PB Author Tools on the web
The full toolbox in your browser—word counts without art notes, readability scores, and word clouds. Nothing to install; just paste in your manuscript and go.
Open the web appFree writing tools for picture book authors
PB Author Tools
Calculate manuscript word count while automatically subtracting your art notes—plus readability level, word clouds, and one-click art-note formatting. Use it free in your browser, or add the extension to Google Docs.
What it does
Built for picture book manuscripts
Picture book word counts can be a pain—illustration notes shouldn't contribute to the word count. PB Author Tools handles that automatically, and adds some other cool features that picture book writers will appreciate.
- Accurate manuscript word counts that automatically subtract art notes.
- Highlight art notes on demand so you can double-check exactly what's being counted.
- Easily reformat every art note at once—toggle italics, change the color, or change alignment.
- Plus, readability-level insights, tools to highlight repetitive word choices, and more...
Two ways to use it
Pick whichever fits how you write. Both are completely free.
PB Author Tools for Google Docs
A Google Docs add-on that brings accurate word counts and one-click art-note formatting right into the document you're already writing in.
Install for Google DocsAdd it to Google Docs
Install the free add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace—it takes about a minute.
- In your Google Doc, open the Extensions menu, then Add-ons → Get add-ons.
- Search the Google Workspace Marketplace for "PB Author Tools" and open the listing.
- Click Install, then press Continue when prompted.
- Review the permissions and click Allow. They let the add-on format notes in your document—it only edits the doc you're working in, only when you ask, and never collects or stores anything.
- Use it any time from Extensions → PB Author Tools.
Heads up: The add-on only works in native Google Docs. If you're editing a Word (.docx) file inside Google Drive, you won't see the Extensions menu—choose File → Save as Google Docs first.
Help & more
Everything else you might need for the Google Docs add-on.
