Start Your Story | Grow Your Brand

two Paulo Coelho books on table

Resources

Writing & Planning Tools

  • Scrivener – The ultimate software for drafting and organizing novels.

  • Plottr – Visual plotting software for outlining with ease.

  • Notion (Writing Dashboard) – Build a digital creative hub for projects, goals, and notes.

  • Grammarly / ProWritingAid – For editing and stylistic improvement.

  • Campfire Write – A beautifully designed platform for organizing worlds, timelines, and characters.

  • Dabble – Cloud-based writing software with built-in plotting and notes.

  • Milanote – A creative visual workspace for mind maps, mood boards, and scene planning.

  • Google Docs + Drive – Ideal for collaborative writing and version control.

  • Atticus – Professional formatting and publishing software for indie authors.

  • Evernote – Capture snippets, dialogue ideas, and world details on the go.

  • BookBolt - An all-in-one platform that lets you research, design, and publish low- or no-content books on Amazon KDP.

  • Gamma - Best AI & Creative Tools for Writers, Creators, and Digital Entrepreneurs

Inspiration & Idea Generation

  • Reedsy Plot Generator – Creative prompts for plot, character, and setting.

  • Pinterest Boards for Writers – Curate visual inspiration for worldbuilding and mood.

  • StoryGraph / Goodreads – Track what you read and discover genre trends.

  • Brainstormer App – Spin random story ideas or creative challenges to spark imagination.

  • Obsidian – Connect notes and worldbuilding ideas using visual “idea webs.”

  • Story Shack Story Idea Generator – Endless random prompts across genres.

  • Writing Prompts Subreddit – Find user-generated prompts to challenge your creativity.

  • Podcasts like “The Creative Penn” or “Well-Storied” – Get weekly writing motivation and insight from industry experts.

  • MasterClass Writing Courses – Learn from celebrated authors like Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, and Roxane Gay.

  • AI Tools (ChatGPT, Sudowrite, Claude) – For brainstorming, character interviews, and idea expansion (use ethically).

Community & Growth

  • Substack – Start sharing your words and essays through newsletters.

  • Wattpad – Connect with readers and publish short works online.

  • Authors Guild / Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) – Professional communities for publishing guidance.

  • Scribophile – Exchange feedback and join writing workshops online.

  • Critique Circle – A structured critique community with genre-based feedback.

  • NaNoWriMo – Annual writing challenge and global author community for accountability.

  • Discord Writing Communities – Join focused writing channels for peer support and writing sprints.

  • Facebook Writing Groups – Find genre-specific or self-publishing groups to learn from and collaborate with.

  • Reedsy Discovery – Showcase your book to curated readers and reviewers.

  • BookTok & Instagram Writing Communities – Connect with writers, promote your work, and share your creative process.

Marketing & Publishing Tools

  • Hostinger – a global web hosting platform offering affordable hosting, domains, and AI-powered website-building tools for individuals and small businesses

  • Hostinger Horizons - Your next chapter starts at Hostinger Horizons. Launch farther. Dream bigger

  • Canva – Design beautiful social graphics, book promo assets, and planner pages.

  • Mailerlite / ConvertKit – Build your email list and automate your author newsletters.

  • Publisher Rocket – Research keywords and categories for Amazon success.

  • Books2Read – Create universal book links for every retailer.

  • Draft2Digital / IngramSpark / KDP – Trusted platforms for self-publishing and distribution.

  • Book Brush – Design professional marketing visuals for your book covers and social media.

  • Metricool / Buffer – Plan and schedule your author marketing content with ease.

  • ThriveCart / Payhip – Sell digital products and eBooks directly to your readers.

  • KDSpy - A browser extension research tool that lets authors analyse Amazon Kindle categories, track competitors, estimate book sales/revenue, and uncover profitable keywords and niches

Research & Reference

  • MSWL (Manuscript Wishlist) – Search agent preferences before querying.

  • QueryTracker – Organize and track your agent submissions.

  • Publisher’s Marketplace – Research deals, agents, and publishing trends.

  • Reedsy Blog – Industry tutorials, publishing tips, and craft guidance.

Affiliate Disclaimer:
Everleaf Media participates in affiliate programs with selected partners. This means some links may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. These commissions help support the creation of free resources and guides for authors - and we only recommend products that align with our values, quality standards, and creative mission.