Neura Market
Shy Editor logo

Shy Editor

Free

A modern AI-assisted writing environment for all types of prose.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About Shy Editor

ShyEditor is a purpose-built AI writing studio designed specifically for novelists. It takes authors from premise to finished manuscript with integrated tools for planning, drafting, revising, and exporting. The Story Engine generates chapter-by-chapter outlines from a simple premise, and the distraction-free editor offers AI suggestions that match the writer's voice. A story-aware AI chat remembers characters and plot details across chapters, helping with timeline checks, plot holes, and character tracking. The revision feature produces editorial letters that critique plot logic, prose style, and structure, ranking issues by severity. The knowledge base auto-populates when importing existing manuscripts, and the platform supports offline work with cloud sync, daily word goals, and export to TXT, Markdown, DOCX, and PDF (Pro). ShyEditor is trusted by over 20,000 writers and offers a free tier with basic features.

Key Features

Story Engine generates synopsis and chapter outline from a premise
Distraction-free editor with AI sentence suggestions that adapt to your voice
Story-aware AI chat that remembers characters, places, and events across the entire manuscript
Revision tool produces editorial letters with scene-level critique and ranked revision plans
Auto-populated knowledge base from imported manuscripts (Word/TXT)
Intelligent grammar checker that recognizes invented names
Word goals, streaks, and detailed writing statistics
Version control with full change history and revision comparison
Export to TXT, Markdown, DOCX, and PDF with preset formatting for novels, APA, MLA
Bibliographies and citations with automatic source import from URLs or identifiers

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Purpose-built for novelists, not a generic chatbot added to a text editor
  • Story-aware AI retains context across the entire book, avoiding repetition
  • Auto-generates knowledge base from imported manuscripts, saving setup time
  • Revision reports mimic editorial feedback, useful for self-editing
  • Offline mode allows writing anywhere without internet dependence
  • Free tier available with useful features for getting started
Cons
  • Free plan limited to 20 AI credits per month and 100MB file storage
  • Export options limited to TXT on free plan; Markdown, DOCX, PDF require Pro subscription
  • Full editorial reports and deep research features are paid-only
  • AI assistance may not suit non-fiction or poetry as the tool is optimized for novel writing

Best For

Planning a novel from premise to chapter outlineDrafting fiction with AI writing assistance that follows your voiceGetting substantive editorial feedback on plot, pacing, and proseChecking manuscript timeline and character consistencyImporting and organizing existing drafts into a structured knowledge baseFormatting and exporting manuscripts for submission or self-publishingWriting with daily word goals and progress trackingManaging research notes, character profiles, and worldbuilding elements

FAQ

Can I work offline with ShyEditor?
Yes, all changes are saved locally on your device and sync when you reconnect to the internet.
Does ShyEditor work with an existing manuscript I already started?
Yes. You can import your Word or text file, and the knowledge base automatically builds itself by extracting characters, places, and events from your draft.
What export formats are available?
The free plan exports to TXT. The Pro plan adds export to Markdown, DOCX, and PDF with preset formatting for novels, APA, MLA, and more.
Is there a free plan?
Yes, the Basic plan is free forever and includes 20 AI assistant credits per month, 100MB file storage, unlimited projects, intelligent writing assistance, and basic editor features.
How does the AI help with writing?
ShyEditor provides AI sentence suggestions when you're stuck, a story-aware chatbot that answers questions about your manuscript's timeline and characters, intelligent grammar checking, and detailed revision reports that critique plot logic, pacing, and prose style.