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Author Toolkit

An author toolkit is an invaluable collection of resources and tools specifically tailored for writers like you, aimed at enhancing your writing career. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for writing—equipped with everything you need to craft, polish, and publish your work.


Scroll down and explore the author toolkit. Discover the tools and resources that can transform your writing process and help you achieve your writing goals more efficiently and effectively.

Budget Friendly Resources

The resources on this list are either free or have one-time payments. It's great for writers to get started with their author career, but don't want to break the budget.


  • Google Docs (online-base writing)
  • Scrivener (desktop-base writing)
  • BookFunnel (collect subscribers)
  • Sendfox (send newsletters)
  • StoryOrigin (newsletter swaps)
  • Payhip (build a free website)
  • Canva (branding/marketing)
  • AppSumo (lifetime deals on software)

If you would like a full step-by-step tutorial on how to set up all of these (and more), check out my "Level 3: Author Platform Made Simple" workshop.

Google Docs

Price: FREE

Website: https://docs.google.com/


Google Docs is cloud-based, meaning you can access your work from any device with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for carrying physical copies or using a single device. Your work automatically syncs across devices, so you can start writing on your laptop and easily switch to your phone or tablet when on the go.

Scrivener

Price: $59.99 (Lifetime)

Website: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener


Scrivener is a popular writing software designed specifically for authors, offering a comprehensive set of tools to facilitate the writing process. Scrivener is a powerful tool for authors who require detailed organization and enjoy customization in their writing process. However, it may not be the best choice for those who prefer simplicity, require collaborative features, or are looking for a free writing tool.

Collect Subscribers

Price: $100/yr

Website: https://bookfunnel.com/


BookFunnel is a platform for authors focused on digital book distribution and reader engagement. It offers simplified eBook delivery for various purposes like ARC distribution and direct sales. The platform excels in ARC management, email list building by exchanging free content for emails, and creating reader magnets and giveaways for increased visibility. It provides some piracy protection, integrates with mailing lists for marketing efficiency, and enables direct book sales to readers. BookFunnel also offers unique reader technical support and group promotions, alongside custom landing pages for professional promotions, making it a valuable tool for self-published authors and those building an online presence.

sendfox newsletter email marketing

Send your newsletter

Price: $49 (Lifetime)

Website: https://sendfox.com/


SendFox is an email marketing tool for authors, priced at a one-time fee of $49. It's cost-effective for those starting to build an email list, offering essential features at a lower cost. The platform is user-friendly, simplifying newsletter creation and design. It includes automation features for welcoming new subscribers and sending serialized content, and integrates with various platforms like BookFunnel for streamlined marketing.

Build a free website

Price: Free

Website: https://payhip.com/


Building a website with Payhip offers authors a direct sales platform for digital products like eBooks and audiobooks, bypassing traditional retailer fees. Key features include ease of use, integrated payment processing, marketing and promotional tools, email list integration, instant payouts, and detailed analytics. Additionally, Payhip allows customizable design, supports membership and subscription services, and offers social media integration, making it a comprehensive, user-friendly solution for authors to sell directly, engage with readers, and grow their brand with minimal technical effort.

Branding and Marketing Design

Price: Free

Website: https://www.canva.com/


Canva’s free version is a fantastic tool for authors who want to take charge of their visual branding and marketing without investing in expensive software or hiring a professional designer. It’s user-friendly, versatile, and offers a range of features that can help elevate your author presence in the digital and physical book world.

Newsletter swaps

Price: $100/yr

Website: https://storyoriginapp.com/


Story Origin is a free (with a $100/yr paid version) platform for authors, offering tools for book marketing and reader engagement. Its features include newsletter swaps and group promotions for audience growth, creation of reader magnets to attract subscribers, Universal Book Links (UBLs) for easy book sharing, and direct download links for ARCs. It provides tracking and analytics for campaign effectiveness, an integrated deadline calendar for organization, and a supportive author community. The platform is non-exclusive, user-friendly, and includes goal tracking to monitor project progress.

Get lifetime deals on software

Price: Lifetime deals

Website: https://appsumo.com/


AppSumo is a platform that offers lifetime deals on software, which can be incredibly beneficial for authors due to cost-effectiveness, access to premium tools, a wide range of options, no ongoing costs, and the opportunity to trial different tools. Products useful for authors include writing and editing software, graphic design tools, email marketing and social media management tools, SEO and website tools, project management software, and e-commerce platforms. These deals save money and provide valuable resources for various aspects of writing and publishing.

Additional Resources

Google Docs
Google Docs is cloud-based, meaning you can access your work from any device with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for carrying physical copies or using a single device. Your work automatically syncs across devices, so you can start w...
Read More
Scrivener
Scrivener is a popular writing software designed specifically for authors, offering a comprehensive set of tools to facilitate the writing process. Here are some of its pros and cons:Pros:Comprehensive Organizational Tools: Scrivener excels...
Read More

What authors are saying

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"Never have I felt so inspired and equipped to write."

— Walker

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"The course's structure made it easy to follow and learn effectively."

— Allen

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"The practical exercises were incredibly helpful."

— M. King