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Older posts.

Everything before the most recent, newest first. The whole archive is here; nothing is retired once it scrolls off the front page.

The Calamus Editor with the Binder, a scene, the book outline and Marginalia open at once

July 24, 2026

What writing software costs over five years

A side-by-side look at what seven writing apps cost across a five-year span, what a subscription buys that a one-time purchase does not, and the costs that sit outside the headline price.

Compile in Calamus with The Ferryman's Debt open: front matter and six chapters down the left, the typeset manuscript in the center showing a chapter opener with a drop cap, and a 6 by 9 inch page preview on the right

July 17, 2026

Atticus vs Calamus: a web app and a native app compared

Atticus is $147 and runs in a browser on any machine, including Linux and Chromebook. Calamus is $189 and runs as a native app on Mac, iPad, and Calamus Ideas runs on iPhone. We're going to show you the writing backend process of each so you can make an informed investment decision.

Compile in Calamus: named styles down the left, four first-paragraph treatments as live previews, and the resulting typeset page

July 10, 2026

How to format a book for KDP

What KDP accepts for ebook and paperback, how to choose a trim size, how gutter margins change with page count, the order of front and back matter, and how to check the result before you publish.

Compile's Customize screen in Calamus: heading style options for size, alignment and chapter numbers, beside Chapter Four of The Ferryman's Debt typeset as a paperback page

July 3, 2026

Vellum is Mac-only and $249: what else formats a book well

Vellum makes excellent print interiors with very few decisions to make, and it runs on a Mac only. Here are the real alternatives for Windows writers and for anyone who would rather draft and format in one place.

The Calamus Editor with the Binder, a scene, the Companion panel of characters and locations, and Marginalia notes all open at once

June 26, 2026

Scrivener vs Calamus: what changes when there is no handoff

A feature-by-feature comparison of two tools that share the same Binder heritage. Sync, mobile pricing, typefaces, print PDF, world building, and an honest look at what each one costs over five years.

Page Setup in Calamus Compile: a 6 by 9 inch trim size with top, bottom, outer and gutter margins, beside a typeset page of The Ferryman's Debt

June 19, 2026

Scrivener's formatting problem, and what to do about it

Scrivener's Compile produces a manuscript rather than a typeset book, which is why most authors finish the interior in a second application. Here is where the handoff happens, what breaks in it, and what it costs on every revision.

Ideas, Writing, Creative Vibing, Compiling, and Marketing: One Tool.

Calamus is in Beta testing; join the waitlist, learn about how Calamus will help you grow as a writer, and be the first to know when you can start writing and publishing with Calamus.