Font size
This app seems pretty nice. I am just trying to get used to it now. If any one knows, could you please tell me how to change the font size of the headings/body text? Thanks
Response from developer
Hi, you can go to the View menu, then choose Text Size. You can also do cmd-shift-+ to make it larger and cmd-shift- – to make it smaller.
Very Useful once...
This is fantastic and uncomplicated, unlike a few others and a heck of a lot less expensive unlike Word which wants $70 a year though I bought the program years ago and they now won't let me use it. Oh well. I really like Author but I wish the outline was on the side because it's awkward pulling up the outline then having to move over to write. There's another suggestion I had as well, but can't think of it off hand. Maybe later, when I'm using it.
I'm enjoying it for my novel writing. Oh, right, that'a problem - trying to bring a word doc into Author is not easy. I've done it a couple of times yet each time it's a learning experience all over again and again. Shouldn't be that difficult.
Nevertheless, it works for me in novel writing and takes me out of Word. Although, I have to move my novels into Kindle Create to publish because I want a certain page size and that has not worked for me. 6X9 for kindle novels and paperback. I like to see what it will look like as I'm writing but it's not critical and certainly does not distract from the programs usefulness.
I'm enjoying it for my novel writing. Oh, right, that'a problem - trying to bring a word doc into Author is not easy. I've done it a couple of times yet each time it's a learning experience all over again and again. Shouldn't be that difficult.
Nevertheless, it works for me in novel writing and takes me out of Word. Although, I have to move my novels into Kindle Create to publish because I want a certain page size and that has not worked for me. 6X9 for kindle novels and paperback. I like to see what it will look like as I'm writing but it's not critical and certainly does not distract from the programs usefulness.
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Response from developer
Hi, thank you for your comments and suggestions. We are actively working on better Word document integration, I agree that the current method of 'import' is not brilliant. As for page size, you can set that in Page Setup for export. I'm thinking hard about the table of contents issue as well. I'll see what I can do.
Does not seem to do anything/
The app will create new files and let you name them but is otherwise non functional.
Response from developer
There is an issue with visionOS 2.0 and we are working on it. Sorry about this!
Developing...
I very much want Author to soar past the other tools I've been using. I'm rating it 5-stars in faith that it will improve and become everthing it can be.
Currently I'm stuck with the following tools:
- MS Word because of its auto-outlining capabilities. I desperately want Author to match or exceed it. I long for freedom.
- IA Writer for its massive editing feature set, but Writer's sans/humanist fonts are apalling to me. Author does not have this flaw.
- Byword for its simplicity (and .txt default. I never got into markdown; its useful but I just don't like it).
Most of Author's features I have not yet explored, but the concept map looks fascinating, and the ability to make notes int eh margins is nice. There's a lot of promise in this tool, no matter how niche, and I look forward to being part of the developer's journey. Best to you, sir. I'm on your side.
Currently I'm stuck with the following tools:
- MS Word because of its auto-outlining capabilities. I desperately want Author to match or exceed it. I long for freedom.
- IA Writer for its massive editing feature set, but Writer's sans/humanist fonts are apalling to me. Author does not have this flaw.
- Byword for its simplicity (and .txt default. I never got into markdown; its useful but I just don't like it).
Most of Author's features I have not yet explored, but the concept map looks fascinating, and the ability to make notes int eh margins is nice. There's a lot of promise in this tool, no matter how niche, and I look forward to being part of the developer's journey. Best to you, sir. I'm on your side.
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Response from developer
Thank you, we'll keep working. Version 10.0 out soon...
Elegant Minimalism
Author is a beautiful app, very clean and uncluttered. It's simple in all the right ways, and yet powerful beneath the surface. I've tried numerous writing apps, but Author is the most enjoyable one I've ever used.
Response from developer
Thank you, very much appreciated.
For more than academic writing
The app is built for academic writing, and it is very good for that task. However I use it for most of my writing. It is a such an easy app to use withno unneeded features. The ability to fold sections make it a lot easy to keep on top of long documents. Try the free version first, but this version is worth every penny
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Response from developer
Thank you for your kinds words.
Lacks Markdown support
An absolutely brilliantly thought-out writing tool. This makes the lack of Markdown support all the more baffling, especially for the growing number of authors writing for publication on a static site generator. For many, like me, this will be a deal-breaker. Pity!
Response from developer
I'm sorry this is a deal breaker for you. We have looked into markdown but it is more complex than it first appears. Which version would you like? We can try to experiment with different versions of markdown but we cannot support all since they are more distinct than we might hope.
Not your grandmothers stenographers pad
I feel I'm on the cusp of something really great. I've only used app for a few hours but I just have this feeling that the ease and freedom I feel using this tool may be far beyond what I could have dreamed. Thats how I feel today. LOL
Response from developer
Oh well that's nice! Thank you.
Different take on notes, shows great promise.
Author is vastly different than note taking and/or long form, minimal writing apps that we've seen in the past. Whereas Ulysses, Bear and others have touchpoints that appeal to the minimalist style, Author really ups the ante with a radical departure from convention. Two key differentiators are apparent: how it handles headings and how it creates "Defined Concepts".
The headers work as headers normally do but with a twist: a 'Wiki' style quick collapse and drill down. Super handy for outlining and/or quick consolidation, down to the root level. And the implementation of it is so fundamental to the program, it must be pointed out, early.
"Defined Concepts" are the real star of the show; they allow a superb amount of linking between themselves, much like tags but even more like tags in a mindmap; even to the point that it has mapping to visually show those links.
The underlying mantra of this program is the thought leadership exhibited by its creator, Frode Hegland. From what I glean reading his works and website, they believe in 'Augmented Text' a metaphor perhaps of how can simply do MORE with words and text, something I utterly believe in. Hence why I use Ulysses, Bear, BBEdit, et al.
All minimalist programs these days are really good; Author is the only one I've seen that takes a completely different approach to it.
The headers work as headers normally do but with a twist: a 'Wiki' style quick collapse and drill down. Super handy for outlining and/or quick consolidation, down to the root level. And the implementation of it is so fundamental to the program, it must be pointed out, early.
"Defined Concepts" are the real star of the show; they allow a superb amount of linking between themselves, much like tags but even more like tags in a mindmap; even to the point that it has mapping to visually show those links.
The underlying mantra of this program is the thought leadership exhibited by its creator, Frode Hegland. From what I glean reading his works and website, they believe in 'Augmented Text' a metaphor perhaps of how can simply do MORE with words and text, something I utterly believe in. Hence why I use Ulysses, Bear, BBEdit, et al.
All minimalist programs these days are really good; Author is the only one I've seen that takes a completely different approach to it.
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Almost perfect writing app, missing one key feature
I love the idea behind the implementation of this app, so much so that I bought the paid version. I have been using Scrivener for non-fiction writing and Ulysses/Typort for writing fiction - Author has the functionality to replace all three. However, it is missing one key feature, and that's typewriter scrolling. I can't do long-form writing without this feature and so have put Author back on the shelf for now, in the hope that the developers add this crucial feature.
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Response from developer
We'll look into typewriter scrolling. Thank you for your support!
