# Writing Shed — user reviews > 24 indexed App Store user reviews of Writing Shed by Keith Lander, rated 3.71/5 from 17 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/writing-shed/id1056997926/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/writing-shed/id1056997926.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 3 ## Newest reviews (4 of 24) ### 4/5 — Wonderful writing and outlining app *2022-05-15, version 5.28* I would highly recommend this app to anyone who is interested in writing. It has something for everyone, templates are provided for Novelists, short stories or anyone interested in writing poetry. I have read all of the older and mostly negative reviews in regards to this app. I did experience some lost work in the beginning but once I took the time to read the help files, that was the end of my issues. Take the time to read the help files. It will greatly enhance your understanding and functionality of the app. In regards to support, I have found all the negativity to also be unjustified. I had a very minor issue that wasn’t even related to the app and I worked with the developer on resolving the situation. I can’t say enough good things about Keith. We exchanged emails daily while he worked to troubleshoot my issue. The developer is very passionate about this app and will assist you in resolving any issues you might run across. No app covers every base and there are small things that can be added to improve the quality of the app but for the price I honestly have no complaints. My suggestion is play around with the app first. Read the help files. There is a lot to this app that it’s easy to overlook at first. I look forward to using any future versions of Writing Shed. I hope you will enjoy using it as much as I have. ### 4/5 — Very good idea, could still be improved *2020-10-25* I am impressed by this app. Instead of using my Notes app, I will now use this. Improvements suggested: transfer Word headings as chapters in writing shed. Otherwise, I don’t think that I will be entering that info by hand. Not sure what it’s for. Chapter titles? A link with Word or Scrivener (for scenes) would be a nice addition to this very already helpful app. Also, auto capitalized words for each section would be nicer than always having to press shift when entering a character’s name. Links to competition sites and other tracking websites such as the submission Grinder or Submittable would be also good. Good job you guys! Update October 2020: the app started to crash after a few selections (scenes) **Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback. We'll add these items to the Wishlist. There are no crashlogs recorded for the past two weeks, so maybe you haven't got the Analytics & Improvements set up in Settings>Privacy. You can always contact us through the website at writing-shed.com. ### 4/5 — Crashes when trying to open (Update) *2018-10-31, version 3.16* App has starting to crash and won’t open on iPad Pro. Hope for a fix if not it’s totally useless . Too bad because it was my go to app when writing. UPDATE. My iPad Pro was purchased two years ago. It’s updated with all the latest IOS. I stopped using this app because it kept crashing. The developer contacted me and asked a few questions recently. I decided to delete the app and reinstall it on the chance it would work again. It did. I am very pleased and plan on using it once again as my ‘go to’ writing app. ### 5/5 — Ms *2016-12-18, version 1.59* I highly recommend this app! I’ve tried a few other writing apps, but this one, for me, is by far the best. Writing Shed has allowed me to move out of a linear mode of writing, now I can write down ideas as they come using the unique ‘scene’ mode. As a result, I feel a lot more freedom as a writer and my creativity has been greatly enhanced. Creating characters and locations is one of the many great features. You can also write your ideas down in the scene mode and even write different versions of the scene, so there’s a lot of room to play around in the creative space. It’s now an absolute joy to sit down and write, thanks to Writing Shed. Also, I’ve been able to pass on suggestions and feedback directly to the developer who is extremely responsive and forthcoming, so the app is always changing and improving. It’s pretty much the perfect writing app. For anyone who’s just starting out on a writing project, whether it be short stories, poems, a screenplay or a novel, Writing Shed is definitely for you. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — It won’t even open *2023-12-03, version 5.29* Although I have the latest version of the Writing Shed, the app still won’t open. I tap it, it shows briefly on the screen before shutting down again. I think the termites are eating the shed, please fix. ### 1/5 — What the heck? *2019-06-07, version 4.09* Spent several frustrating hours trying to right the bizarre jumping of lines. This has rendered my texts impossible to print or email for competitions or any other use. Words jump onto the next line mid- sentence and I can't double space the whole text. Contact support? A blank page is all I get. ### 1/5 — Get a calendar *2018-12-14, version 4.04* I've just downloaded this app - 14 December - and the first thing I'm welcomed to is that my 14 day free trial ends on 17 December. I've got news for you - the free trial ends now - trashed. If that's how you welcome potential users, I don't want this app. ### 1/5 — Can’t even open *2018-04-07, version 3.6* I’d give zero stars, but not an option. I can’t even open the app and am afraid all I’ve written is gone. ### 1/5 — Horrid app. *2018-04-04, version 3.4* Lost all my writing in this app. 1 novel and several short stories and articles. Buggy, impossible to navigate. The developer is always pleading mea culpa but frankly, I wouldn’t have this app again. Lost so much valuable writing. Just disappeared. Horrible. ### 1/5 — Instant Disappointment *2017-10-28, version 2.71* For the price, I expected something amazing. So disappointed. First, the cloud sync doesn't. Second, the font settings in the editor do nothing. Third, selecting the option to change the default font results in an instant crash. Primitive. A total let down. There are better apps out there at a fraction of the price. ### 1/5 — Overpriced and Glitchy *2017-10-27, version 2.71* Trying to work on my stories and this app continues to crash. Just got a much more reliable app for $5 less and deleting this one. If you’re going to charge this much for the app, make sure it works. ### 2/5 — :/ *2018-03-28, version 3.2* App was working great but now it won’t open (started about 3 weeks ago). So all the poems/stories are unavailable to finish being written or moved else where. ### 3/5 — SammyDuck *2020-10-07, version 5.03* UPDATED REVIEW, OCT 7, 2020: I’ll still have to maintain that many developers—not just Mr. Lander—need to spend more time/energy/money on the coding process. Especially if they expect consumers to invest their hard-earned money in a subscription. As I indicated before, I like the UI and features of this app, so I tried Writing Shed again, and it seems to be working okay now. But I have been through this before—three times. At this point I simply can’t trust it with my work and I am reluctant to spend any more of my own time with it. I would like to see how other, especially “more representative”, users are faring with it. UPDATED REVIEW, OCT 4, 2020: DEVELOPER SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN OUR BACK-AND-FORTH EMAILS OF WELL OVER A YEAR AGO. SEEMS UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE OF THE TIME THAT HAS PASSED. HOWEVER, TO LET USERS OF THIS APP LANGUISH IN EXPECTATION OF ITS IMPROVEMENT—WHEN THEY NEED TO ACTUALLY BE USING IT—IS NOT SOMETHING I’D BE PROUD OF. AND NOW A SUBSCRIPTION? PERHAPS THE BUGS AND CRASHES HAVE NOW BEEN FIXED, BUT I DON’T SEE ANY REVIEWS THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT. ANYONE? Old Review: Lost text, crashing, too few bugs/glitches worked out—a pity because I really do like the UI and features of this creative writing app & submissions record keeper. Needs to be snappier, more reliable, better file management, better export, syncing, and versioning. What can readers do to convince developer to invest time/energy/money in coding? ### 3/5 — Better than I thought *2018-02-14, version 2.76* Contrary to my earlier review, it IS possible to assign chapters and scenes to a project - thanks to the developer showing me how. The app remains slightly cumbersome, in my view, and inconsistent (sometimes you delete by selecting the ‘Edit’ button and then a bin icon at the foot of the screen, other times this doesn’t appear but you can swipe left to delete). But these are quibbles. The app is better than I thought and my previous one-star review was harsh. Happy to put the record straight. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Fantastic App *2022-06-11, version 5.28* Since it’s inception and over the years that I’ve used Writing Shed I’ve found it helps me organise my work and writing directly into the app is a huge bonus for me as I can write anywhere and all my machines sync hoorah for Writing Shed I recommend this App with 5 Stars! ### 5/5 — Excellent *2019-08-06, version 4.12* Been using this app for months it’s really impressive have found no fault with it yet ### 5/5 — Great app for writing and tracking submissions *2019-06-11, version 4.10* Nice layout, simple and effective. So handy to be able to track submissions from inside the app. Syncs well between devices too, perfect for writing on the go. Friendly developer responds when contacted and quickly sorts out issues. ### 5/5 — Working on some issues. *2018-05-16, version 3.8* This app works great! I am having some issues with lost work from a previous version of the app when it was updated but I am very happy with the response and help going into the recovery of my work from the cloud. Fingers crossed it all works out! 😁 ### 5/5 — Program fixed and now working and enjoying it. *2018-04-19, version 3.7* Update #3: Developer and I worked directly through on these problems. It took a couple days, but we found what was causing it and now the program is working as the developer intended it to do on both the mac and the ipad. He really did put the time in to fix this problem and we solved it and now I am getting into it. Update #2: Msg to developer: Thanks for all your help, but none of the problems have been repaired and the program still locks up whenever I open it. Tried all your suggestions on iCloud sync, even uninstalled/reinstalled it and program still freezes up... still want to like this program, but it does not like me... Msg to developer. Thank you for your reply. I have not answered because I have been too busy of late with no time for anything else. Anyway, I had a few spare moments today and tried the program again. It opens up, but when I try to do anything on it, the program immediately locks up solid. I attempted the feat of adding a new project. It just jammed and then crashed. I tried it several times to no avail. I am on an ipad 10.5, 256gb, with the latest update of IOS. That should be easy for a program like this, but it just locks up. I really want to like this program. I purchased it on both the ipad and the Mac to replace Ulysses, after it went to monthly subscription, and because of how this program is designed for long projects, which I do many of. However, every time I try it the program lets me down. On the Mac it seems to clog up the system so that the memory and the program cannot keep up with each other to produce that rainbow wheel going around. On the ipad, I updated it, and now it just freezes up and crashes. I have a 10.5 pro, 256gb, so this should not be a problem. Again, I really do want to like and use this program, but.... ### 5/5 — Very nice indeed *2018-01-19, version 2.76* I love this. Very well organised, with lots of nice touches, I especially like the ability to add notes to a piece of writing. A full-screen mode is available if you want a clutter-free field, and it can sync across devices via iCloud. ### 5/5 — As promised, found how to export *2018-01-01, version 2.76* And it is a sleep way. Select the text, press share, and add any app you want share this will. I selected one of my markdown apps, and it works, ### 5/5 — Great Writing App *2017-12-10, version 2.76* This app does exactly what I need for writing my short stories. Project management, drafts including versioning and allows me to collect research for each project. Been a couple of bugs but developer tracked them down quickly and released an update within a couple of days. The best writing app I found on the App Store. ### 5/5 — Still crashing *2017-11-02, version 2.73* I really love this app, but isit is still crashing when I open it 😔 it pops up with what I’ve written and then just goes back to my phone’s home screen 😢 ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2017-01-02, version 2.0* This app is absolutely wonderful! Clean and organized. Just what I was looking for! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*