Software Writers and Editors Should Know

Open Source Software (Free)

There are some open source applications that are used by writers, editors, and publishers. Some are used in specific fields, but it is always worth knowing they exist.  

• Word Processing and Office Suites
  • OpenOffice: Word processing, spreadsheets, and more. Similar to Microsoft Office.
  • LibreOffice: An independent version of OpenOffice.
• Desktop Publishing and Graphics
  • Scribus: Desktop publishing application. Similar to InDesign, Illustrator, or even CorelDRAW. 
  • GIMP: GNU Image Manipulation Program. Similar to Photoshop. 
• EPub Creation Tools
  • Sigil: ePub creation tool that supports current standards and most eReaders. ePub is a specialized XML format. 
• HTML/CSS and XML Tools
  • Amaya: HTML editor, the standard tool of the World Wide Web Consortium. Similar to DreamWeaver.
• Text Editors
  (These include support for HTML and XML editing, and some support ePub creation.)
  • jEdit: Java-based editor for multiple content formats and programming languages.
• Miscenllaneous Tools
  • Celtx: Screenwriting software. Similar to Final Draft.
  • LaTeX (TeX): Specialized markup language, used within the sciences. Nothing is similar to or equal to what LaTeX can do with math-intensive papers.

Commercial Software Vendors

The following commercial software vendors provide the most popular tools used by writers, editors, and publishers.

• Adobe: The Creative Suite dominates online and multimedia content creation.
• Microsoft: The Office Suite is the standard for documents in business settings.
• Final Draft: For writing scripts for educational and training productions, Final Draft AV is the standard.
• Write Bros.: Software for screenwriters, novelists, and more. Publishers of the best plot development software available.
• Literature and Latte: Publishers of Scrivener, possibly the best tool for writing.  

Though less common, the following vendors provide software used within segments of the publishing industry.

• Corel: Within the legal profession, WordPerfect remains popular. Also, CorelDRAW is popular in small print shops, sign making, and other fields because it can drive plotters and embroidery machines.
• Quark: Once a leader in the publishing industry, Quark now specializes in single source authoring and content creation for the iPad and other tablet platforms. 
• Just Systems / XMetaL: XML content authoring tools.
• SyncRO Soft: Developer of the <oXygen/> editor, which supports HTML, XML, and several other document standards, including ePub and DocBook.
• Author-It: Another single source specialist.