Scrivener Review: Is it the Best Writing Tool for Authors?

| | March 21, 2024

Are you an author looking for the best writing tool to help you organize your projects, drafts, and ideas? Look no further than Scrivenerthe ultimate writing tool for authors.

Scrivener is a comprehensive writing software that allows you to structure, organize, and write your projects with ease.

Whether you’re a novelist, screenwriter, poets, or just looking to be more productive in your writing, Scrivener has something for everyone. 

In this Scrivener review, we're going to take a look at the features of Scrivener and how it can help make your writing process more efficient and productive.

Let's get started.

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Scrivener Review

What is Scrivener: An Overview

Scrivener Literature Latte

Scrivener is a word processing and project management application for writers of all kinds that allows you to break your work down into manageable pieces, move these pieces around, and view your work as a whole or as individual sections.

It is popular for a number of reasons, but one of the main reasons is that it makes it easy to write eBooks.

With Scrivener, you can easily compile your work into a single file that can be exported as an EPUB or MOBI file, which can then be uploaded to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or any other eBook publishing platform.

Scrivener also has a number of features that make it ideal for writers who are working on longer projects, such as novels, short-stories or non-fiction books. If you want to learn more, check out this article - How to use Scrivener to write novels.

With Scrivener, you can easily keep track of your research, notes, and outlines, and you can view your work in a variety of different ways, including as a traditional outline, as a corkboard with index cards, or as a mind map.

It also allows you to set a word count goal for each day, week, or month. This is helpful for keeping track of your progress and staying on schedule.

Scrivener offers a in-built thesaurus that allows you to quickly find synonyms for words. This is helpful for improving your writing and expanding your vocabulary. And there are many other popular features that we will explore in the next section.

All-in-all, as an author, if you're looking for a word processing and project management application that will make it easy to create eBooks, Scrivener could be a great option for you.

You can try Scrivener for free by joining the 30 day trial using the link below. 

Why Use Scrivener?

Scrivener has been designed specifically for writers of long texts such as novels and research papers. It is not a general-purpose program like Microsoft Word—if you just need to write a letter or a short story, Word will probably be better for you.

But if you are working on something longer, Scrivener will save you a lot of time and headaches.

For example, with Scrivener, you can easily create an overview of your work with its project outline feature, which makes it easy to see the big picture of your work, and its binder feature, which compiles everything into an organized flow of documents. You can also work on multiple sections at once and easily switch between them.

Here are some of the reasons why you might want to use Scrivener for your next writing project:

1. Outline and structure your work before you start writing

Scrivener makes it easy to create an outline of your work before you start writing. You can create chapters and sections, and then drag and drop them to rearrange the order. This is a great way to get a bird's eye view of your work and make sure everything is in the right place before you start writing.

2. Write in any order you want

With Scrivener, you can write in any order you want. If you get an idea for a scene that belongs in the middle of your story, you can just create a new document and write it. Then, when you're ready, you can drag and drop it into the correct place in your outline.

3. View your research while you write

Scrivener lets you keep all of your research—notes, images, web pages, etc.—in one place, and then view it side-by-side with your writing. This is great for writing papers or novels based on real events, because you can quickly refer to your research without leaving your document.

4. Compile your work into different formats

When you're finished writing, Scrivener makes it easy to compile your work into different formats, such as PDF, Word, ePub, and more. This is handy if you need to submit your work to different places, or if you want to create an eBook or print book.

5. Collaborate with others

Scrivener makes it easy to collaborate with others on your eBook. With Scrivener's "Share" feature, you can invite others to read and comment on your work-in-progress. This makes it easy to get feedback on your eBook, and makes collaboration simple.

Key Features of Scrivener

Below I have mentioned some of the best features of Scrivener which makes it one of the best eBook software in the industry. Let's check them out.

Scrivener Corkboard Synopses

Source: Scrivener

  • Organization and Structure: Scrivener helps you keep your projects organized and structured. It offers a powerful hierarchical structure that lets you structure your book into sections and chapters in a way that makes it easy to find and reference information when needed.
  • Word Processor: It also includes a powerful word processor that lets you write and edit your work, format it with fonts and styles, insert images, and also includes a spellchecker, and a thesaurus.
  • Research: Scrivener has a handy research tools that allow you to store quotes, notes, web clippings, and other research material in one place.
  • Corkboard Mode: It allows writers to visually organize their ideas and plot points for easier manipulation and editing. It is especially helpful for writers who work on longer-form projects like novels or nonfiction books.
  • Outline View: This feature helps you easily create an outline of your book that you can use to plan, organize, and shape your work. This feature is great for authors who want to get an overview of their book before they get too deep into the writing process.
  • Compatibility: Scrivener writing software is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, and can export to almost any other file format, making it easy to share your book with others.

Scrivener Pricing Plans

Scrivener Pricing

Scrivener has three pricing plans: a 30 days free trial and a one-time purchase ($59.99 each) for both Mac OS and Windows OS. 

The free trial allows you to use all of Scrivener's features for 30 days. After that, you can continue using the program purchasing a license to use Scrivener indefinitely.

Or you can purchase Scrivener for both Mac OS and Windows at a discounted bundle price of $95.98. You'll receive separate licenses for each platform so you will be able to use both the version of Scrivener.

Pros and Cons of Scrivener

When it comes to writing software, Scrivener is often considered the go-to choice for professional writers. But like any tool, it has its pros and cons. Here are five of them:

Pros

  1. Multiple functionalities: Scrivener is a powerful program that offers a plethora of tools and options for writers to create their work. From outlining to research management, this program has something for everyone.
  2. Progress tracking: Scrivener allows you to track your progress, which is great for writers who prioritize productivity and want to stay on top of their writing goals.
  3. Templates: The program offers a selection of pre-made templates that makes writing a breeze. These templates are designed to help writers get started with their work without needing to start from scratch.
  4. Organization: Scrivener enables writers to organize their thoughts and ideas in a way that traditional word processors don't. With its corkboard and outlining mode, writers can easily see an overview of their work and make adjustments.
  5. Customization: Scrivener allows users to customize their writing environment to suit their specific needs. This can range from customizing fonts to changing the layout of the interface.

Cons

  1. Steep learning curve: Scrivener is a multifunctional tool that can take some time to learn. This learning curve might be off-putting for some writers who don't have the time or patience to learn a new tool.
  2. Lack of real-time collaboration: Scrivener does not offer real-time collaboration features, which can be a drawback for writing teams who need to collaborate in real-time.

Ultimately, Scrivener is an excellent writing tool for professional writers who are looking for advanced features and more organizational capabilities than what traditional word processors have to offer. 

While it may come with a learning curve and a price tag, the benefits that it provides are worth the investment for those who use it regularly.

Scrivener Review: Wrapping Up

Scrivener is the ultimate writing tool for authors, providing the perfect platform to create, organize, and edit your work. 

Whether it's a novel, screenplay, blog post, or anything else, Scrivener has the features you need to get the job done.  gives you the freedom to create whatever type of document you need.  

It makes it easy to organize your work. You can easily move around chapters, scenes, and other elements in your document. You can also divide your work into folders, which makes it easier to keep track of your progress. 

With its distraction-free writing mode, you can easily block out the rest of the world and focus on getting your words down on the page. It even has a built-in timer, so you can keep track of your progress and stay on track.

Scrivener provides a simple and intuitive user interface. It’s easy to learn and use, and you can quickly get up and running with it. Plus, it’s available for both Mac and Windows computers, so you can work wherever you are.

I would recommend you to sign up for the 30 day free trial and try its premium features to figure out whether it is the right tool for your writing needs.

Sign up using the link given below and get started with Scrivener.

Scrivener offers a 30 day free trial to first-time users. You can join the free trial and explore all the premium features before upgrading to the paid plans. No credit card is required to join the free trial. You can even cancel your free trial any time.

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Deepak Choudhary

Deepak Choudhary is the founder of Technicalwall.com. He is a Blogger and an Affiliate Marketing Expert. He publishes useful articles for newbie bloggers related to the following topics - Affiliate Marketing, Email Marketing, Software Reviews, Software Tutorials, Blogging, WordPress, SEO, Passive Income, and more.