About
Scrivener by Literature & Latte is the industry-leading writing software for novelists, screenwriters, academics, journalists, lawyers, and anyone tackling a long-form writing project. Since its launch in 2007, it has become the go-to tool for millions of writers—from aspiring authors to bestselling professionals. At its core, Scrivener uses an intuitive ring-binder metaphor: break your manuscript into sections of any size, arrange them in any order, and let Scrivener stitch them together seamlessly. Whether you prefer to outline every detail before writing or dive in and restructure later, Scrivener adapts to your workflow. Key capabilities include an integrated Corkboard and Outliner for visual story planning, a split-editor view for referencing research or earlier chapters while writing, and a comprehensive Compile feature that exports to Word, PDF, Final Draft, ePub, Kindle, and plain text with full formatting control. Research material—PDFs, images, web pages, and notes—lives inside the same project file, always accessible in a click. Scrivener is available on macOS, Windows, and iOS, enabling writers to work across desktop and mobile. It is used by novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, translators, and legal professionals. A 30-day free trial is available, after which a one-time purchase unlocks the full application—no subscription required.
Key Features
- Flexible Document Organization: Break your manuscript into sections of any size and reorder them with drag and drop, allowing you to write in any order and restructure at any stage of the process.
- Integrated Research Management: Store PDFs, images, web pages, and notes inside the same project file and open them in a split view right alongside your writing for easy reference.
- Corkboard & Outliner: Plan your story visually with index cards on a corkboard or use the structured outliner to see and rearrange your entire manuscript at a glance.
- Powerful Compile & Export: Compile your full project and export to Word, PDF, Final Draft, ePub, Kindle, or plain text with customizable formatting to meet any submission guidelines.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Available on macOS, Windows, and iOS, with Dropbox sync support so writers can continue their work seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices.
Use Cases
- Writing and organizing a novel manuscript from first concept through final draft
- Developing screenplays and scripts with structured scene-by-scene organization and character notes
- Drafting academic dissertations or theses with integrated research references and chapter management
- Creating non-fiction books by keeping chapters, interviews, source PDFs, and notes in a single project
- Long-form journalism and investigative reporting requiring structured research organization alongside the draft
Pros
- Purpose-Built for Long-Form Writing: Unlike general word processors, Scrivener is specifically designed for long projects, offering tools that address the unique organizational challenges of novels, scripts, and dissertations.
- Highly Flexible Workflow: Supports both heavy planners and discovery writers—outline first, draft freely, or mix both approaches without friction.
- All Research in One Place: Keeps notes, reference materials, and source documents inside the project, eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps while writing.
- One-Time Purchase Model: Unlike subscription-based writing tools, Scrivener requires a single payment, making it a cost-effective long-term investment for serious writers.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: Scrivener's extensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users and requires meaningful time investment to master its full capabilities.
- No Built-In AI Assistance: Scrivener does not include AI writing, generation, or suggestion features, which are increasingly common in competing modern writing tools.
- Interface Feels Dated: The user interface, particularly on Windows, can feel less polished compared to newer writing apps with more modern design aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of writing is Scrivener best suited for?
Scrivener excels at long-form writing projects including novels, screenplays, non-fiction books, academic dissertations, research papers, and legal documents. It's used by a broad range of writers from novelists and journalists to academics and lawyers.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, Scrivener offers a 30-day free trial downloadable from the Literature & Latte website. The trial provides full access to all features, giving you ample time to evaluate the software before purchasing.
What platforms does Scrivener support?
Scrivener is available on macOS, Windows, and iOS. The macOS and Windows versions are sold separately as one-time purchases, while the iOS version is available through the App Store.
What file formats can I export to from Scrivener?
Scrivener's Compile feature supports export to Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF, Final Draft (.fdx), ePub, Kindle (.mobi), RTF, and plain text, with extensive formatting controls to meet publisher or submission requirements.
Can I sync Scrivener across multiple devices?
Yes. Scrivener projects can be synced across Mac, Windows, and iOS devices using Dropbox, allowing you to pick up your manuscript on any supported device exactly where you left off.
