Campfire

Overview

Campfire combines manuscript software, a mobile writing app, an online eBook store, and a reading app. Its intended audience spans authors, publishers, and readers, with writing and story-planning tools alongside options for publishing and reading digital work.

The Manuscript Module handles drafting and chapter organization, while a broad set of worldbuilding modules can help authors keep track of the material around a story. Campfire also supports collaboration, and authors who publish through its store can sell eBooks and digital bonus content. Authors retain ownership and may publish elsewhere at the same time.

Campfire was founded in 2018 and uses a freemium model. It has a free plan, and its stated paid entry price is $0.50/mo; the listed Standard Monthly plan costs $19 a month.

Key features

Drafting and manuscript planning

The Manuscript Module brings drafting together with tools for organizing a book. Writers can arrange chapters on a digital corkboard using Index Card View, set word-count goals, and review writing statistics.

Worldbuilding and story reference

Campfire offers separate modules for characters, cultures, items, locations, philosophies, religions, species, systems, an encyclopedia, magic, maps, research, timelines, arcs, calendars, languages, and relationships. This range provides dedicated places to develop different parts of a fictional setting and keep related story information organized.

Collaboration, storage, and export

Users can invite as many collaborators as they want to view, comment on, or edit a project. Campfire states that it provides unlimited storage across its apps. Manuscripts can be compiled and exported as PDF or EPUB files ready for publication.

Publishing and privacy

Authors can publish eBooks and digital bonus content through Campfire, and connect an account with Stripe to receive royalties and access sales analytics. Projects remain viewable only to invited people until their owner shares or publishes them. Campfire says it backs up work with Amazon servers.

Pricing

Campfire offers a free plan and paid access. The listed plans are:

• Try For Free: free, billed monthly. It provides limited access to writing and worldbuilding modules, and no credit card is required.
• Standard Monthly: $19 a month, billed monthly. It includes access to all modules, collaboration, unlimited storage, and PDF and EPUB export.

The stated paid entry price is $0.50/mo. The listed Standard Monthly plan is priced separately at $19 a month.

Platforms

Campfire is available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. The desktop app for Mac and Windows is free and supports offline writing sessions. The CF Creators mobile writing app is available for iOS and Android but requires an internet connection.

The mobile app allows unlimited element creation but does not include every module. Free-plan element limits apply when using Campfire in a browser or on desktop. Campfire also provides version history and describes its export options as extensive.

Who it's for

Campfire is suited to authors who want manuscript drafting and story-development tools in one platform, especially those working with substantial worldbuilding or inviting collaborators to a project. Its publishing and reading apps also give publishers and readers a place in the product, although publishing through Campfire is currently limited to eBooks and digital bonus content.

Writers who need offline access should note the difference between platforms: the desktop app supports offline writing, while the mobile app requires an internet connection. Those choosing the free plan should also account for its limited module access and the element limits enforced on browser and desktop.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A wide range of worldbuilding modules; manuscript organization, writing goals, and statistics; collaboration with as many invitees as desired; unlimited storage as stated by Campfire; PDF and EPUB export.
• Cons: The mobile app requires internet and omits some modules; free-plan element limits apply on browser and desktop; publishing is currently limited to eBooks and digital bonus content.

Alternatives

For related options, see Kanka, World Anvil, Wikily, Nectory, and Obsidian Portal. Other listed alternatives include Miraheze, wiki.gg, and Fandom. Browse Book Writing Software, Writing Apps, and Game Wiki Software for more category options.

Verdict

Campfire brings drafting, manuscript organization, extensive worldbuilding modules, collaboration, and publishing tools under one roof. The breadth of its planning modules and its desktop offline mode stand out for authors building complex story settings. Before choosing a plan or platform, consider the free tier’s limits, the mobile app’s internet requirement, and whether its current publishing scope fits your needs.