Tools for Writers Who Value Creation Over Consumption

Alas, the deluge is upon us.

The avalanche of messages to buy, buy, buy everything and anything because we need more stuff. It can all feel so overwhelming. But consumerism aside, the truth is we do need some things. Maybe not as much stuff as we’re being sold, and certainly not for many of the reasons they’re selling it to us (I’m looking at you beauty industrial complex). Still, certain tools do make our lives easier or move us closer to our goals. And this can be especially true for writers.

So today, I’m focusing on a few of those tools and resources in my first ever Black Friday—Cyber Monday post.

Here, you’ll find a list of tools that have supported my writing life and may be helpful in yours. I steered clear of the mega-corps of the world whose bottom lines don’t need our money and instead chose a collection of well-known, widely used tools that can help you plan for your 2026 writing goals, stay organized, and move you closer to creating the stories only you can tell.

Scrivener

One of the first writing tools I ever purchased was Scrivener. For someone like me who doesn’t always write sequentially, Scrivener’s Outliner and Corkboard tools, and the ability to move scenes around, were game changers. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you dive in, you’ll wonder how you wrote without it. You can start with a free trial, and a standard license is $59.99. It’s available for both Mac and Windows computers. Learn more here.

Plottr

Yes, that’s spelled correctly. When I wrote my first novel, I didn’t plot a thing. I just wrote by the seat of my pants. You know where that first novel is now? Sitting in a folder in Dropbox. Some writers are incredible Pantsers (no outline, just vibes and vision), but I am not one of them. When I’m not plotting with pen and paper, Plottr is my preferred visual outlining tool. It helps map story structure, character arcs, and series timelines in an easy drag-and-drop layout. Plottr offers a free trial, but during Black Friday, they’re offering 40% off their lifetime price. Learn more about Plottr here.

Siteground

While social media is a must for today’s writer, a website you own is essential for a long-term career. It’s the online equivalent of owning a home free and clear versus renting: you can’t get put out. With Instagram accused of wrongfully suspending thousands of accounts and Amazon having shut down author accounts in the past, it’s more important than ever to have your own digital real estate.

Between my romance writing site, my main site, and other business ventures (I’m a serial entrepreneur), I’ve found SiteGround to be the best option for me. I host multiple sites there for one annual fee and use add-on services for things like site scanning. Their uptime, support, and speed have been consistently reliable, and their Black Friday deal offers 88% off new hosting plans. Check them out here.

Vellum (Mac Only)

Vellum doesn’t typically run Black Friday deals, but, in my opinion, it’s worth the full price. It’s a book formatting software that allows authors to create print and ebooks for every platform (Kindle, Kobo, Apple etc.). And it’s not a subscription, but a one-time purchase that allows you to build, style, and publish all your books. Check Vellum out here. Vellum only works on Macs, though, so if you’re a PC user, Atticus is a strong alternative.

Atticus handles writing and book formatting in one place, and during Black Friday, they’re offering their Publishing for Authors Course free with purchase. Learn more here.

My Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for Writers

If you want to hit the ground running with your WIP in 2026 and want deeper guidance and professional editing, I’m offering a few deals of my own.

15% Off The Sessions

The Sessions are my one-on-one consultations designed to help writers gain clarity, strengthen their pages, and move forward with confidence. My clients have described the experience this way:

“An hour spent with Grace is worth a day spent at a lot of writers’ conferences.” – JT
“Working with Grace was the single most transformative decision I’ve made for my manuscript. Because of her insight, my very first query to a top literary agent led to an offer of representation” – Tory
“Grace helped me generate a targeted list of agents perfectly suited to my novel.” – Maddison

Use Code FRIDAY15 at checkout. Offer valid Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1, 2025. Click here to learn more or to book a session.

Tackle Your WIP in 2026 (Limited Openings)

If you’re preparing a full manuscript for the new year, I’m opening a small number of editorial openings that will help you make real progress. These openings are ideal if you want in-depth feedback, structural insight, or professional guidance as you shape your book. You can view my packages here.

• $100 off Platinum Package (WRITER100)
• $75 off Gold Package (WRITER75)
• $50 off Editorial Assessment (WRITER50)

Only 5 slots are currently available for February–April 2026. These are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To check availability, email grace@thewritersstation.com with the subject line 2026 Editorial Project Slot Inquiry. Eligible discount codes will be applied manually to qualifying projects upon booking.

As we head into the holiday rush and the push toward a new year, I hope this guide helps you choose tools that support your writing life. Whether you’re outlining your next project or finally investing in your craft, these resources can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. And if you’re ready for deeper guidance or want hands-on editorial support, I’d love to work with you.

Wishing you a grounded, creative season ahead and a strong start to your 2026 writing goals!

(This guide will be updated annually.)

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely find valuable for writers.

-Grace