Novelcrafter
Novelcrafter is novel writing software with planning, story organization, and optional AI tools that let authors choose their preferred AI models and control how they write.
Novelcrafter is a browser-based novel-writing platform that combines a distraction-free manuscript editor, planning tools, and a story bible with optional AI assistance. It helps writers plan scenes and chapters, draft manuscripts, and organize characters, locations, items, and other story details in one workspace.
Unlike AI writing tools that bundle their own model, Novelcrafter uses a Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) approach. Writers can connect AI models from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or OpenRouter and pay those providers directly for AI usage.
How Novelcrafter Works
- Plan the Story: Writers can outline scenes, chapters, acts, and story beats using planning tools such as scene cards, grids, and timelines.
- Build the Story Bible: The Codex stores information about characters, locations, items, lore, and other important details. It can also track where these entries are mentioned throughout the manuscript.
- Connect an AI Model: Users can add their own API keys from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or OpenRouter. Novelcrafter can also work with local models through Ollama and LM Studio.
- Generate or Brainstorm: Writers can use AI drafting tools or Workshop Chat for writing assistance, brainstorming, and other tasks.
- Add Relevant Context: Novelcrafter can provide relevant Codex information and book context to the AI, helping it maintain consistency with the story's existing details.
Why Choose Novelcrafter?
Novelcrafter combines manuscript writing, story planning, world-building, and optional AI assistance in one browser-based workspace. Its Codex helps organize story information and provide relevant context to AI tools, while BYOK support lets writers choose models from different providers instead of being limited to one built-in AI system.
Pros
- Gives writers flexibility to choose and switch between different AI models.
- Codex helps maintain character, world, and story continuity.
- Lets users pay external AI providers directly for API usage.
- Provides extensive control over prompts, writing styles, and workflows.
- Works through a browser without requiring heavy software installation.
- Supports sharing world-building information across books in a series.
Cons
- Setting up API keys and AI configurations can be difficult for beginners.
- Requires active writing and planning rather than generating an entire book with one click.
- Users manage separate billing for Novelcrafter and external AI providers.
- AI features depend on internet access and the availability of connected providers.
- The large number of settings and metadata options can make the interface feel complex.
Novelcrafter is best suited to writers who want structured novel-writing software with optional AI assistance and control over their AI models. It can be useful for:
- Novelists planning and writing long-form fiction.
- Writers managing detailed characters, locations, and story lore.
- Authors who want to use different AI models for different writing tasks.
- Writers working on multiple books in the same series.
- Users who want more control over AI prompts, context, and writing style.
Novelcrafter combines manuscript writing, story planning, world-building, and optional AI assistance in one browser-based workspace. Its Codex helps organize story information and provide relevant context to AI tools, while BYOK support lets writers choose models from different providers instead of being limited to one built-in AI system.
Novelcrafter's Key Features
Organizes characters, locations, items, and lore with the Codex.
Supports AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and OpenRouter.
Works with local models through Ollama and LM Studio.
Provides scene cards, grids, and timelines for story planning.
Includes Workshop Chat for brainstorming and writing help.
Shares Codex information across books in a series.
Lets writers customize prompts, instructions, and writing styles
Includes a distraction-free manuscript editor.
Pricing
Free Plan
Free
Scribe
$4 /mo
Hobbyist
$8 /mo
Artisan
$14 /mo
Specialist
$20 /mo
Disclaimer: for the latest and most accurate pricing, please visit the official Novelcrafter website.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Rhea Kapoor
Excellent tool! Saved me hours of work. Highly recommended.
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