Penpoint - New Writing App

[ChromedOutCortex]

Hey All - Hope this is OK to post here.

First off - I am not getting paid by the creator of this application. The APP is currently in an open beta, and I've been using it (well, testing it) over the last month. It is very solid, and have started to migrate a few of my stories into it and am starting to write all new content inside of Penpoint.

The website is https://penpoint.app

This is the review I left for them:

Quote

Penpoint is a writing app that brings everything a storyteller needs into one place. It lets you create detailed character sheets, track locations, manage artifacts or items, and write your story without jumping between different tools. Instead of ideas being scattered across Google Docs, notes on an iPad, and sticky notes, everything stays organized and centralized. The interface is clean, simple, and very easy to use, making it quick to focus on writing rather than figuring out complicated features. It’s a convenient workspace that helps keep both your ideas and your story structured.

I could post a dozen pictures, but you're probably better off looking at it.

He will offer the tool for free to beta testers, and thereafter will be charging a one-time fee (no subscription model) for it.

I've been trying to get to the same level of use through Google Docs + other tools (iPad + sticky notes) and really, I find this does it all in one tool.

Check it out, I think you will like it.

[Mike Carss]

I'm intrigued, and a sucker for new shiny writing tools. Being an offline desktop program and everything saved locally is certainly a breath of fresh air.

That said, I've been using Scrivener for well over a decade and very comfortable with the interface, despite it being clunky compared to newer tools like Penpoint. I'm not interested in participating in the beta, but I'll be keeping my eye on it.

Thanks for sharing.

[Ron]

I signed up for the beta and got approved around four days before Penpoint went live with the $40 version. So, I'm grandfathered in without paying and I haven't even tried it yet. When signing up I was asked how I heard about the program and I said from another tester. That would be you @ChromedOutCortex. Once I have a solid idea of the direction I want to lead my story toward, and begin using the program, I may reach out asking for input -- if you're up for it?

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[ChromedOutCortex]

10 minutes ago, Ron said:

I signed up for the beta and got approved around four days before Penpoint went live with the $40 version. So, I'm grandfathered in without paying and I haven't even tried it yet. When signing up I was asked how I heard about the program and I said from another tester. That would be you @ChromedOutCortex. Once I have a solid idea of the direction I want to lead my story toward, and begin using the program, I may reach out asking for input -- if you're up for it?

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

You bet!

I've now been using it exclusively to write and lay out my stories and am really liking how easy it is to use.

There are some features I'm not so sure about, like character arcs but I like everything else that's been added to the app.

They went live today with the first full release. :-)

[Jason Rimbaud]

So it sounds pretty interesting, so I went to the website, downloaded the app, and it asked me to purchase $40 or download a free trial. 

When I downloaded the free trial, it walked me through beginning a book, naming it, describing it, and setting up preferences, but that was as far as it went. You couldn't actually write in it or see any of the features beyond it being just a demo of how to begin a new book. 

So I'm still on the fence, I never used one before. I have a character sheet I've created, and I write in google docs, I have a hard time switching. When I use to only write in word, it took me nearly a year to get used to writing in google docs, now I use it for everything.  

 

[Mikiesboy]

I like Penpoint.  After doing the tutorials, i downloaded my latest story to it and am currently writing it in Penpoint. I need a couple of good uninterrupted hours to add to my character list etc.  I'll decide in the next week whether I'll keep it. But it's nicely laid out, easy to use and understand. It has plenty of good points. I also like the fact i could use it for 2 weeks without having to give them my credit card info. And honestly $40 for the app forever, isn't a bad deal at all. 

[Jason Rimbaud]

So I finally figured out how to work it, and while I think it would be useful to many types of writers, and the price is worth the admission alone, I won't purchase it. 

Maybe if I wrote epic fantasy or sci-fi where you need to keep things straight, but I write silly stories that are pretty simple and straightforward. I think all that extra stuff would get me trapped in the weeds and I wouldn't write in my attempt to get 100% completion. 

 

[ChromedOutCortex]

On 3/22/2026 at 4:37 PM, Jason Rimbaud said:

So it sounds pretty interesting, so I went to the website, downloaded the app, and it asked me to purchase $40 or download a free trial. 

When I downloaded the free trial, it walked me through beginning a book, naming it, describing it, and setting up preferences, but that was as far as it went. You couldn't actually write in it or see any of the features beyond it being just a demo of how to begin a new book. 

So I'm still on the fence, I never used one before. I have a character sheet I've created, and I write in google docs, I have a hard time switching. When I use to only write in word, it took me nearly a year to get used to writing in google docs, now I use it for everything.  

 

The public beta ended on Saturday, and now it's available for sale.

[ChromedOutCortex]

On 3/22/2026 at 6:44 PM, Mikiesboy said:

I like Penpoint.  After doing the tutorials, i downloaded my latest story to it and am currently writing it in Penpoint. I need a couple of good uninterrupted hours to add to my character list etc.  I'll decide in the next week whether I'll keep it. But it's nicely laid out, easy to use and understand. It has plenty of good points. I also like the fact i could use it for 2 weeks without having to give them my credit card info. And honestly $40 for the app forever, isn't a bad deal at all. 

Right! I absolutely LOVE it and their Discord is very busy with people providing suggestions and dropping issues.  I like the fact that the developer is also a writer and he fixes issues very quickly.  I don't normally get excited about any software, but this one has been a joy to use.

[ChromedOutCortex]

On 3/24/2026 at 12:20 AM, Jason Rimbaud said:

So I finally figured out how to work it, and while I think it would be useful to many types of writers, and the price is worth the admission alone, I won't purchase it. 

Maybe if I wrote epic fantasy or sci-fi where you need to keep things straight, but I write silly stories that are pretty simple and straightforward. I think all that extra stuff would get me trapped in the weeds and I wouldn't write in my attempt to get 100% completion. 

 

Def... I think if you write complex stories, with lots of characters, locations, items - it's great to help keep things organized. I've been using Google Docs for the most part and it works well, but managing character sheets, locations and items was a challenge.

I recently picked-up a 46" monitor, so I could keep multiple documents open and write but it was still a challenge.

For me, getting used to doing things this way was the learning curve (or workflow might be a better word) that I had to contend with.  I'm still learning the best way to start because usually I just map out an idea and add stuff to it and then go.  Using this APP, I have to be more conscious about what I'm doing.

[Jeff Burton]

I’m gonna take a look at it because I’m about to be back into complicated story territory with what I’m working on.