How to be the Heroine of Your Own Story – my course on how to develop your character (and yourself) on one page.
4. How to Lose Yourself in a World of Your Own Invention – my online worldbuilding course.
5. Learn Scrivener Fast* – Scrivener is an incredibly powerful piece of software, but if you’re having trouble getting started with it, this course can help!

Online Writing Communities

1. MyWriteClub – a site for communal writing sprints and word tracking.
2. 4theWords – a fun, gamified writing community where you battle monsters as you write, complete quests and earn crystals.
3. Wordwar.io – word war chatrooms from the creator of Write or Die.

Services for Writers

1. Tim Seabrook Proofreading – Tim has helped me proofread for the Lady Writers League, and  if you’re looking for a meticulous proofreader, you can fill in this form to request his help.
2. Amy Taylor Accounting – Amy and her team have been my accountants for years, and if you’re a UK writer who’s overwhelmed by the very thought of accounts and taxes, I recommend seeking their advice.

iOS Apps for Writers

1. Scrivener for iOS – this is hands-down the best and most beautiful iOS word processor.
2. Goodnotes – this is a great app for importing PDFs (such as writing worksheets) and handwriting over them.

Mac Apps for Writers

1. Scrivener – excellent for organising (and reorganising) longer projects. If you use Scrivener for novel writing, you might like to download my One Page Novel Template.
2. Obsidian – a versatile writing and organisation app that you might like if you use the Zettelkasten method.
3. OmmWriter – a beautiful, calm writing environment.

Stationery

1. Galen Leather – beautiful leather traveler’s notebooks, pen cases, notebook covers and more. Receive 10% off your order when you use this referral link.
2. CultPens – I order my fountain pens and ink from CultPens when I’m in the UK. You can get 10% off your order by using my CultPens referral link.
3. NFP Design – fountain pen storage solutions I love.
4. Sepia Accessories – I love their brass memento mori series.

☞ I sometimes post about my favourite stationery.

Other Tools

1. NordVPN* – I use a VPN all the time in order to learn languages, and access important sites while abroad. You can get 3 months free on a yearly plan by using my referral link.
2. Dropbox* – pair Dropbox with Scrivener’s auto-save and you won’t lose another word. Be sure to backup to several services/locations to be extra safe!
3. Youtube Transcript – this tool allows you to extract Youtube transcripts. I use it when I’m studying languages, or when I want to quote a speaker.

PDF Tools

1. DocHub – PDF editor that you can add to your Google Drive contextual menu, or as a Chrome app.
2. SmallPDF – some fantastic PDF conversion and compression tools!
3. PDFEscape – this tool makes me SO HAPPY! You can upload your PDFs and quickly and easily turn them into forms. Love it.
4. Create Booklet – this is the tool I use to create my exercise journals for the Lady Writers League. It’s powerful and well-designed and saves so much hassle!

Images

1. Firmbee – a collection of public domain mockups to use for marketing your books.
2. Unsplash – gorgeous public domain photos to use in your blog posts, book covers, or social media graphics.
3. Pixabay – a great resource for discovering public domain images.
4. Canva – an online image editor that has pre-made templates for Kindle ebook covers.
5. Pixelcut – an excellent set of basic image editing tools, such as background removal and upscaling.

Web Sites

1. WordPress – my site runs on WordPress. I love it, although it can be a bit intimidating if you aren’t very tech-savvy.
2. SiteGround* – my web host of choice. Their premium support is top notch!

Links with * are affiliate or referral links. I never recommend products unless I use and love them myself.