Honest editorial reviews of the tools our editors and contributing authors use every day. Some links are affiliate links — we only recommend tools we genuinely stand behind.
✦ Affiliate Disclosure: Marked links earn us a small commission at no cost to you ✦
Book Formatting
Vellum
Beautiful book formatting for indie authors
5/5 — Editors' Rating
Affiliate Link
What We Like
✓
Produces genuinely beautiful ebooks and print interiors
✓
One-time purchase — no subscription
✓
Incredibly fast: import a Word doc, format in minutes
✓
Handles series, front matter, and back matter automatically
✓
Generates all major ebook formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF) in one click
Mac users who want professional results without a learning curve
"Vellum is the closest thing to a magic button in indie publishing. If you're on a Mac and want professional-grade interiors without hiring a formatter, this is the tool. The one-time price pays for itself after a single book."
The writer's studio — from first draft to final manuscript
5/5 — Editors' Rating
Affiliate Link
What We Like
✓
Unrivalled manuscript organisation — chapters, scenes, research all in one place
✓
Corkboard and outliner views for plotting
✓
Compile feature exports to any format (Word, EPUB, PDF, Final Draft)
✓
Available on Mac, Windows, and iOS
✓
One-time purchase with free trial
Worth Knowing
–
Steep learning curve for new users
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Compile settings can be complex
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Mobile app is limited compared to desktop
Pricing
$59.99 one-time (Mac/Windows) · $23.99 (iOS)
Best For
Authors writing long-form projects: novels, non-fiction, series
"Scrivener is the industry standard for a reason. No other tool matches its combination of manuscript organisation, research management, and flexible export. The learning curve is real, but the payoff is a writing environment that genuinely adapts to how you think."
Distributes to 40+ retailers including Apple Books, Kobo, B&N, OverDrive
✓
Completely free — no upfront fees, no subscription
✓
Automated endmatter and metadata tools
✓
Universal Book Links (UBLs) via Books2Read
✓
Print-on-demand paperbacks available
✓
Excellent human support team
Worth Knowing
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10% cut is higher than going direct to some retailers
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Amazon distribution available but direct KDP is usually better for royalties
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Less granular sales reporting than some paid platforms
Pricing
Free — D2D takes 10% of retail price per sale only
Best For
Authors who want wide distribution without the admin overhead
"D2D is the smartest way to go wide. The free model means there's no risk, the distribution reach is unmatched, and the Books2Read tools add genuine marketing value. For any author not going KDP Select exclusive, D2D is a no-brainer."
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, The Publishing Times earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend tools our editors genuinely use and believe in. Full disclosure policy at /affiliate-disclosure.