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Norwid
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Features

A professional tool that never overwhelms

In Norwid, simplicity means managing complexity, not removing power. You see the tools for the task at hand, and the next level opens up predictably.

23 of the 29 capabilities listed here already work in the Mac prototype. The rest are planned for version 1.

How the library is organised

  1. 1

    Library

    Every series and standalone book you write.

  2. 2

    Series

    An optional container of books with a shared world canon.

  3. 3

    Book

    Manuscript, structure, world, research and editions.

  4. 4

    Edition

    Settings for a specific file: EPUB, print, DOCX.

Mode · ⌘1

Writing

What am I writing right now?

A long manuscript as a structure of parts, chapters and scenes — and a calm editor where only the text is in view.

More about this mode →

  • Parts, chapters and scenes

    Structure in the left navigator: add, split, merge, reorder, undo.

    In prototype

  • Markdown as a first-class format

    Semantic markup in the text, dimmed markup characters, reading and editing Markdown.

    In prototype

  • Editor appearance

    Font, size, spacing, line width, paper or sepia background — personal settings that never touch the book.

    In prototype

  • Typewriter and focus

    The cursor line stays centred; everything except the current paragraph is dimmed.

    In prototype

  • Scene properties and goals

    Status, POV, world time, location, word goal and summary in the inspector.

    In prototype

  • Search and commands

    ⌘K finds modes, commands, scenes, characters, book text and help articles.

    In prototype

  • Drag-and-drop structure

    For now — menus and keyboard shortcuts.

    Planned for v1

  • Writing on iPad, capture on iPhone

    The same book, with an interface suited to each device.

    Planned for v1
Mode · ⌘2

Planning

How is the story built?

Characters, places, events and relationships — one model with the manuscript, not a separate database.

More about this mode →

  • Scene cards

    The whole book on one screen: summaries, statuses, POV.

    In prototype

  • Two orders of time

    Narrative order and world time, kept apart. Flashbacks and parallel scenes show up on the timeline.

    In prototype

  • Characters and locations

    A reference of story entities with their mentions in the text.

    In prototype

  • Plot lines

    A scene can belong to several lines; an appearance matrix by chapter.

    In prototype

  • Relationship graph

    A character's surroundings and the whole network: line weight is how many scenes they share.

    In prototype

  • Find characters in the text

    A background mention index, no AI involved — shows where each character appears.

    In prototype

  • Research and moodboard

    Materials, images and notes right next to the book.

    In prototype

  • Series canon

    Shared characters and world facts across every book in a series.

    Planned for v1
Mode · ⌘3

Editing

What needs work, and what changed?

Statuses, comments and a version history where you can compare and restore a scene or the whole book.

More about this mode →

  • Scene table

    Number, POV, status, words, comments and world time, with filters.

    In prototype

  • Comments

    Notes on a scene that can be resolved and reopened.

    In prototype

  • Version history

    Auto versions with thinning, plus named and safety versions.

    In prototype

  • Compare and restore

    A clear comparison of a version with the current book; restore one scene or the whole book.

    In prototype

  • Progress at a glance

    Share of finished scenes, open comments, latest version.

    In prototype

  • Integrity checks

    Links, structure and contradictions in the story model.

    Planned for v1
Mode · ⌘4

Publishing

How will the book look?

Many editions from one manuscript: EPUB, print-ready PDF, DOCX and Markdown — with preview and a pre-release check.

More about this mode →

  • EPUB, PDF, DOCX, Markdown

    Any number of editions of one book, quick export with ⇧⌘E.

    In prototype

  • Edition styles

    Classic, Modern, Manuscript and Large Print presets, plus detailed settings.

    In prototype

  • Print page setup

    A5, 5×8″, 6×9″ and other trim sizes, mirrored margins, running heads, chapters on the right-hand page.

    In prototype

  • Honest preview

    EPUB in a device frame, PDF page by page and as spreads.

    In prototype

  • Preflight

    Errors, warnings and suggestions, each linked to its place in the book.

    In prototype

  • Cover, images, footnotes

    And font embedding in export.

    Planned for v1

  • EPUB accessibility

    Baseline accessibility requirements for ebooks.

    Planned for v1