Shy Editor
Shy Editor, once known as Pencil, is an AI-empowered writing environment that assists various types of writers: novelists, non-fiction writ...
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What is Shy Editor?
ShyEditor is a modern AI-native writing environment designed for all types of text, trusted by over 20,000 writers including novelists, non-fiction writers, students, academics, bloggers, content creators, journalists, and lawyers. It is an online text editor and writing environment that helps users plan, write, edit, and organize their projects with AI-driven features seamlessly integrated into the workflow.
Key features include an AI assistant that breaks through writer's block and refines work, an intelligent grammar checker that goes beyond basic spell checking with contextual recommendations, smart feedback from specialized AI, Markdown editing with photos/tables/todo lists, full version control with change history, comprehensive organizational tools with tags and smart search, notes, knowledge base for research tracking, file library for project-related files, and bibliographies/citations with APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and IEEE formatting support.
The tool is for anyone who works with text - from novelists crafting bestsellers to journalists working on articles to students writing academic papers. It offers a distraction-free environment with 12+ beautiful themes, detailed stats for tracking writing goals, and easy sharing with exports to TXT, PDF, DOCX, and Markdown formats. ShyEditor brings together everything a writer needs into one seamless workspace, eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps.
ShyEditor empowers writers rather than replacing them, acting as a trusted partner that deeply understands your project and adapts to your writing style to help achieve writing goals quickly and effortlessly.
Shy Editor pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Basic (Free): 20 AI Assistant credits per month, 100MB file storage, unlimited projects for individuals, intelligent writing assistance, all basic editor features, writing goals and stats, export to txt. Pro ($10 per month): Everything in Basic plus 500 AI Assistant credits per month, 5GB file storage, 12+ color themes, AI image generation, export to markdown/pdf/docx, intelligent search, personalised AI writing styles, deep research, early access to new features, and priority email support. Both plans include unlimited projects, markdown editor, scratchpad, notes/knowledge base/file library, corkboard view, cloud sync, AI writing advice, intelligent grammar checker, bibliographies, in-text citations, automatic source import, writing stats, version control, and export to TXT.
Shy Editor pros
- AI assistant understands your project and adapts to writing style
- Intelligent grammar checker with contextual stylistic improvements
- Smart feedback with actionable comments as you write
- Markdown editor supporting text, photos, tables, and todo lists
- Full version control with complete change history
- Comprehensive organizational tools with tags, labels, and smart search
- Integrated notes for quick thoughts without distraction
- Knowledge base with AI-suggested entities and templates
- File library to store and access project files without switching apps
- Bibliographies and citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, IEEE styles
- 12+ beautiful themes reducing eye strain during long sessions
- Detailed stats for tracking writing goals and progress
- Export to TXT, PDF, DOCX, and Markdown formats
- Distraction-free environment with clean interface
- Works for novels, academic papers, blog posts, articles, marketing materials
- Automatic source import from any webpage or by identifier
- AI image generation feature in Pro plan
- Deep research capability in Pro plan
- Personalised AI writing styles in Pro plan
- Unlimited projects on both Basic and Pro plans
- Intelligent search functionality in Pro plan
- Priority email support for Pro subscribers
- Early access to new features for Pro users
- Cloud sync for seamless project access
Shy Editor cons
- Only 20 AI Assistant credits per month on free Basic plan
- Limited 100MB file storage on Basic plan
- No PDF or DOCX export on free plan
- No AI image generation on Basic plan
- No deep research on Basic plan
- No personalised AI writing styles on Basic plan
- 20MB maximum file upload size limit
- Project type cannot be changed after creation
- No priority support on free plan
- Some advanced AI features require Pro upgrade
Frequently asked questions about Shy Editor
Can I use Shy Editor for free?
Yes, Shy Editor offers a free version (Basic plan) that provides access to most features, unlimited projects, and real-time writing support, making it an excellent choice for writers getting started. The free plan includes 20 AI Assistant credits per month, 100MB file storage, intelligent writing assistance, all basic editor features, writing goals and stats, and export to txt. For users with more extensive writing needs, Shy Editor offers a paid Pro version at $10/month that unlocks additional features and improved AI assistance.
Does Shy Editor use GPT-4.5?
Shy Editor uses a wide variety of modern AI models including OpenAI GPT-4.5 and Claude Sonnet 3.7, in addition to their own custom models and algorithms, to bring the best writing assistance possible. This multi-model approach ensures users get high-quality AI assistance tailored to different writing tasks.
Does Shy Editor plagiarize?
Shy Editor will never intentionally plagiarize. The AI generates responses based on patterns and information from its training data, which includes licensed data, data created by human trainers, and publicly available data. It does not copy text verbatim from sources unless specifically asked to generate a direct quote or citation. However, it is possible that AI responses might occasionally contain sentences that also happen to be on the web, so it's good practice to check for accuracy and originality, especially for academic or professional writing where proper attribution is important.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes, Shy Editor does not share personal information or credit card data with third parties. They process data according to their policy pages which detail how user information is handled and protected.
Will I retain copyright over text I write with Shy Editor?
Yes, you own copyright related to all content you produce using Shy Editor. The tool empowers writers and does not claim ownership over your written work.
What types of projects can I create in Shy Editor?
Shy Editor supports multiple project types: Novel (for long-form fiction/non-fiction with character and plot tools), Story (for short stories and novellas), Article (for journalistic pieces and blog posts), Academic writing (for research papers, thesis, dissertations with citation management), Business writing (for reports and marketing copy), Notebook (for brainstorming and note-taking), and Custom (for complete control with all features enabled). The project type affects which tools are available by default and how the project is structured.
What AI models does Shy Editor support?
Shy Editor supports multiple modern AI models including OpenAI GPT-4.5 and Claude Sonnet 3.7, plus their own custom models and algorithms. Users can select from capable models that excel in creative output with nuanced understanding of tone and style for intricate writing tasks.
How do I contact support?
For customer support, you can reach Shy Editor via email at [email protected]. Pro plan subscribers receive priority email support, while Basic (free) users have standard support access.
What citation formats does Shy Editor support?
Shy Editor supports bibliographies and citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and IEEE styles. You can seamlessly add sources, produce perfect bibliographies, automatically import sources from any webpage or by identifier, and export bibliographies in your preferred format.
What file formats can I export my work to?
Shy Editor allows export to TXT, PDF, DOCX, and Markdown formats. The free Basic plan includes export to TXT only, while the Pro plan ($10/month) adds export to Markdown, PDF, and DOCX.