Plan editorial calendars, track production, and manage contributors in publishing management software built with AI to fit your workflow.




Customize your publishing management software with the exact steps and views your team needs. Add features as processes evolve—no code needed.






Connect manuscripts, production schedules, and contributor contracts with real-time sync—or manage everything in Softr Databases. Create one source of truth for your titles.
Give each editor and production manager the right tools and access. Set up secure logins, user groups, and granular permissions—no IT support or dev work needed.
Give editors, proofreaders, and designers tailored access and dashboards, so every role sees only the production tasks that matter to them.
Give editors, proofreaders, and designers tailored access and dashboards, so every role sees only the production tasks that matter to them.
Streamline operations with Softr Workflows. Trigger native notifications for manuscript deadlines or status changes to keep your publication schedule on track.
Access and update your publishing tools on the go. Managers can review production statuses or approve contributor contracts from any mobile device.
Use Google, email, or SSO logins to give your internal team fast, secure access—no IT tickets or complex setup required.
Keep sensitive intellectual property and contributor data safe with SOC2 and GDPR compliance, plus fine-tuned access control at every level.
No more one-size-fits-all tools or costly custom builds. Softr is easy to use and fully customizable, so you can launch faster, adapt as you grow, and skip the complexity of traditional software.

Build your publishing management software in minutes with AI—no manual configuration or coding needed.

Add features like contract approvals or production dashboards as your imprint grows—without needing a rebuild.

Start with production tracking, then add a submission portal and contributor CRM—all in one place.
Co-build with AI
Simply describe what you need. Let Softr handle everything - Interface, database, workflows.
Iterate with AI or visually
Control most critical parts of your app yourself - roles, permissions, security.
Ship the same day
Invite team members or external clients and partners right away. No developer handover.
Use drag-and-drop blocks to build a portal that looks sleek and modern out of the box. Add only the features you need, and iterate as your workflows evolve.




Publishing management software is a dedicated workspace where editors, authors, and production teams can log in to manage titles, manuscripts, review cycles, and publication dates. It centralizes every stage of the editorial workflow in one place, eliminating the need for fragmented email chains and disconnected spreadsheets. This helps publishing houses stay on schedule and provide a streamlined experience for both contributors and internal staff.
Softr is the first AI-native platform for building business software. It allows you to build publishing management software that mirrors your specific editorial and production workflows. You can describe your unique publishing process to the AI Co-Builder to instantly generate your title database, project pages, and approval logic—all fully connected and secure.
You don't need any coding skills. You can start by generating with AI, using a template, or building from scratch. Everything runs on Softr Databases, the native, relational database built into the platform, or you can connect external tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, or HubSpot to manage your author CRM and project archives. You have full control to brand the interface to match your publishing house, manage permissions for freelancers and staffers, and adapt the system as your catalog grows.
You can include a wide range of features in your publishing management software to handle everything from pitch to print. A professional setup usually combines classic project management blocks with AI-powered intelligence:
- AI-Powered Intelligence – Use Ask AI to query your book metadata conversationally, or set up Database AI Agents to automatically summarize manuscripts or research competitor titles.
- Vibe Coding Blocks – Build custom UI elements—like a dynamic book cover gallery or a custom production timeline—using the AI Code block to "vibe code" the exact interface your editors need.
- Softr Workflows – Build native automations (like an automatic email notification when a manuscript stage changes from 'Editing' to 'Design') that trigger whenever a record is updated.
- Contributor Portals & Logins – Securely manage access so authors only see their specific royalty statements and manuscript status, while editors oversee the full publication list.
- Manuscript Submission Forms – Capture new proposals with custom forms, file uploads for drafts, and conditional logic for genre routing.
- Editorial Dashboards – Visualize your production queue and release calendars with real-time charts and gantt-style summaries.
- Metadata Lists & Advanced Filtering – Manage your ISBNs, publication dates, and formats with searchable tables and kanban boards for tracking production stages.
Everything is built using Softr's drag-and-drop blocks, and if you need a unique component for your specific niche, you can use the Vibe Coding block to generate it with AI.
Vibe coding allows you to move at the speed of thought, using AI to build the exact publishing tools you need. You can "vibe code" your publishing management software in Softr by describing your editorial requirements—such as tracking draft iterations or peer reviews—to the AI Co-Builder. Softr then generates a production-ready application on a secure, stable foundation.
Unlike other tools that generate raw code that breaks easily, Softr handles the heavy lifting—like secure manuscript storage, user authentication for authors, and database logic—natively. This provides the speed of vibe coding without the technical debt of managing custom code. You describe the workflow, Softr builds the software, and your editorial team can start managing titles instantly.
Yes. You can manage multiple imprints, editorial teams, or outside agencies in a single software instance. Each user—whether an acquisitions editor, proofreader, or author—only sees the manuscripts and metadata assigned to them based on their specific role. This is ideal for large publishing houses or independent presses that work with various stakeholders across different genres.
Yes, you can. You don't need an existing database to start building your publishing management software with Softr. If you're starting from scratch, Softr Databases is built into the platform to store your title lists, author contacts, and production schedules perfectly.
If you do have data residing in tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, or SQL, you can connect those as well. You can even use the REST API connector to sync with external distribution platforms. Regardless of the source, you have full control over how your publishing data is structured and displayed.
Softr Databases is the recommended native, relational data source for your project. It is built for business software, offering high performance and instant automation for high-volume publishing catalogs. Because the data is native, it provides a lightning-fast experience for your editorial staff.
If your data is already in place, Softr connects to 17+ external sources including Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, and BigQuery. You can even combine sources—for example, storing manuscript files in Softr Databases while pulling author marketing data from HubSpot. Most sources support real-time, two-way sync, ensuring your editorial team and agents always see the latest updates.
Yes, Softr gives you total control over how team members experience the publishing management software. You can customize the layout and navigation to match your internal workflows. Each page or block can be visibility-controlled based on login status; for instance, a freelance proofreader can see the manuscript they are working on, but not the financial royalty data for other authors.
You can set up granular roles—such as Editor-in-Chief, Author, Designer, or Admin—and define exactly what each can view or modify. This ensures that sensitive information like contract terms stays private, while production timelines remain transparent for the whole team. This level of customization keeps your publishing operations clean, secure, and highly efficient.
Yes, you can fully white-label your publishing management software. You can apply your house's logo, brand colors, custom fonts, and host it on your own custom domain (e.g., portal.publishername.com). By removing Softr branding, you provide a professional, unified experience that feels like a custom-built solution for your authors and partners.
Yes, Softr provides extensive flexibility to control the design of your publishing workspace. You can adjust colors, fonts, and page structures to fit your brand identity. You can strategically place blocks to create the perfect editorial overview or author submission portal.
To manage your publishing data, you can utilize various blocks:
- Table blocks – to track ISBNs, prices, and inventory across your catalog
- List or Card blocks – to showcase active book projects or author profiles
- Detail View – to provide a comprehensive look at a single title's production status
- Forms – for manuscript submissions and peer review feedback
- Charts – to track sales trends or production bottlenecks
- Calendar blocks – to visualize publication dates and marketing milestones
If your production needs change, you can easily drag-and-drop new elements in the visual builder to update the tool.
Softr is built with enterprise-grade security. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, ensuring manuscript intellectual property is protected. You have full control over visibility through role-based permissions and global restrictions.
For apps using Softr Databases, data is stored in a secure environment in Europe (Germany) with SOC 2 Type II compliance. For apps connected to external sources like Airtable or SQL, Softr simply displays the data in real-time without storing it locally. You manage the access levels, so sensitive author contracts or unreleased drafts are only accessible by authorized personnel.
It is fully production-ready. Unlike many AI tools that generate raw code that is difficult to secure or maintain, Softr builds your publishing software on a stable, professional foundation.
We handle the complex underlying architecture—like author authentication, secure file hosting for manuscripts, and granular permissions—natively. This means you skip the typical bugs associated with raw code and get a scalable system that is ready for your editorial team to use from day one.
Softr is the first AI-native platform designed for custom business software. While traditional no-code tools require manual setup of every button and field, and "vibe coding" tools produce fragile scripts, Softr’s AI Co-Builder creates structured apps on a secure, production-ready foundation.
It offers the hybrid advantage: using AI to build your initial database and app structure in minutes, while providing a visual editor for fine-tuning. This allows non-technical editorial teams to move from a prototype to a fully-featured publishing management system with built-in roles, permissions, and professional hosting without any delay.
Yes. Softr supports powerful native workflows and integrations to connect your publishing software to your existing tech stack. You can automate project triggers—like alerting a designer when a manuscript is approved—or sync author royalty payments with Stripe. Softr also supports REST API and webhooks for advanced needs.
Whether you need to send title updates to an e-commerce store, trigger automated social media posts for book launches, or pull inventory data from a printer, you can build those connections directly into your software without writing code.
Describe what you need. Softr's AI builds your customized project management system in minutes.