10 Best Software to Write a Book with Pictures

Here are 10 reviews of software options for writing a 3,000 word blog post about the best software for writing a book with pictures:

Adobe InDesign

InDesign is arguably the best software for layout and design of books containing both text and images. It gives you precise control over typography and provides robust tools for manipulating images and graphics inline with text. InDesign enables full customization of book formatting and layout. The learning curve is steep, but for beautiful book design with integrated visuals, InDesign is hard to beat. The downside is it’s overkill for simple blog posts.

Scrivener

Scrivener is renowned for long-form writing, especially fiction and non-fiction books. While not designed for layout, it contains helpful tools for incorporating images alongside your writing. The binder panel easily organizes text chunks and image files. Scrivener simplifies compiling your completed draft with graphics into a print or ebook document. However, fine-tuned image manipulation requires an external program. But Scrivener streamlines all aspects of book writing.

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop remains the gold standard for image editing and graphics creation. It provides unparalleled tools for tweaking images and creating custom artwork for books. Layers, masks, and adjustment tools enable powerful manipulations. Photoshop integrates seamlessly with Adobe InDesign for a book design workflow. The learning curve is extremely steep, and Photoshop is overpowered for simply inserting a few images into a blog post. But for illustrating books, Photoshop is hard to top.

Procreate

Procreate is dubbed the Photoshop for iPad, offering robust digital illustration tools. Its natural brush engines simulate real artistic media. Procreate streamlines compositing images and layers into book-worthy graphics. Easy exporting and labeling help organize your artwork. For hand-drawn illustration, Procreate delivers immensely powerful tools for bring book images to life. But it involves learning many complex functions.

Canva

Canva provides user-friendly graphic design for non-designers. Its simple drag-and-drop interface makes creating book graphics and laying out text easy. Canva contains tons of font, image, and illustration options.Finished designs can be downloaded for books and blogs with transparent backgrounds. However, Canva lacks the fine-tuned control of InDesign. But for simple book images and layouts without intensive training, Canva is very capable.

Google Docs

Google Docs offers a straightforward way to combine text and images in a document. Inserting photos inline with text is simple. Images can be resized and formatted directly too. Docs contains easy collaboration features helpful for getting feedback on drafts with graphics. Overall, Docs provides a basic but capable free option for incorporating visuals into a book or blog post. But extensive customization and design tools will be lacking.

Microsoft Word

As the most common word processor, Word readily allows inserting and formatting images alongside text. Reflowing text around pictures is simple. Word also includes basic design options like text boxes and shapes to customize book layouts. Third-party add-ins can expand Word’s design capabilities too. Word facilitates collaboration on docs with images as well. Limitations include difficulty with multilayered images and lacking illustration tools. But for basic book writing, Word provides essential utilities.

Canva Print

Canva Print enables creating complete print-ready book files from start to finish. Templates expedite formatting and designing covers, spines, backs, and full book interiors. Canva Print simplifies arranging text chunks and images into book spreads. Useful tools like bleeds, margins, grids, and alignment assist polished book layouts. The files can be exported print-ready as PDFs. Canva Print provides an accessible design solution for self-publishing books with both text and visuals.

Kindle Create

Amazon’s free Kindle Create tool allows importing a completed book manuscript and turning it into an ebook. It provides templates and assists with properly formatting books with images for Kindle devices and apps. Photos are optimized and compressed. Kindle Create enables previewing the designed book. Its quick ebook conversion process retains images alongside text. For self-publishing ebooks with pictures, Kindle Create helps smooth out technical challenges.

Grammarly

While not a book design tool, Grammarly’s writing enhancement suggestions can help strengthen the text surrounding your images. The detailed grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary feedback improves writing quality and readability. Grammarly provides explanations for its improvement recommendations. The plagiarism checker also ensures all text is original. For crafting polished book content alongside graphics, Grammarly plugs into many writing programs.