Frequently Asked Questions

Where is my writing stored?

Locally, on your own device, as plain Markdown (.md) files inside a folder you choose. Penwright reads and writes only inside that folder; nothing is uploaded anywhere. Your lore cards, chapter structure, and word-count history are also stored on-device, and are backed up into that same folder as a penwright.json file.

Do I need to create an account?

No. Penwright has no accounts and no sign-in of any kind. There's nothing to register, verify, or lose access to.

Does Penwright work offline?

Yes, entirely. Penwright only goes online for two things: confirming a Pro purchase with Google Play / RevenueCat, and checking for small app updates when it starts. Neither sends anything you've written. Everything else (writing, lore, structure) works with no connection at all.

Is there an AI assistant in Penwright?

No. Penwright has no AI assistant or chatbot, and it doesn't generate, suggest, or rewrite your prose. It's a set of tools for organizing and drafting your own writing. Nothing more.

How do I back up my work?

Because your manuscript lives as real files in a folder you picked, you can back it up however you already back up files: copy the folder, put it in a sync tool of your choice (Syncthing, Drive, Dropbox, etc.), or export a copy. Penwright also keeps snapshots of older versions of a scene and can make a one-tap backup. Keep at least one copy somewhere other than the phone.

Will an app update touch my projects?

No. Updates are tested against saved data from earlier versions, and your scenes are plain files in your own folder. If you ever open a project saved by a newer version than the one installed, Penwright keeps that data intact when it saves.

How much is Pro, and what does it add?

$1.99/month or $24.99 once, billed through Google Play. Both unlock the same things: no project or lore-card limits, every calendar, linked series, more typefaces and .docx / .epub / .rtf / .pdf export. Importing and AO3 posting are free. The Pricing page has the full free-vs-Pro table.

What happens to my projects or lore cards if I let Pro lapse?

Nothing is deleted. If you're over the free limits (more than 3 active projects, or more than 12 lore cards in a project), everything stays exactly as it is; you just can't add new projects or lore cards until you're back under the limit or resubscribe.

What is series linking?

A Pro feature that links two or more projects together as a series, so their lore cards and [[wiki-links]] are shared across every book in it. Handy if your characters and world carry over from one novel to the next. Unlinking a project, and any series formed before a downgrade, always keeps working: reading shared lore is never blocked.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Open Google Play > tap your profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions > Penwright > Cancel. Pro access continues until the end of the period you've already paid for.

How do I restore my purchase on a new device?

Open Penwright > Settings > Restore Purchases, signed into the same Google account that made the original purchase.

Does Penwright support E-Ink devices?

Yes. E-Ink mode switches to a pure black-and-white palette with no animations, and supports volume-key page-turning. It switches on by itself on Boox, Bigme, Moaan, Meebook, PocketBook and Hisense devices, and you can turn it on by hand on any other.

Can I bring in a book I've already written?

Yes, for free. Import takes a Word (.docx), EPUB, RTF, HTML, Markdown or plain-text file, or text you paste in, and splits it into chapters and scenes. You check the split on a review screen before anything is saved, and it tells you anything it moved, renamed or left unnumbered. Outlines and story bibles import the same way. A new project from an import counts toward the free plan's three; importing into a project you already have doesn't.

You can also open an existing folder of Markdown files in place, such as a synced folder from another writing app or a Penwright backup. Nothing gets moved or converted. Old Word .doc, Pages and PDF files can't be read, and neither can other apps' own project formats; export them to .docx first.

How does the Codex link my characters?

Auto-linking is on by default. When you write the name of a character, place or anything else that has a Codex card, it becomes a link to that card, and the card lists every scene it appears in. To make a new card, type [[ and a name. If you'd rather link by hand, switch auto-linking off in Settings.

Can it handle a long book?

Yes. Large manuscripts open and switch between tabs without stalling, and a very long scene is edited a window at a time so typing stays quick. The compile preview shows a loading message while a big book is put together.

Can I post to AO3 from Penwright?

Yes, and it's free. AO3 doesn't take file uploads, so Compile › Format › AO3 gives you each chapter as AO3-ready HTML with a Copy button, plus your title, rating, tags, summary and notes, saved with the project for next time. Paste each chapter into the HTML tab of AO3's text box. Penwright counts characters the way AO3 does and warns you before a chapter is too long, too short or empty.