If you’re anything like me, writing can sometimes feel a bit like a rollercoaster! Some days the words will flow, and other days you stare at that blinking cursor, hoping something, anything, will show up!
That’s why I’m so excited about the project I recently worked on with Phaedra Elson from Batty Spreadsheets. Phaedra is the queen of spreadsheets, btw!
We launched a freebie, ‘November word count sheet’ in The November Writing Room, and the feedback was fabulous. Nearly everyone who used it said it helped them stay motivated, track progress, and see real movement on their projects throughout November.
That inspired us to go bigger! The result is the year-long version of the Author Word Count Calendar, a 12-month, reusable tool to help you track word counts and writing progress.
What Is the Author Word Count Calendar?
Here’s what Phaedra had to say about The Author Word Count Calendar.
“It’s a simple, clear Excel spreadsheet designed as a writing ‘dashboard.’ Think of it as your brand-new writing buddy. You can use it for all kinds of writing projects (YA fantasy, romance, memoirs, business books or even your blogs).”
What do you get? The spreadsheet has a title page, instructions, space for book/project details, and then one tab per month for a full 12 months. With it, you can log daily or weekly word counts, watch your progress build over time, and track as many projects as you like. It isn’t a one-off tool for a single project, but a long-term system, ideal if you’re writing books regularly, juggling multiple projects, or want to get serious about seeing your writing habits.
Why This Matters (Especially If You Don’t Use Scrivener)
If you’re not using writing-specific software like Scrivener (and instead write in Word or even jot down ideas in a notebook), the Author Word Count Calendar is a game-changer.
I can no longer rely on my memory (IYKYK!), and my office is overflowing with messy notebooks. I’ve lost track of which draft is where or which day I hit 1,500 words.
When I used Phaedra’s spreadsheet in November, not only did I have everything in one place, but I could easily see how much I’d written each day/week. It made the deadline dancing a lot easier!
Feedback in The November Writing Room:
“Working on the November freebie version with Phaedra was an incredible experience. It gave us real insight into what writers need: clarity, simplicity, and flexibility.”
Writers told us that having a daily target helped them show up “even when they didn’t feel like writing.”
Who is This For?
This spreadsheet is perfect if:
- You write in Word (or a plain text editor) rather than a writing program.
- You tend to bounce between multiple projects.
- You like clear, visual tracking rather than relying on memory or notebooks.
- You want to build a sustainable writing habit.
If you’re a set-it-and-forget-it type of writer or don’t care about tracking progress day-to-day, this might feel like overkill, but for anyone serious about completing their book, then the structure and accountability this offers can make all the difference.
Why Word Count Tracking Isn’t Just for Serious Authors
Tracking word count sometimes gets a bad rap! You might not be in it for the numbers, and that’s fine, but I’ve learned that for all of the new writers I work with, it’s less about the numbers and more about the accountability and momentum.
With the Author Word Count Calendar, you’re not setting yourself up to stress over hitting 5,000 words a day, but giving yourself a gentle nudge to show up.
Interested? Click the link and kick off your 2026 writing projects with an organisational boost: https://battyspreadsheets.co.uk/downloads/author-word-count-calendar/
Connect with Phaedra HERE.
For more support, advice, and encouragement with your writing projects, join my Free Facebook Group: Start Writing Your Book.
Shelley Wilson Author 