Indie novelist details replacing Word and InDesign with a Git-tracked, developer-friendly book production workflow

An independent novelist and software developer explains why he moved beyond the conventional Word, InDesign, Calibre, and Kindle Create workflow for self-publishing. He argues that while story and prose matter most, book formatting is a technical bottleneck where a Git-tracked pipeline can offer better version control and repeatability.

The piece reflects a broader trend of creators adopting software-engineering practices to control publishing workflows and reduce dependence on expensive proprietary tools. For technically inclined authors, plain-text production and version control can make book creation more transparent, automated, and resilient.