The best Novel Authoring alternative to Manuskript is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Manuskript and loads of them are Novel Authoring Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Novel Authoring Tool alternatives to Manuskript are Scrivener, bibisco, Quoll Writer and Story Architect (STARC).
Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.
Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within reach for efficient work.
Scrivener is probably best of breed for novel writers, but is unfortunately unavailable on Linux. (An extant earlier Linux release has spotty compatibility, and the Wine installation of the Windows version [which lags behind the Mac version] is also unsatisfactory.) Without this drawback, Scrivener would be the best alternative to Manuskript, even considering its cost.
Scrivener is a heavy weight, it's what a lot of authors use. I'm sick and tired of hearing Scrivener has a steep learning curve... How do you explain Word when you open it? It looks like Star Trek!
It's well worth the money for what it can do.
Desktop application for novel structuring, offering chapter and scene management, distraction-free text editing, detailed timeline, character interviews, multilingual support, export to publishing formats, revision history, relationship diagrams, and writing goal tracking.
Normally a pretty good alternative to Manuskript, but giving up the free model now hampers its chances.
Focus on your words not the interface. Quoll Writer is a writing application that helps you focus on your words. Clean and uncluttered. Feature rich. Features are where you would expect them to be.
Be on the lookout for this one, it has potential.
A smooth yet powerful writing experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.
Combines Markdown writing, live preview, and powerful design controls with instant exports in ePub, PDF, and HTML formats. Open format Markdown file storage, no vendor lock-in, customizable themes, and full privacy with local or iCloud storage on Mac.
novelWriter is a Markdown-like text editor designed for writing novels and larger projects of many smaller plain text documents. It uses its own flavor of Markdown that supports a meta data syntax for comments, synopsis and cross-referencing between files.
yWriter is a writing tool that uses "scenes" as a unit of text and allows you to associate that text with all manner of story elements (characters, locations, items) as well as place it and rearrange it within the context of chapters.
If it's an outline you're after, this is what you need. With all the tabs and options it has, it's surprising that it's free.
Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.
Free offline worldbuilding and story creation tool with dozens of templates, complex tagging options, document linking, and project-wide search. Template examples: characters, places, events, religions, currencies, magic, species, languages.
Fantasia Archive is much more focused in design compared to Manuskript - it's for worldbuilding first, with everything else coming second. That said, it is an excellent tool for Game Masters and wordlbuilders, whether professional or hobbyist.
The only app you'll need to write your novels and build your worlds. Organize your thoughts and cross-reference anything at any time.
OmniOutliner is a start-to-finish writing app. Perfect for collecting information, outlining Big Ideas, adding structure to any sort of writing, and much more. From grocery lists to email drafts to long-form composition.
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I use Zettlr next to Manuskript and DoomEmacs Org-mode. Zettlr does different things to Manuskript that are faster across a directory or multiple workspaces.