The Novelist
The Novelist: A free, offline-friendly novel workspace with linked story planning and book previews. Ranked #102 of 135 in Writing Apps by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for solo novelists drafting and previewing books offline.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSolo novelists drafting and previewing books offline
- Free planYes
- Publishing toolsYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Draft by chapter with autosave, word goals, and comments
- Link characters, locations, events, organizations, and research in a story bible
- Preview book layouts and export HTML, PDF, and ePUB in Early Access
Where it doesn't
- Collaboration is not supported
- Desktop versions are listed for Windows and macOS, with no mobile apps
- HTML, PDF, and ePUB export is an Early Access feature
Our verdict on The Novelist
The Novelist brings novel drafting and story organization into a desktop workspace for novelists, series authors, and worldbuilders. Its chapter-based editor includes autosave, word goals, and comments, while a linked story bible connects characters, locations, events, organizations, and research. Notes and image media stay in the local workspace, and activity history helps track changes. The combination suits solo writers who want their manuscript and reference material together, especially when working offline.
Publishing and planning tools are central to the app’s scope. Book previews include trim sizes, a table of contents, and page layout options; HTML, PDF, and ePUB export are available in Early Access. The app can import Markdown, text, and Word documents. These features make it relevant to writers preparing a book from a manuscript, but the export formats are tied to Early Access rather than the free core writing features. The product is itself described as Early Access, so writers who need a settled publishing workflow may prefer to evaluate that status before making it their main tool.
The free tier covers core writing, while Pro adds optional local AI, AI manuscript analysis, graph view, and grammar, clarity, and consistency checks. Ollama is the listed integration. Workspaces are stored in a folder on the computer, and the app is for Windows and macOS; collaboration and mobile apps are not part of its feature set. Choose The Novelist if you work solo, value offline desktop drafting, and want story references linked to chapters. Writers who need co-writing or mobile access should choose a different fit.
Your product? Our editors can test The Novelist in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
The Novelist pricing
The Novelist fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Publishing tools | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | No |
| Version history | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes |
| Mobile apps | No |
| Export formats | Standard |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Ollama |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | panossakalakis.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
The Novelist integrations
The Novelist lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Ollama
Alternatives to The Novelist
- Final DraftA screenplay-focused toolkit with deep planning, production, revision, and collaboration features.9.4
- ScrivenerA structured workspace for drafting, organizing, and compiling long-form work.9.3
- CeltxScriptwriting and production planning for screenwriters working with collaborators.9.2
See all The Novelist alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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