Ultimate Scrivener 3 Review

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Love Scrivener or hate it? Tell me below so we can help others decide if it’s right for them.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Fantastic tip! I forgot all about that!

[@MyWriteTypecom]

I love Scrivener--especially 3. The new Bookmarks feature takes it to another level.

[@MyWriteTypecom]

Actually, you're wrong about Bookmarks. You put the bookmarks in the Inspector and you can see the contents of whatever you have bookmarked in the Inspector. That was the whole reason for the change from document links to bookmarks. You can bookmark all of the projects you want connected to your current project and you can see most of the content, or you can open it just by clicking on the bookmarks. And then, you can put more than one project in Tabs (only on Mac 3 version) like you create tabs in a Browser, and you can have numerous projects open at once. You can just click on the tab to see the information. And THEN you can make a Quick Reference Panel from one opened project to reference while you are using another project. Scrivener 3 is AMAZING! And there's a lot more. You really need to take make courses. :)

[@MyWriteTypecom]

to take "my" courses, not "make" I get a little excited, sorry.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Good to know. Thanks for your comment! :)

[@francisthompson1464]

I am going to get this program. I have been using the demo and it's so fantastic, just what i was looking for. I have been using Word and before that, I bought new novelist 3 software and was disappointed in what it didn't have. This seems more of what I need.

[@tiffanydurden]

This is a fantastic review! Definitely convinced me to try it out after a few days of teetering. Scrivener aside, you just seem like you've got a great personality and it made me enjoy and absorb this video that much more! Thanks for your hard work :)

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bc-ti4bq]

Re: collaboration, I'm new to scrivener so I don't know if this is possible or not but there may be workarounds if not able to do this directly. I used to be a software engineer were multiple programmers would work on the same project. In order to prevent complications of two people working on the same module and overwriting the others work we used a version control system. Very basically you store your documents on a network (these days a cloud, my engineer days were in the 90's). If one was going to work on s module the programmer would download a module for writing which would put the original on the network in read only mode. Collaborators could download that file for reference but could not make changes to it. Once the programmer is finished with his/her edits they upload it and that releases the Lock (read only mode. Once I start playing with scrivener I'll know better if there is a direct process to accomplish this. One workaround that quickly comes to mind is to create separate sections for each chapter/section. Kind of a pain in the ass but it would work. There are open source version control systems so the idea is easy to play around with. One that comes quickly to mind is git. I'm sure this could be worked directly into scrivener though, difficult but possible. BTW, I love your video series.

[@borkns3904]

This review is extremely well done, thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@perkelele]

I want to be able to have compatibility with reference managers like Mendeley or zotero or even use bibles references. I like scrivener but for academic research latex makes so much more sense now

[@gabbiecooke2608]

I love Scrivener, I just wish it had a way to check your grammar style like dabble does. I bought the first thing of scrivener will I have to buy the third update? Right now I'm using a Chromebook until I get a windows computer, my other one is dead :( I wanted to thank you so much, your power hours have encouraged me to participate in NaNo this year, I've written just over 3,000 words today. I've always been nervous to join, and often thought my writing wasn't good enough, but doing your power hours and having an awesome writing community I'm taking a huge step out of my comfort zone to take part in something I've always wanted to do :D!!!! Thank you soo much!! Thank you to the writing community too :D!!!

[@mando1964]

Had to watch this before I bought the new version. Was using scrivener 2, but with the new system I'm forced to upgrade! Thank you for the review!

[@bigphilly7345]

I had Scrivener 2 and rarely used it. Now that I have 3, the new visuals alone make it worthwhile. I'm now a convert.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Sweet! The visuals are definitely a plus. Scrivener 2 didn’t age well at all.

[@111Phoenix777]

This is an outstanding review. Thank you for all the details, the pros, the cons. Greatly appreciated!!! Thank you for posting this review.

[@111Phoenix777]

I've been using WordPerfect for years, but am intrigued with Scrivener's cork board, and automatic formatting for various literary formats.

[@111Phoenix777]

I hate compiling, macros, etc., etc., with a passion. Never liked it. There's always glitches!

[@MacAutomationTips]

Great review. Until watching your video I didn't know about the Writing History feature. I think it will be a little motivator for me to write more words per day to complete my project. I'm not brand new to Scrivener, but I wasn't using it for a while, and now I'm learning how to again. And you're right, the Compile feature is definitely confusing. I've paid for a couple of courses just to get a handle on it. I'll defiantly check out the rest of your vids.

[@martijn2m]

Helpfull review Michael, thanks. I am about to start a trial with Scrivener 3. Organizing info, data, and outlining are the most important part for me (starting a non-fiction book). Your review made it clear that Scrivener is very likely a good option for me.

[@wonderwomanx1268]

In the trial now and likely buying it. Idk if I need the training, but will have to explore further the Learn Scrivener Fast, perhaps the Rock Star Level. Appreciate the detailed overview.

[@urfavoritehumanbean879]

Now that Scrivener's Windows UI will be updated to match MacOS', I _will_ buy it.

[@dominicsklar869]

Loved this review. Very detailed and much appreciated. I currently have Scrivener and really feel like the update would be worth it. Thanks for the help!

[@Elementroar]

I actually started on Scrivener 1.9, so I never even tried the fully released 2.0 (honestly not sure about the differences, I was just shocked that my rather obsolete version was still available for download when I needed to re-open an old project file). This review is really great in highlighting those features that I would expect in a modern version of Scrivener, especially when comparing to v1.0's increasingly clunky (and now unstable lately with lack of support) design.

[@jerrybustamente1046]

I've worked in software for over 15 years, most of it in website development and owned my own firm. I am well versed on the topic of usability. I bought Scrivener and regret doing so. First, support for the product is very thin, a very limited number of people develop and support the product. Second, the learning curve is high and needs to be sustained. You can't walk away from heavily using it for a few months then come back and pick up where you left off. You have to take quite a bit of time getting back up to speed using the software. Finally, the index card emulation feature is totally inefficient - far inferior to simply using paper index cards and don't be so quick to reject paper index cards unless you've used them. In sum, you should not have to exert so much time and effort to get a tool do what you need it to. I could pound a nail in a board with a crescent wrench but it would be much easier with a hammer.

[@michaelcgrahamorama]

Awesome review. Detailed and very informative but still very concise and not too lengthy. Very informative and helpful for me to make a decision.

[@markchadwick77]

Great insights. You mentioned that you did substantial work with Scrivener compile. Your expertise in this area could make for a good video.

[@hectorreyesLIVE]

Excellent review. Thanks.

[@rjbaker6507]

"Compile to multiple formats"?? Calibre will let you easily convert from one ebook format to another. It's free, dead simple and works great. In fact, my process is to dump the final draft from Scrivener into .rtf without formatting it at all, then format it in my preferred word processor and convert from .rtf into various ereader formats using Calibre. During the conversion, Calibre also allows you to tweak any/every aspect of the ebook format during the conversion and will check/automatically fix problems in an edit mode before the conversion. Never had a single problem at any stage of the process.

[@mhacker84]

Great and professionally made review, sir! Thank you and good luck !

[@TheSullyFisher]

Thank you for this terrific breakdown! You've covered everything I was wondering about. PS strong voice!

[@tesfayehaile3999]

Great introduction to the new version of Scrivener. Thank you

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thanks for watching!

[@DuluthTW]

Great and thorough explanation. Thanks for sharing!

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thanks for watching!

[@druarde]

Excellent and thorough video. Thanks for sharing. Trying the beta now for Scrivener 3 on Windows and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. I love Scrivener (2, I guess?), but this will definitely take some adjustment.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you!

[@SpeakingSeed]

I would love to help a brotha' out! This is one of the best reviews on any products I have ever watched. Thank you! If I purchase the Scrivener Learning course, I will be sure to do it through your site, Michael. Thank you. All the best!

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you very much! :)

[@gainesdominique]

I'm buying this via your link. Thanks.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you very much!

[@andrewappleton2108]

You earned a new subscriber! I enjoyed this review a lot, was very helpful.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thanks man!

[@dookyshoes2684]

Hi! Great job on the video! I'm waiting, (forever), for S3 for windows. How big of a difference between S1 and S3? I'm worried about losing information during upgrade, as well as having to relearn a whole new platform/interface. Have you heard of Writing Outliner? A word Add-In program?

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you, David! There’s a big difference between Scrivener one for windows and the upcoming scrivener three for windows. I would expect a design refresh, and the new version to be in alignment with the Mac version, which means that there will be new features that the Windows version hasn’t had, like revision mode, copyholders, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much about losing information during the upgrade, but if you are concerned about it definitely export your manuscript to word format or text format and back them up on a separate source before upgrading. But I can tell you from personal experience that when I upgraded from Scrivener 2 Scrivener three on the Mac, there were no issues at all. It was super smooth. I have not heard of Writing Outliner. I will check it out.

[@dookyshoes2684]

Thanks! I'd love to hear your opinions on the Writing Outliner.

[@burningstar3466]

I clicked on your link . thank you

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you very much!

[@shouryachouray]

Thank you so much for an in-depth review.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thanks for watching!

[@bubbarand2561]

(1.) What can Scrivener do with photogaphs? ( 2.) Is there a good choice of font? ( 3.) Does Scrivener translate to Word? (4.) Do printers (jobbers) accept Scrivener as-is?

[@DerCribben]

This was very informative. Any chance of you doing a version more geared towards people that don’t know anything about Scrivener? We watched it last night but quite a bit of it missed us since we weren’t familiar with version 2 either. Also, have they improved on any of the issues that you explored as “cons”?

[@rengamesitout]

You know what would be nice? If Literature and Latte would start supporting an official Linux Release.

[@bondbert]

Hey there! I was wondering if you have a video or some advice about work flow with scrivener. Particularly with editing. I am nearing the end of my first draft in scrivener and was wondering about exporting to use some of the editing software you mentioned. what do you do next? do you take those edits and line by line go into scrivener? do you import it back in as a different document? figured you would have the solution that works best! thanks for the time!

[@orlandofurioso7958]

Enjoyed the video. Are there any good "how to" books in HARDCOPY format for Scrivener 3.0 for Windows? (I detest PDF manuals and don't like trying print them out.)

[@blackbeauty-studios]

Great review! Thanks so much.

[@juliesit5344]

I always like your videos, and I like scrivener. But can you tell me why it prints my document in red letters instead of black?

[@dkaiserpt]

New subscriber and just bought your book. You are a very good writing and I’m enjoying these videos. Speaking of these videos, you have some great graphics in this videos, how did you produce it? Where do you get your graphics and backgrounds from? Keep up the good work.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

+David Kaiser Thank you! I get my stock video and images from Videoblocks.com and storyblocks.com.

[@terriesmith8219]

Can you review Vellum?? Is Vellum better than Scrivener?

[@dswellhauser]

I''m frustrated by Compile too....and use Vellum for formatting. But Scrivener is still the best out there.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Exactly. :)

[@EldritchBlack]

I just saw this: www.literatureandlatte.com/export-to-vellum

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Yes, it’s easy to export a Vellum ready file. Still doesn’t solve the problem of having your manuscript i two different places though.

[@txLALA]

I think I’m sold, but I’m worried about using on my desktop and laptop and how well it stays in sync. I also want the iOS app if the sync works well, since I always have my iPad with me. It’d definitely improve my productivity if I could work on projects using all three devices.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

I use it with my desktop and laptop as well as with the iOS. It takes a few times to get used to syncing, but you eventually get into the rhythm of it. The key is to make sure you never have Scrivener open on more than one device at a time.

[@Ruthie888]

I just got it and I AM SO OVERWHELMED and FRUSTRATED! If it were easy, there wouldn't need to be so many how-to videos. It's not intuitive at all. I'm banking on your word for it. Final Draft is collaborative.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Don’t give up. I agree that it’s not immediately intuitive. Not by a long shot. If you hang in there, it should get better. If not, then that’s okay too. Finding the right writing app is a journey. I highly recommend Joseph Michael’s Learn Scrivener Fast. It’s not cheap but it has helped a lot of people, myself included.

[@Ruthie888]

@@AuthorLevelUp Thank you and I admire your drive and kind heartedness. I bought your three-book Android X series and I'm looking forward to reading it.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Thank you so much! :)

[@writerbyluck]

super helpful video

[@zendragon1624]

I can't wait until this comes over to the Windows side of the house!

[@MyWriteTypecom]

Scrivener 3 for Windows is in Beta. Should be coming out by the end of this year or early next.

[@marye123]

Very Helpful thank you.

[@schnabilo]

Great review, thx!

[@haroldgoodman130]

You say subscription based apps are the future. I disagree. I refuse to pay through the nose on a constant basis for any product. I am fine with upgrades that may cost a bit more but paying lots of money over time for the ability to use what I already paid for once? Forget it. And many others think like me.

[@Sarai0m1353]

Just bought it but I can't download it into my laptop. Any help?? Please and thank you

[@kerryd7]

I looked at Scrivener a while back and didn’t like it all. I went with Storyist. It’s easy to write with but i must admit I don’t know why certain won’t work. I don’t understand these programs for writing are so bad. If you think Scrivener is good, good for you. However, I’m not the only one that thinks it stinks. My friend started writing a book and used Scrivener. At 3/4s of the way through he gave up and I feel the main reason was Scrivener. Now, I’ve used Ulysses to write my Blog on tech since the day Ulysses came out. Honestly though I can’t see how you can write a book with this unless you just words down. Storyist helps you with construction. Ulysses with what???? Give me a break. Great for Markdown and writing a blog. It sucks big time for writing a book. I don’t know what to do. A long time ago I had a program that was for writing books but honestly I can’t remember was and i looked into it and thought it wasn’t half bad. I wish i could remember what it was. You are right - the tool is so important,. Do i continue with Storyist or convert to Ulysses. There’s no way I’d use Scrivener. It sucks. I so wish I knew what this other program was. I think it started V but I have looked and looked and can’t find it. How do you make Ulysses work for writing a book - Chapters, sections, indexes etc etc. I can’t figure it out. I know I can words out there. I have no idea how I’d format it.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Ulysses isn't really good for fiction writing or formatting. It's great for nonfiction and I use it for that, but I do my formatting separately in Vellum. Ulysses doesn't do ebook formatting well, either.

[@rabbitt83]

Hi u are talking about scribner for windows

[@evangelistlisajames94]

Okay we need to talk at this point! How can I get in touch?

[@cjpreach]

June 2020, and still no Scrivener 3.0 for Windows.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Yep. Extremely disappointing.

[@ArtfulCosumDust]

Honestly, not too hurt Windows users too much, but I'm sticking to Mac for scriviner. I'm tired of using nearly decade old software on Windows, especially since old software and Windows does not blend will. Until both Mac and Windows versions have feature parody, I honestly just reccomend getting a Mac.

[@Savalric]

Parity. And that's the point of Version 3, to bring them into line. And Macs are upwards of a thousand dollars. Scrivener is 50 bucks.

[@thelostgirl101]

When you buy scrivener, do you get the app too or do you have to buy it separately?

[@kronk99]

This is great!

[@Theater1TV]

can i add a quicktime vid into scrivener?

[@EmilynWood]

Still waiting for Scrivener 3 to be released on Windows--hoping it's as good as the Mac version.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

From what I’ve been told, it SHOULD put the Windows version on near equal footing. If only they’d just release it already!! :)

[@EmilynWood]

That's exciting! Now I don't have to get a Mac hahaha

[@TheGamingAddict531]

Scrivener for Windows has an open beta for Scrivener 3. I have been using it on windows for a few months now, and love it compared to the old windows version.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Getting closer! :)

[@Cristian-rj6zw]

Con subtítulos, muchas gracias !!!

[@SotraEngine4]

Scrivener 3 has sitka as a default font and has a dark mode. Enough said

[@michaelr3583]

When is this ship coming to windows 🤔?

[@BlairPurvis]

Agreed - Scrivener does an excellent job at helping us organise our thoughts which is essential for longer works, where content can become muddled if not managed effectively. What’s missing are tools to help us write better. I commented on the need for grammar checking before but there’s also great thought around planning your book’s tension arcs as well. A great blog about this can be found here: savvyauthors.com/blog/graphing-the-tension-in-your-story-by-kendra-leighton/. Wouldn’t it be great if we could map out our books with such analysis of the text. Autocrit does great analysis on pacing, readability and repetition. The possibilities for improvement is exciting where Scrivener could take the product. If L&L learns to play nice with other providers, I’m sure Scrivener 4 will be eagerly awaited. Let’s hope it is not a decade away though. Do you use the research templates? Personally I find the ability to take articles from the web and organise my research much easier in OneNote.

[@AuthorLevelUp]

I’ll check out that article. I would interested in seeing what the apps could do to help explore things like arcs, but all stories are unique, so to give writers a tool that only uses one or two recommendations will probably hurt them, not help. I do not use the research templates. I use OneNote as well. I import the condensed version of my notes into Scrivener when I’m ready to start writing so I can reference them later.

[@patrynaswritings7617]

Is this software a one time fee or monthly ? Thanks a lot

[@Nasreldeen1964]

I have scrivner for Windows ... and I am trying to write Arabic text ... it is not consistent ... is their a way to have scriviner user Word as the editor instead of the internal editor ?

[@AuthorLevelUp]

No, unfortunately. You will have to export to Word to get the benefits of its editor.

[@pteale]

Is there an Android app?

[@NicoleCSwanson]

I'm trying to download Scrivener when I go to buy its saying if I wanna buy Scrivener with a regular license.....I don't know what that mean.....please help ~Nikki~

[@AuthorLevelUp]

Yes, the regular license is for Windows or Mac. I believe there’s a student/education license. The regular is the one you want.

[@NicoleCSwanson]

@@AuthorLevelUp thanks for commenting back.....my mom did it all for me ~Nikki~

[@Sketchrcat]

Is Scrivener 3 for use on a PC and windows 10?

[@jesperjee]

How is Scrivener "iconic"? i have tried using it for years and cannot even create my own format. It is a completely useless programme if you are not a coder. There aren´t any tutorials online on it as well. I guess I´ll go back to pen and paper.

[@2012XF3]

I write on paper bro.

[@GnaReffotsirk]

Dark mode ?

[@Savalric]

Q!!!!!