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Compile a manuscript

Prepare Word submissions, styled manuscripts, EPUBs, and print PDFs.

Browser editing requires a purchased license and Workspace sync. Desktop writing needs an active trial or license, without sync. Reading, search, and export of available work remain accessible. Check access requirements.

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Choose the destination

Compiling existing writing is an export and remains available in read-only mode for your Personal writing. In a team Workspace it needs the Export or Admin role. Editing the manuscript, its saved metadata, or saved presets still requires write access; you do not need to unlock editing just to download the available output.

  1. Open a chapter of the book and choose Export at the top of the window. The Export manuscript panel opens for that book.
  2. Under Export for, choose the output. Submission package creates separate title-page, sample, and synopsis files; Manuscript (.docx) creates one standard manuscript; Word, styled uses named styles for editing.
  3. For publication formats, choose EPUB or Print PDF. For portable text, choose Everything, as Markdown or Everything, as plain text; these carry every chapter and World record, not just this book.

Review what goes into the book

Open Manuscript chapters to review the list and reading order. The export covers the selected book; chapters marked Not compiled, such as reference material from an import, are left out and stay in your World.

When offered, use Include to choose 3 chapters, 10,000 words, or Entire manuscript. Review the title page (Include title page, Edit title page), author information, synopsis, and other supplied matter. A submission synopsis comes from the synopses you wrote for your chapters; choosing a submission package does not generate it.

Set the output’s typography

  • Word outputs offer Times New Roman or Courier. Standard-format spacing, margins, and the running head are shown in the summary rather than chosen.
  • Print PDF offers trim size; available sizes include 6 × 9, 5½ × 8½, 5¼ × 8, and 5 × 8 inches. Inspect margins, pagination, and embedded type in the finished PDF.
  • Manuscript view shows the book’s page layout, and each output format sets its own. The writing toolbar’s type controls set your editing comfort. Don’t assume one is a substitute for the other.
  • Save these choices as a preset… remembers them for future use. Give it a descriptive name and revisit it if the recipient’s requirements change.

Inspect before delivering

  1. Run the compile and wait for the result rather than closing during export.
  2. Open the generated file in its intended reader or editor. Check chapter starts, emphasis, title page, headings, and any special characters.
  3. Compare the result with the agent’s or printer’s current requirements. An offered format is not a guarantee that a particular service will accept every manuscript.
  4. Keep a full World copy separately so the finished output is not your only backup.