Darla G. Denton | Author Platform Coach

Author Platform Resources

Curated Tools, Templates, and Tips to Help You Build Your Author Platform

Author Platform Resources

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Welcome to your ultimate resource hub! Here you’ll find an array of tools, templates, and checklists to support you at every stage of your writing journey.

Whether you’re looking to streamline your writing process, refine your editing, boost your marketing efforts, or enhance your productivity, I’ve got you covered!

Explore my handpicked selection of writing software, editing tools, marketing platforms, and productivity apps designed specifically for authors.

Dive into the world of digital resources and discover how you can elevate your author platform with the right tools at your fingertips.

Tools

Writing Software

Scrivener – a powerful writing tool designed specifically for long documents such as novels, research papers, and screenplays. It offers robust organizational features that allow writers to keep track of notes, research, and their manuscript all in one place. Scrivener’s flexible interface allows you to break down your work into manageable sections and view them alongside each other for easy reference.
Dabble – a cloud-based writing software designed to help authors with the entire writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to writing and editing. It offers a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for writers to focus on their work without distractions.
Hemingway Editor – a tool designed to improve the readability of your writing. It highlights complex sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and other common issues that can make your writing harder to read. The goal is to help writers produce clear, concise, and engaging content.
Ulysses – a writing app for Mac and iOS that offers a clean, distraction-free writing environment. It combines powerful organizational features with a minimalist design, making it ideal for authors who want to focus on their writing without distractions.
Vellum – a popular book formatting software designed specifically for creating professional-quality ebooks and print books. It is known for its beautiful templates and ease of use, making it a favorite among self-published authors.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Editing Tools

ProWritingAid – a comprehensive editing tool designed to improve grammar, style, and readability. It provides detailed writing reports and suggestions to help writers refine their work. It’s suitable for both fiction and non-fiction writers, offering insights into writing style, structure, and clarity.
AutoCrit – an editing tool specifically designed for fiction writers. It provides in-depth analysis and feedback on elements such as pacing, dialogue, and word choice, helping authors refine their manuscripts and improve their storytelling techniques.
PerfectIt – an editing tool that ensures consistency and accuracy in professional documents. It checks for consistent spelling, punctuation, and formatting, making it a valuable tool for authors who want to maintain a professional standard throughout their manuscript.
Fictionary – a unique editing tool that helps authors improve their story structure and character development through visual plotting. It provides tools for mapping out scenes, tracking character arcs, and ensuring a cohesive narrative structure.
SmartEdit – a software that highlights potential issues in your manuscript, such as repeated phrases, adverb overuse, and other common writing pitfalls. It’s designed to help authors polish their work and prepare it for publication.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Marketing Tools

Mailchimp – a email marketing platform that allows you to create and manage mailing lists, send newsletters, and track campaign performance. It offers a range of templates and automation features to help you engage with your audience effectively.
PlaceIt – an online design tool that allows users to create high-quality mockups, logos, videos, and other marketing materials easily. It is particularly popular among authors, entrepreneurs, and marketers for its vast library of customizable templates and user-friendly interface
BookFunnel – a service that helps authors deliver ebooks to readers and build their mailing list through promotions and giveaways. It simplifies the process of distributing digital books and capturing reader information.
Hootsuite – a comprehensive social media management tool for scheduling posts, managing multiple accounts, and tracking engagement. It offers a wide range of features to help you streamline your social media strategy and monitor your brand’s online presence.
Canva – a design tool that allows you to create eye-catching graphics for social media, book covers, promotional materials, and more. It offers a wide range of templates, design elements, and customization options to help you create professional-quality visuals.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Website Builders

WordPress – a powerful and flexible website builder that offers numerous themes and plugins tailored for authors and bloggers. It’s an open-source platform, providing extensive customization options and the ability to build anything from a simple blog to a full-fledged author website.
Squarespace – an all-in-one website builder that offers beautiful templates, easy customization, and integrated e-commerce features. It provides a seamless user experience, making it ideal for authors who want a professional-looking website without dealing with technical complexities.
Wix – a user-friendly website builder with drag-and-drop functionality and a variety of templates suited for authors. It offers a range of design options and features, allowing authors to create a professional and personalized website with ease.
Weebly – a simple and affordable website builder that provides essential features for creating a professional author website. It’s known for its ease of use, making it a good option for authors who want a straightforward way to build and maintain their site.
Booklaunch – a platform specifically designed for creating book landing pages that can help you market your book effectively. It offers templates and features tailored to authors, making it easy to create engaging and professional landing pages.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Productivity and Project Mangement

Trello – a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organize tasks and track your writing progress. It’s highly visual and intuitive, making it easy to see the status of various tasks at a glance.
Asana – a powerful project management tool that helps you set goals, create to-do lists, and collaborate with others. It offers various views (e.g., list, board, timeline) and advanced features to manage complex projects efficiently.
Evernote – a note-taking app that allows you to capture ideas, organize research, and keep track of your writing projects. It offers powerful search capabilities and integrates with various devices and apps, making it a versatile tool for writers.
Notion – an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, tasks, databases, and calendars to help you stay organized. It offers a highly customizable interface, making it suitable for managing both simple and complex writing projects.
MindMeister – a mind mapping tool that helps you brainstorm and organize ideas visually. It allows you to create mind maps to outline your thoughts, making it easier to structure your writing projects and explore new ideas.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Research and Inspiration

Google Scholar – a search engine for academic papers and articles, making it an invaluable tool for research and fact-checking. It provides access to a vast array of scholarly literature, helping authors find credible sources and background information for their writing.
Pinterest – a visual discovery tool that can be used to collect and organize ideas, inspirations, and resources for your writing projects. It allows users to create boards and save pins, making it easy to compile visual references and ideas.
Goodreads – a platform for discovering new books, reading reviews, and connecting with other authors and readers. It offers a community-driven environment where authors can find inspiration, track their reading, and engage with their audience.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

AI Marketing Tools

Crayon – uses AI to track competitor activities and market trends. It provides insights into what competitors are doing online, helping authors stay ahead with their marketing strategies.
SocialBee – uses AI to help schedule and manage social media content. It offers content curation, recycling, and scheduling features, making it easier for authors to maintain an active social media presence.
TailWind – an AI-powered tool for Pinterest and Instagram scheduling. It helps authors plan and schedule posts, discover trending content, and optimize their posting schedule for maximum engagement.
Sprout Social – an AI-powered social media management tool that helps authors schedule posts, track engagement, and analyze social media performance. It also offers social listening and customer engagement features.
Mention – an AI-powered tool that monitors brand mentions across the web and social media. It helps authors track their online presence, monitor competitor activity, and gain insights into industry trends.

For more in-depth information on these tools click here.

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps support the site and allows me to continue providing valuable content.

Checklists and Templates

Website

Blog

Book Marketing