Grammar Editing Software for Independent Writers: Pro Results Without High Price Tags!
Indie Authors: Don’t Have $1,000+ for an Editor? Use These Editing Tools Instead!
If you’re an indie author, student, blogger, or content creator, you’ve probably heard that editing is non-negotiable. But what if you don’t have $1,000 lying around to hire a professional editor?
Good news: You can still polish your manuscript like a pro without going broke. These affordable editing tools for indie authors help you clean up your writing, clarify your voice, and finish your book faster.
Grammarly
Your AI-powered grammar assistant
Grammarly is one of the most popular tools on the market and a top choice in any list of affordable editing tools for indie authors. It checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, tone, and clarity in real time. Grammarly ranks high among grammar and style checkers for authors because it’s fast, accessible, and user-friendly. Best for: Busy professionals, students, bloggers, and indie authors who want to sound polished quickly.
Pros:
Real-time spelling and grammar suggestions
Adjusts tone and formality using AI
Works in Chrome, Word, Google Docs, and more
Premium includes clarity and engagement improvements
Cons:
Occasionally misses nuance or overcorrects
Hemingway App
Make your writing bold and clear
Hemingway is a minimalist tool that focuses on clarity and punch. It encourages short sentences, active voice, and readability improvements. Hemingway remains one of the most effective book editing tools for self-publishing, especially for authors who want stronger, clearer prose. Best for: Creative writers, authors, and marketers aiming to tighten their style.
Pros:
Highlights passive voice and long sentences
Encourages active, bold writing
Free browser tool with optional desktop version
Cons:
Lacks grammar or spellcheck features
Scrivener
Full-scale writing software for big projects
Scrivener is not just for editing. It is one of the best editing software for writers working on books, scripts, or research-heavy documents. It allows full control over structure, notes, and timelines. Writers praise it for being one of the most complete alternatives to hiring an editor, especially during the drafting and revision phase. Best for: Novelists, screenwriters, nonfiction writers, and academics.
Pros:
Organize chapters, notes, and research
Drag-and-drop interface
Visual corkboard and outline views
Cons:
Learning curve
Requires manual syncing to be cloud-based
ProWritingAid
Combines grammar rules, structure, and in-depth reports. A hybrid of the best grammar and style checkers for authors and readability tools.
Dabble
Easier than Scrivener and tailored to fiction writers. A great pick among affordable editing tools for indie authors.
Quillbot
A paraphrasing tool that helps reword and clarify complex or repetitive sentences. Solid choice as one of the book editing tools for self-publishing.
LivingWriter
Cloud-based alternative to Scrivener with built-in templates for fiction and nonfiction. Often included in lists of best editing software for writers.
TL;DR:
Grammarly = Fast grammar help
Hemingway = Tighten your style
Scrivener = Organize your book
Extras: ProWritingAid, Dabble, Quillbot
Why Use These Tools Instead of an Editor?
Not everyone can afford a professional, and not all projects need one. Using affordable editing tools for indie authors won’t completely replace human editors, but they can take you 80 to 90 percent of the way. They improve clarity, highlight errors, and help you stay organized throughout the writing process. These alternatives to hiring an editor help you:
Clean up your writing without losing your voice
Save time during revisions
No personality clashes, arguments, etc
Improve clarity and confidence in your final draft
Stay focused on storytelling instead of micromanaging sentence structure
Whether you’re launching a new novel or refining your nonfiction, you have access to the best editing software for writers right at your fingertips. Combine one or two of these book editing tools for self-publishing and your draft will be cleaner, sharper, and more professional.
Which tool do you swear by? 👇 Share your go-to editing setup in the comments.
About the Creator
Heather Holmes
Heather Holmes has an English degree from the College of Charleston and is working on a Master's in Digital Marketing. She is the author of "Wings for Your Heart," a picture book of healing affirmations for survivors of childhood trauma.
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