How to install The Novelist
Installation is a little different on each operating system. Choose your platform below and follow the steps in order.
Windows 10/11 x64
Download The Novelist
Use the official Download section and choose the Windows x64 .exe. Save the file to your computer.
Microsoft Edge warned about the download?
SmartScreen can warn about downloads that are not widely recognized. For that reputation warning, open Downloads, find the installer and open its … menu if shown. Choose Keep → Show more → Keep anyway, where offered. Button wording and order vary by Edge version.
Run the installer
Open the downloaded .exe. Windows may show another security screen before installation starts.
“Windows protected your PC”
For this unrecognized-app SmartScreen screen, click More info. Check that the application is The Novelist, then click Run anyway if offered. Continue with the installer. This is your approval, not a claim that Windows has verified the app.
Finish installation
Follow the installer prompts. Start The Novelist from its installed shortcut or the Start menu, then continue to first-run setup below.
macOS — Apple Silicon & Intel
Open Apple menu → About This Mac. If the processor says Intel, choose the mac-x64 Beta .dmg below. If it shows an Apple M1, M2, M3, M4 or later M-series chip, choose Apple Silicon / arm64. Both versions use the same installation steps.
Download the version for your Mac
Use the matching download button above. Intel remains Beta without physical Intel hardware acceptance. The existing guide recommends macOS 12 or later, without a guarantee for every Mac.
Copy the app and try opening it
Open the .dmg, drag The Novelist into Applications, then try opening it from Applications once. This first attempt lets macOS register a blocked app.
If macOS blocks The Novelist
For a warning that the developer cannot be verified or Apple cannot check the app for malicious software, dismiss it. Open Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to Security and find the message that The Novelist was blocked. Click Open Anyway, authenticate with Touch ID or your password if requested, then confirm Open. Wording varies by macOS version.
Open The Novelist
macOS normally remembers this app-specific exception. Continue to first-run setup below. If startup fails, contact support with your Mac model, macOS version and exact warning.
Linux x86_64 AppImage
Use a compatible 64-bit Linux distribution. Arch Linux has physical QA; not every distribution has been tested. AUR, Snap and .deb are not public downloads.
Download the AppImage
Choose the official Linux x86_64 AppImage and save it to your computer.
Open file properties
In your file manager, right-click the downloaded file and open Properties.
Allow this file to run
In the permissions area, enable Allow executing file as a program or the equivalent executable option. Labels differ between desktops and file managers.
Launch The Novelist
Open the AppImage normally. Your distribution may need its standard AppImage/FUSE dependencies (the Arch QA environment used fuse2). If a dependency error appears, keep the message and ask support. Do not run as root or disable the sandbox.
Why am I seeing a security warning?
Since The Novelist is still in Early Access, there's no need for me to pay Apple and Microsoft to sign it and not show warnings that the app is built from an unknown developer/source. Once it hits the Stable version, those warnings will stop being shown, and the application will also be available on the Microsoft Store and Apple App Store.
Your first launch
Keep installers separate from workspace/library data. Do not delete your writing folders as an installation step.
Open The Novelist
Launch the installed app using the method above for your platform.
Choose language and setup
Choose your language and continue Free, or use your existing Pro license.
Create or open your workspace
Confirm your workspace and the main app load normally before adding important writing. Continue with Your first book and interface.