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FREE mini-course for Scrivener 3 for Windows

Tech Stuff, Writing Life

To celebrate the arrival of Scrivener 3 for Windows, I’ve created a free mini-course to help you transition from Scrivener 1 that covers the highlights of what’s moved, what’s changed, and what’s new.

In addition, I’ll be rolling out new Scrivener 3 for Windows courses over the next couple months.

Until then, come learn about some of the great new features, like:

  • Image placeholder tags
  • Freeform corkboard
  • Project target deadlines
  • Searchable snapshots
  • Quick Search
  • And more!

Click the button below to check out Jump Into Scrivener 3 for Windows: A Mini-Course for Scrivener 1 Users.

View course button

Mac user? I have courses for you too! Head on over to ScrivenerClasses.com and take a look.

Scrivener 3 for Windows has arrived!

Tech Stuff, Writing Life

Scrivener 3 for Windows released today! It looks great, and suddenly all my blog posts from the last three years are more relevant to everyone, lol. 😉

The update is not just good news for Windows users, but also those who’ve been working between Mac and OS, or Windows and iOS, because your files are compatible on both systems again.

If you purchased Scrivener 1 for Windows after November 20, 2017, then the upgrade is free. If you purchased it on or before that date, it’s half price.

If you’re ready to upgrade (Windows 7 SP1+ with .NET Framework 4.6.2+ required), here’s a quick overview of how it’s done.

  1. Go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/download and click the Download button under the Windows x64 heading.

2. Once it’s finished downloading, you can choose to Run the installer from your browser, or double-click the Scrivener-installer file in the Downloads folder on your hard drive.

3. Once Scrivener opens, you’ll be prompted to Buy Now. If you already have Scrivener, you want to ensure you get your discount, so click the “Upgrade from an older version” link.

4. You’ll be prompted to enter the email you used when you registered the old version, and the license code you received when you bought the old version. NOTE: If you can’t find the license, go to Literature & Latte’s “Lost License Recovery” page.

5. Once you've entered the requested info, click Check for Discount.

6. If Scrivener informs you that you’re eligible for a discount, click Get Coupon. (I believe this step is necessary because they changed licensing providers a few years back.)

7. The coupon code will appear. Copy it, just in case, but it should be automatically entered at the retail site when you click Buy Now.

8. Enter your payment information. Within a few minutes, your Scrivener version should be activated. You’ll receive an email with the license number, which you should keep in a safe place in case you ever need to reactivate your software, or for when you install it on another computer in your household. 

I’ll have news on updated courses soon. Until then, you can always find help on my Scrivener Articles page.

Are you excited?

No more MOBIs

Tech Stuff, Writing Life2 Comments

Did you get the email from Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) about their accepted file types for ebooks? In case you missed it, or were confused by the changes, here’s what you need to know if you format your ebooks in Scrivener.

  • For “reflowable” ebooks (see explanation below), Amazon no longer accepts MOBI files. They are asking for an EPUB or DOCX file, unless you’re using their Kindle Create program.
  • “Reflowable” books are those like you’re probably used to reading on your Kindle or iPad. They allow the person reading to resize or change the font and spacing, and the text just adjusts (reflows) to fit the screen without distorting the layout. The opposite of this would be a fixed layout file like a PDF, where if you enlarge the text, it extends off the edge of the screen and you have to scroll around to read it. Scrivener’s EPUB format creates reflowable text.
  • Any books you uploaded to KDP in the past are fine. Leave them alone.
  • Any books you plan to upload (or upload again to update) to KDP in the future should be in EPUB or DOCX format.

Bottom line: This actually makes your life easier! EPUB is one of the simplest file types to compile in Scrivener, so I recommend this route. In fact, KDP has accepted EPUB files for a long time, and I’ve been uploading them instead of MOBI for years now.

If you want to get better at compiling for EPUB, DOCX, or any other file type, I have classes for that at ScrivenerClasses.com. 😉

I’m also working on a video-only version for Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula (SPF) that should be out later this summer. The video-only Scrivener 3 overview is already live at SPF.

1st Draft done and a Scrivener post

Tech Stuff, Writing Life3 Comments

🎉 🎉 🎉

The first draft of book 6 in my series is done! There are few things that feel better than finishing a book. Especially since this one took longer than usual, for no discernible reason—other than maybe a few world events messing with my concentration…?—and it feels great to have the hard part done.

Now on to revisions, edits, copyedits, book cover… Look for Blind Trust in October!

For my Scrivener fans, check out today’s post at WriterUnboxed.com about features in Scrivener 3 that make finding your projects easier. As always, I’m answering questions, so I hope you’ll stop by!