Fastest Way to Write a Book with AI in 2026: SidekickWriter vs Sudowrite vs Novelcrafter

Fastest Way to Write a Book with AI in 2026: SidekickWriter vs Sudowrite vs Novelcrafter

Finding the fastest way to write a book with AI has become the "holy grail" for modern authors. Whether you are a novelist struggling with writer’s block, an entrepreneur wanting to share your expertise, or an academic tackling a complex thesis, the landscape of AI writing tools in 2026 offers more power than ever before. But speed isn’t just about how fast the AI can "type"—it’s about how quickly you can move from a rough idea to a polished, structured, and publishable manuscript.

In this comprehensive guide, we compare the top contenders for the title of the fastest way to write a book. We’ll look at the industry giants like Sudowrite and Novelcrafter, and see how they stack up against the specialized workflow of SidekickWriter.

In this guide you will learn

1. The critical difference between "AI generators" and "AI co-pilots"
2. How to shave months off your writing schedule using a 7-step workflow
3. A detailed feature comparison of the top 3 AI book writing tools
4. Why SidekickWriter is the fastest way to write a book with AI for multi-genre authors
5. Common pitfalls to avoid when using AI to write your first draft

1. The Core Difference: Automation vs. Co-Creation

When searching for a fast way to write a book, most authors fall into one of two camps. Some want a "push-button" solution that generates a 50,000-word book in seconds. Others want a tool that understands their unique voice and helps them navigate the complexities of character arcs and research.

Sudowrite & Novelcrafter Philosophy

Sudowrite and Novelcrafter are primarily designed for fiction authors. They excel at "prose expansion"—taking a few sentences and turning them into rich, descriptive paragraphs. They are fantastic for creative exploration, but they often require significant manual management of "story bibles" and complex interfaces.

SidekickWriter Philosophy

SidekickWriter is built for completion. It recognizes that the fastest way to write a book is a structured, guided journey. It doesn’t just give you a blank page and a "generate" button; it walks you through a 7-step process from idea to final export. This workflow-first approach is what allows authors to finish a full-length book in as little as 1 to 2 hours.

2. Feature Comparison Table

To find the fastest way to write a book with AI, you need the right tools in your belt. Here is how the top platforms compare across the features that actually matter for speed and quality.

3. What Sudowrite Is Best At

Sudowrite has long been a favorite for "pantsers"—writers who fly by the seat of their pants. It is arguably the best tool for:

• Sensory Descriptions: Using the "Describe" tool to add sight, sound, and smell to a scene.
• Rewrite & Refine: Highlighting a section and asking the AI to make it "more intense" or "more descriptive."
• Brainstorming: Generating names, plot twists, and descriptions on the fly.

Sudowrite is most satisfying when you enjoy the act of "editing" AI prose line-by-line rather than focusing on rapid book completion.

4. What Novelcrafter Is Best At

Novelcrafter is the "architect’s" tool. It shines when you want:

• Granular Control: A very technical interface that allows you to manage every detail of your "Codex" (story bible).
• Multiple Model Support: You can connect your own API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) to use specific AI models.
• Scene Planning: Detailed scene-by-scene planning tools.

Novelcrafter is most valuable for technical authors who want to "tinker" with the AI settings and manage a massive database of world-building notes.

5. Pricing Comparison (2026)

6. The Practical Difference in Daily Use

If you are looking for the fastest way to write a book with AI, the "daily use" experience is where SidekickWriter pulls ahead.

The Problem with Most Tools

In tools like Sudowrite or ChatGPT, you often have to "babysit" the AI. You have to remind it what happened in Chapter 1 while you’re writing Chapter 10. You have to manually copy and paste text between documents. This "management overhead" is the biggest enemy of speed.

The SidekickWriter Advantage

SidekickWriter uses a Context-Aware Engine. Because you follow the 7-step workflow, the AI already knows your main idea, your characters, and your outline. When it writes Chapter 5, it "remembers" that your protagonist lost their keys in Chapter 2. This continuity means you spend less time correcting the AI and more time finishing your book.

A simple way to think about it:

• Sudowrite is like a high-end paintbrush. It’s great for detail, but you still have to do all the painting.
• SidekickWriter is like a professional construction crew. You provide the blueprints (or use theirs), and they build the house while you supervise.

7. Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Sudowrite if:

1. You are a fiction-only author.
2. You want to focus on "show, don’t tell" prose.
3. You have plenty of time to manually refine every scene.

Choose Novelcrafter if:

1. You have a massive, complex series with hundreds of characters.
2. You are technically savvy and want to manage your own API keys.
3. You enjoy a "project management" style interface for your writing.

Choose SidekickWriter if:

1. You want the fastest book completion possible (Idea to EPUB in 1-2 hours).
2. You write across multiple genres (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Business, Academic).
3. You need real research with academic citations for your work.
4. You want a tool that handles the "boring" parts of formatting and continuity for you.
5. You want to start for free with 21+ professional writing tools.

8. The Fastest 3-Step Workflow for Your First Book

If you want to finish your book by this time tomorrow, follow this accelerated SidekickWriter workflow:

Step 1: Use the "Random Idea" or Title Generator

Don’t wait for inspiration. Use the built-in Free Book Title Generator to spark a concept. Select your genre (e.g., "Thriller" or "Business") and let the AI propose 10 unique hooks.

Step 2: Generate the 7-Step Foundation

Input your chosen idea into the SidekickWriter dashboard. Follow the prompts for Writing Style, Character Development, and Outline Generation. Let the AI suggest the details—you just click "Refine" or "Approve."

Step 3: Stream and Export

Hit "Generate Book." Watch as the AI streams your chapters in real-time, maintaining perfect continuity. Once finished, export directly to EPUB or DOCX, ready for Amazon KDP or your editor.

Final Note

The fastest way to write a book with AI isn’t about finding the smartest AI; it’s about finding the smartest workflow. SidekickWriter is the only platform designed from the ground up to take you from a blank page to a finished manuscript without the typical "AI friction."

Stop staring at the blinking cursor. Start your journey today.

Try SidekickWriter for Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to write a book with AI?

The fastest way is using a guided workflow tool like SidekickWriter. By following a structured process—Idea, Style, Characters, Outline, Chapters—you eliminate the "blank page syndrome" and allow the AI to maintain continuity, which can reduce writing time from months to just 1-2 hours.

Can I write a full book with Sudowrite or Novelcrafter?

Yes, you can write full books with both, but they are primarily designed for fiction. They require more manual effort to manage plot points and character details compared to SidekickWriter’s end-to-end automated workflow.

Which tool is fastest for writing a non-fiction or business book?

SidekickWriter is significantly faster for non-fiction. It includes a dedicated "Academic & Research" mode that can search the web and academic databases to provide real citations—something Sudowrite and Novelcrafter do not offer.

Is it possible to write a 50,000-word novel in one day?

With SidekickWriter’s streaming generation and automated chapter descriptions, writing a 50,000-word draft in a single day is entirely possible. The AI handles the heavy lifting of drafting, allowing the author to focus on high-level creative direction and final editing.

Do these tools support academic citations?

Currently, SidekickWriter is the leader in this space, supporting APA, MLA, Chicago, and other citation styles through its integrated research engine. Generic AI writers often hallucinate facts, but SidekickWriter fetches real source data.

How do I get started with SidekickWriter?

You can start for free by visiting sidekickwriter.com. You’ll get immediate access to the 21+ free writing tools and can begin your first book project in minutes.