Top Tools for Romance Authors 2025
Table of Contents
If you’ve been on my email list for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a tool junky. I’m always looking for the tools and resources that will make tasks easier and save me time.
There are so many moving parts to writing, publishing, and marketing romance books. You can spend more time doing busywork than writing, which can get frustrating.
Here are some of my favorite tools, plus a few others I know other authors swear by.
Research Organization
NotebookLM
I’m digging Google’s Notebook LM because of how easy it is to save any type of content (webpage, uploaded PDF, video etc), and then use the Chat feature for help in pulling out the information needed in research and saving it as a note. For example, let’s say you’re researching an occupation. You can add your research sources (e.g. webpage link, PDF doc, videos, etc), and then ask Chat questions you want to know about that job. It scans the sources and provides the info for you. Then you can save those results as a note.
I like this option over ChatGPT because you can vet your sources to make sure you’re getting good info.
It’s free!
Google/FireFox/Bing
You can use any search engine to research. I use Google.
Source
I often go directly to specific websites to learn what I need to know for my books. If I want to see examples of houses in a specific city, I’ll use Zillow.
Books
I have a ton of books for research. Books on faeries or witches. Books on pirates. Books about Appalachia history, culture, and folklore. Currently I have bought several books on New Orleans, and Cajun and Creole history, culture, and language. If you don’t have the budget to buy them, check your library. Even if they don’t have a book, they should be able to get it through interlibrary loan.
Writing Tools
Word
Yep, I use MS Word to write. I’ve tried others, and always end up back in Word. I suppose it’s a situation of being an old dog and not able to learn a new trick. What I like about Word is:
- I know it.
- Comments: When I write or revise and need to leave myself a note, I use the comment feature. It’s easy to go straight to the areas I need to address.
- Spell/Grammar Improved: The editing features have improved over the years. Click the Editor icon and indicate your writing style (formal, causal, etc) for an overall score. Plus you can check specific editing areas such as spelling and grammar, and under refinements, you can check for clarity (e.g. passive sentences), inclusiveness, conciseness, etc (the options here change depending on writing style selected).
- With Microsoft 365 (business), I can easily save to One Drive and access on other devises.
- Dictation built in: Back in 2021, I developed a repetitive strain injury in my fingers making it painful to type. At the time, Dragon Naturally Speaking was my only option for quality dictation. Now Word has it built in.
- Transcription: I prefer to dictate into a recorder while on a walk. Again, originally I had to use Dragon (the expensive version) to have the transcription option. Word can now transcribe up to 30 minutes of MP3 audio.
NovelCrafter
Similar to Scrivener, NovelCrafter helps you organize all the elements of your book in one place. What I like about it over Scrivener is that it isn’t overwhelming. I also like that all the features are integrated for easy reference during writing. NovelCrafter offers a Codex where all the information about characters, locations, items (e.g. magical stuff), and more including plot summary can be stored. You can outline and view in various formats, have chapter summaries for easy reference, notes (Snippets) and NovelCrafter also offers an AI element for when you need brainstorming or other help (it connects through Open Router).
You can write in Novel Crafter and it’s easy to create Acts, Chapters, and Scenes. With your codex to the left and your summary to the right of the writing space, you have all your reference material for easy access.
But where it gets interesting is that if I mention something in the book text, like a character, that is in the codex, the word is highlighted and I can hover it to reference what I have about it in the codex.
Further, the codex and chapter summaries are integrated into the book project so if you need for brainstorming, it’s Chat feature knows the reference materials so that it gives you ideas based on the project.
While I still write in Word, I like NovelCrafter for setting up my book bible and plot summaries. Since it’s online, I can access it from multiple devices as well.
Novel Crafter is $4 to $20 per month depending on the features you want. For AI use, you’ll need to use Open Router, which depending on the LLMs you use, can have an extra fee.
Learn more at NovelCrafter
Scrivener
Scrivener is a long-standing writer’s tool that helps you organize your writing project in one place. From outlines to research, you can keep it all in the same place as your writing. Plus, you can find free romance templates for Scrivner at Gwen Hayes or Jami Gold’s websites. WWH Members can access a Scrivener romance template in the Freebie area of the site.
I own Scrivener but don’t use it, only because my writing process doesn’t quite fit with it.
Scrivener is a one-time cost of $59, which is a great deal for everything it does. The only downside is that it’s computer-based, so switching between devices requires you to save your Scrivener file in the cloud for access to the other device.
Learn more at Scrivener
Digital recorder
You can use your phone to record, but I use a small Sony Recorder that has the USB plug built in. I record on my walk, and then plug the recorder into my laptop. Then I can use Word to transcribe right into my story document!
Editing Tools
Like I said up in the Word section, its editing features are improved, but still aren’t as robust as some other options.
AutoCrit
After revision in Word, I use AutoCrit to do my final editing. AutoCrit is a fiction-focused writing and editing tool. Here are the features I like best:
- Story Analyzer will analyze your novel overall or chapter by chapter, and provide you with an score and summary of your book. Plus it gives information about conflict, characters, contradictory events, timeline, world building and more. It’s helpful in identifying developmental edits.
- Backwards Blueprint is a newer feature that will analyze what you’ve already written and reverse outline. This can be helpful if you’ve been pantstering, and need an overall assessment of your premise and plot to move forward.
- Reports: Autocrit evaluates your book based on your genre, and can access and help you improve:
- Pacing and Momentum
- Dialogue including dialogue tags and adverbs in dialogue
- Strong writing including use of adverbs, passive sentences, tense consistency, showing vs telling, cliches, redundancies, and filler words. This assessment alone can help you improve the quality of your writing.
- Word choice, such as varying names and pronouns, varying sentence starters (I use But, So, and And too much), POV consistence, descriptions, power words and more.
- Repetition, such as repeated words, and word or phrase frequency
- Readability through metrics like Flesch-Kincaid grade level, Dale Chall readability for fiction, and complex words
Like all other writing and editing tools out there, Autocrit offers AI features in it’s Inspiration Studio, where you can get help with “What Happens Next,” improve emotional power with Change the Mood, a contextual thesaurus, and help with brainstorming.
AutoCrit offers notecards and boards. You can insert notes into your text through a bookmark feature.
A new feature I haven’t tried is its Marketing Tool that can help you find your audience, pre-validate story ideas, and assist in copy writing (marketing text). I plan to use it on my next book project.
Autocrit also has goals and productivity features including word count tracker and sprint and Pomodoro timers (with or without music).
Autocrit can format your manuscript, but it’s not as feature-filled as using Vellum or Atticus. I simply export to Word and then use Vellum.
There is a free option, that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. The Pro plan is $30 a month or $15 per month if you pay annually (as of this writing). Sometimes they offer deals for lifetime access, which I have.
Learn more at AutoCrit
ProWritingAid
This is a popular editing tool. I have the free version that I use for online writing (like this blog post). I used to have the paid version, but now I just use Word’s built-in editor and Autocrit.
ProWritingAid has expanded it’s features beyond just spelling and grammar to include:
- Manuscript Analysis
- Virtual Beta Reader
- Chapter Critique
- And more
It too has an AI feature to rephrase or help you through writers block.
One advantage over AutoCrit is that it integrates with many other apps online and off.
Pricing varies. There is a free version, but for all the bells and whistles, the price is $30 to $36 per month (you get more Sparks and Chapter Analysis with the higher level). A better deal is to pay annually, which comes to $10 to $12 per month, or buy the lifetime access $399 or $699.
Check out Prowriting Aid here.
Book Covers
Canva
I’m a big believer that fiction novels should have a professional cover design. Covers are the first thing readers see and yes, they do judge books by their cover. But if money is tight or you have experience in graphic design, Canva is a great tool to make covers. They have templates, graphics, and a variety of fonts.
Canva has a free version, but the paid will get you access to all the bells and whistles, graphics, and fonts, and integrated apps.
Getcovers.com
There are many places you can order bookcovers. I’d been hearing a lot about this one in author Facebook groups and decided to check them out. They can do ebook and print covers, but also audio book, posters and other bookish art. The basic ebook cover is $10 and print is $20. For $35 you can get both plus the source file.
For the Moonlight and Margaritas anthology, we ordered the $35 package.
Hire designer
This is the route I’ve gone with for all my previous self-published books. I use Yoly at Cormar Covers, but there are many, many others. I recommend checking with other authors (check out WWH groups to ask for referrals).
You can pay anywhere from $50 to $1,000 for a design depending on the designer.
Publishing
Publisher Rocket
Especially if you plan to write to market, Publisher Rocket is a great tool to help you understand what’s selling well now. But even if you don’t write to market, Publisher Rocket can help you identify the best keywords to use in your book’s retail page profile. The tool allows you to spy on your competition and assists in creating Amazon Ads.
Publisher Rocket has been a one-time price, but on June 8, 2025, the price will go to an annual fee.
Learn more about Publisher Rocket
Book Description Creator
Right behind cover design, book blurbs are essential in attracting book buyers. Many people are using ChatGPT or other AI to help them with this, but Kindlepreneur has a free tool that helps you tweak your blurb based on book retailer and will help you format it (H tags, bold, etc).
Check out Book Description Creator here
BookFunnel
BookFunnel is basically a tool that will help you deliver your book. Need to deliver your lead magnet? Bookfunnel can do that. Selling your books direct from your website and need several ebooks delivered at once? Bookfunnel can do that. Have audio books to deliver. Bookfunnel can do that too.
Bookfunnel integrates with many services such as email list services, and Shopify and Payhip ecommerce platforms. You can limit downloads, send certified email for ARC delivery, and a whole lot more.
Plus through Bookfunnel you can do newsletter swaps or sign up for giveaways, which are great ways to grow your email list especially if you’re a new author.
There are various pricing levels depending on your needs. The lowest tier is $20 per year for one pen name, 500 downloads a month, unlimited books, and access to group promos and author swaps. Higher tiers offer more pen names and downloads, plus other features such as email list service integration for $100 to $250 per year or $10 to $25 per month.
Draft2Digital
Looking to sell your books wide through multiple platforms such as Kobo, Nook, iBook, libraries and more? Draft2Digital is a resource that can help you do it. Draft2Digital merged with Smashwords, so you now get all the cool stuff from both such as universal book links, preorder setup with most venders, coupon generator, and more.
Note that if you want to sell on Amazon, you should set up your book directly through KDP. But for everywhere else, you can use Draft2Digital.
It’s free to join and your costs are 10% of the sale for ebooks (note this is from what D2D receives which is probably 60% after the retailer takes their cut).
Amazon KDP
Amazon is the largest bookseller on the planet, so it makes since to have your book there. Royalties are up to 70% for ebooks (priced $2.99 and above) and 60% for print (books priced $9.99 and above as of June 2025). Amazon wants to own the world, so they have their KDP-Select program for ebooks, in which you can make your books available to Kindle Unlimited readers and exclusive to Amazon. In return, you can get paid through KU page reads, and have access to marketing perks. Note that if you put your book in KDP-Select, you CANNOT have the book available anywhere else. So if you’re selling wide (e.g. also using Draft2Digital), you can’t be in the KDP-Select, but you can be in the regular KDP.
You can create print books as well through KDP. Amazon will give you a free ISBN if you want, or you can buy one through Bowker (see below). If you use the free ISBN, it can only be used through Amazon as the ISBN will be associated with their publishing house. (This is true of any platform that offers free ISBN such as Ingram Spark or Draft2Digital. It can only be used through their service as the ISBN is associated with them as the publisher).
It’s free to join, but there are fees associated with book size for download. For print, there are printing fees.
Ingram Spark
I’ve never used Ingram, but I know many authors do. It used to cost money to set up through Ingram Spark, but it’s free now. Royalty is 85% of net revenue (profit after costs) for ebooks. They charge $0.60 a page to convert a print book to ebook (seems to me you can just upload your own ebook file to avoid this fee).
Ingram Spark has global distribution like Amazon. And your book is available for order from any bookstore, libraries, and universities. It has a program by which you can accept returns which can increase the chances of your book being stocked in a bookstore. If the book doesn’t sell and the bookstore returns it, you may end up owing money. Here is information on book returns through Ingram Spark.
Book Vault
Is a publisher like KDP and Ingram Spark, but it offers another perk the others don’t…Drop Shipping. If you’re an author who’d like to sell directly to readers (as opposted through book retailers), Book Vault can publish and ship books sold directly through your website. It itnigrates with major online ecommerce sites such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Payhip, Wix, Kickstarter or an API.
Want to create a special edition with sprayed edges? Foil? Box sets and slip cases? Endpapers? Book Vault can do it.
There are several levels of service. The free plan has a title set up fee of $24.95 (members of ALLi or the IBPA have access to unlimited free title upload codes every month). Bulk discount is 3% to 10%. You can sell worldwide and have access to Book Vault tools. For extras like sprayed edges, there is an additional price per book.
Direct to Retailer
Many indie authors swear by publishing their book direct retailers such as iBooks, Kobo, and Nook, instead of using Draft2Digital or other ebook distributor. By publishing direct, you can often earn a higher royalty (sine the 3rd party isn’t taking a cut), plus have access to special perks offered by the retailer to it’s authors such as sales or special promotions. Reedsy has an article outlining some of the perks of wide destruction and direct publishing.
Website/Email
Momwebs
I’m a WordPress snob. I’ve been using it since 2010. Every one of my websites (including Write with Harte) is built using WordPress. But to use WordPress, you need a webhost. I use MomWebs. I’ve been with different hosts, but MomWebs has been the more reliable and responsive host I’ve ever used. If I have an issue, I hear back quickly.
The mini plan is $5 per month for a single domain. You can get your domain through them, or buy elsewhere and use at MomWebs. It comes with an SSL certificate, email, and more.
Shopify
Shopify is an ecommerce platform, but it can your do-all-be-all website as well. You can blog, sell books, and more. If you want to sell direct, Shopify integrates easily with BookFunnel and BookVault to distribute your books.
Systeme.io
I haven’t used Systeme.io yet, but I’ve been intrigued by it for years. My only hold back is that some of the tools I use (e.g. Bookfunnel) doesn’t have a direct integration, so setting up emails to go from Bookfunnel to Systeme.io would require a third party such as Zapier. Or I can move them manually.
However, what I like about this platform is that it offers EVERYTHING. You can have a basic website landing page (e.g. for email capture). Set up a membership area (for super fans). Sell direct. Blog. Affiliate program (pay people to help you sell your book). Webinars. Courses. And more.
Best yet, it’s free up to 2,000 subscribers. I’ve seriously considered moving JennaHarte.com here.
While a lot of it can be drag and drop use, there is some techy stuff that goes with setting up email sign ups, domains, etc.
Wix
I’ve never used Wix, so I can’t speak to it. But I know MANY authors who do use it, and seem content with it. Apparently there is a free option, but I don’t see it on the pricing page. However, I did find this info on the Wix website about a free plan.
Aweber
I’ve used Aweber forever, so I’m a bit biased. I like Aweber because I have multiple lists, can segment my lists, build campaigns and more. It offers landing page building (or any sort of page building), so you could actually just have Aweber and not a website if you wanted. You can sell directly through Aweber as well. Support is great. I’ve always used the chat option, but there’s phone and email help as well.
There is a free plan up to about 500 subscribers. Like all lists, prices go up depending on the size of your list.
MailerLite
This is a popular email service provider for authors. I helped my sister set up her email list through MailerLite. We selected this option over some of the others (e.g. MailChimp), because it has a free option that includes features you need such as an autoresponder. The free plan is up to 1,000 subscribers. It also offers landing pages.
Marketing Graphics/Videos
Canva
Canva is great for all things marketing whether it’s social posts, videos, bonus content, swag and more.
Author Scale
This is a new but growing tool to turn your book into slides/video for TikTok (or Reels or Shorts). It will identify hooks in your book and create a 10-slide series (or several series). You can then edit the slide and add pictures either through their graphic library, AI generation, or upload your own. You can post directly to TikTok through the app or download.
I grabbed a lifetime offer when it was available. It’s lowest plan is $19.99 per month ($13.33 if you pay annually) for unlimited books, unlimited hooks, connecting 1 TikTok account to schedule/post, and 100 design credits per month for backgrounds.
Here is the video I made for It’s About Damn Time lead magnet.
@jennaharte Lifelong friends fake a kiss…or do they? Free #friendstolovers #romcom ♬ original sound – Jenna Harte ❤️ Romance Author
Marketing
Genius Link
I put this under marketing because it offers a way to have one page with all your book links (e.g. if you’re selling wide.) Here’s mine for Deadly Valentine.
It works as a link shortener, ideal for affiliate links or those long Amazon links. It tracks who clicks it so you can figure out who and where people are clicking. You can create different links to track various marketing results, such as having one link for TikTok and another for your email list.
It will monitor links so that if one stops working, you’ll know. You can add tracking pixels to build custom audiences. And more.
It’s $6 a month.
BookSprout
You need reviews…Booksprout can help you get them.
While you can build and manage your ARC team on your own, it can be tedious and frustrating. BookSprout has an existing reader community you can tap into as well as build your team through your social media and email.
Booksprout tracks who requested the book, automatically emails reminders for their reviews, and if you want, will purge people from ever getting a book from you if they don’t leave a review. You set conditions for receiving the book, such as an Amazon review is required, a Goodreads and Bookbub review would be nice, but not required. Since readers are getting an ARC, they can message you privately if there are issues you should fix before launch.
The lowest plan is $9 per month which includes 1 active book campaign, up to 25 reviews, access to BookSprout’s reviewers, ARC distribution, and review reminders. Higher tiers get you a bit more such as more campaigns, more reviews, audio book reviews and more.
Note that I pay for the service when I have a book launch, and then cancel when I don’t.
SocialBee
SocialBee is my social media scheduling tool. I have all my profiles (Jenna, Write with Harte, etc), with all my social (Facebook page, Instagram–post, reels, stories, TikTok, etc.
SocialBee integrates with Canva so you can create or pull in your creative right into the post. You can have hastag lists, vary the post content for each platform in one post, and my favorite, reschedule content automatically.
You can categorize your posts and have a day and time each week posts from that category out. Plus you can track your stats knowing what’s working and what isn’t.
Right now, until June 9, 2025, SocialBee is having a 70% off first 3 months or 30% yearly plans with code: SBDAY2025
Normally it’s $29 per month and up depending on the plan. (I was fortunate to get a lifetime plan through AppSumo but this is gone now.)
Bookclicker
Need to build your email list or promote your book? BookClicker is a FREE resource that can help you do that. BookClicker offers email swaps, where authors agree to send info about each other to their lists. Generally, you want to target lists that have the same reader market and around the same size list as you.
If you’re list is new or tiny, you can pay for a feature. Starting at $5 (and going up usually with list size…note the bigger the list isn’t necessarily better in terms of results), you can have your lead magnet (or whatever book you want) sent to someone’s list. I used this option to build the new Tender and Tempting Tales list.
Note that you can offer paid promos as well, giving this a nice way to make a few extra bucks.
Meet the BookTokers
I have not used this yet, but plan to. Book influencers sell books! Colleen Hoover blew up because of readers on BookTok. This resource can help you connect with book influencers, get reviewers, and beta readers. It’s free to join, but it appears there are some paid promo options to get your book noticed.
Learn more at Meet the Booktokers
Vocable AI
If you have an author website, this could be a helpful tool to generate promotional content. Enter your URL and Vocable AI will search your site and map out 30-days of multi-channel (blog, Instagram, etc) content. You can then edit and post directly from the app.
Right now, you can get lifetime access through AppSump. Tier one is only $79…forever. I picked up tier 2 for $169 but that’s because I have more than one business and I wanted the channel integration.
When this deal leaves AppSumo, you’ll only be able to get Vocable AI by subscription which starts at $13 per month. I’m not sure how long this deal will be on AppSumo so grab it now if interested.
Check out other AppSumo deals.
KingSumo
Another tool from AppSumo, KingSumo is a great way to run a givaway/contest that builds your social media following and email subscriber list. Through this tool you can set up your giveaway, manage entries, and offer more entries for certain tasks such as following on social or visiting a website. When your contest is done, KingSumo will randomly select your winner.
There is a free plan or for all the bells and whistles, you can get the app for $49 lifetime access.
Additional Money Makers
These are all resources to help you earn a bit more beyond selling books.
Buy me a coffee – Use this as a basic donation link or set up subscription membership similar to Patreon and Ream. (BTW…want to buy me a coffee…or in my case, chocolate…Check out my Buy Me a Coffee Page. It’s free to join, and Buy Me a Coffee takes 5% for a fee.
ReamStories– Ream is a Patreon-like platform designed specifically for authors. You can set up subscription levels for content. Many authors make significant income through subscription. Ream has a library of content that offers tips, ideas, and more on how to use subscription as a monetization option. It’s free to join. Ream takes a fee (10% plus payment processing fee) from any subscription income.
Printify – Want to make merch featuring you and your books. Through Printify you can create t-shirts, totes, mugs, notepads and so much more. Create your design, upload to Printify, and then sell. You can integrate Pritnify with Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce and more. Here is Write with Harte merch to see an example.
Check out this post for more income ideas for authors.
Do you have a tool you love that’s not listed here? Let me know in the comments below.
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