Export Novel to Markdown, DOCX, or EPUB

This guide walks you through exporting a novel from a writing app into three common formats: Markdown (.md), Word (.docx), and EPUB (.epub). You’ll learn the exact steps for each format, what to check before exporting, and how to fix common problems. No special tools are required beyond your writing app and a free conversion service.

What You’ll Need

• Your novel saved in a writing app (Scrivener, Ulysses, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or similar).
• A file manager (Finder on Mac, File Explorer on Windows) to locate and rename files.
• An internet connection if you plan to use an online converter for EPUB.
• Optional: a free desktop tool like Calibre or Pandoc for more control over the final output.

Step-by-Step

Exporting to Markdown

1. Open your novel in the writing app. Make sure you have the latest version saved and all chapters are in the correct order.
2. Locate the export or share menu. In most apps this is under File > Export, File > Share, or a share icon (square with an arrow).
3. Choose Markdown as the format. If your app doesn’t list Markdown directly, look for “Plain Text” or “Text” — you can rename the file to .md later.
4. Select the scope. If your app asks, choose “Entire Manuscript” or “All Chapters” rather than just the current selection.
5. Adjust any export options. Some apps let you include a table of contents, export comments, or keep footnotes. For a clean Markdown file, turn off comments and keep headings as-is.
6. Export the file. Save it to your desktop or a folder you can find easily.
7. Rename the file extension if needed. If your app exported a .txt file, right-click the file, choose “Rename,” and change the extension to .md.
8. Check the Markdown. Open the file in a text editor (like VS Code, Notepad++, or TextEdit) and verify that headings, italics, and bold look correct (e.g., # Chapter 1 for a chapter title).

Exporting to DOCX

1. Open your novel in the writing app. Ensure all revisions are saved.
2. Go to the export menu. Same as above: File > Export or File > Share.
3. Select DOCX or Word. Most writing apps have a direct option for Microsoft Word format.
4. Choose the scope again. Pick “Entire Manuscript” to export the whole book.
5. Set page layout options. If your app asks, choose standard letter size (8.5×11) and 1-inch margins. You can also set the font to a standard like Times New Roman or Garamond.
6. Export and save. Click Export and save the .docx file to your computer.
7. Open the file in Word or Google Docs to verify that chapter breaks, page breaks, and formatting look correct.
8. If you need a different page size (like 6×9 for print), you can adjust that later in Word or Google Docs under Page Setup.

Exporting to EPUB

1. Check if your writing app supports EPUB export directly. Scrivener, Ulysses, and Apple Pages have built-in EPUB export. If yours does, follow the same steps as above, selecting EPUB as the format.
2. If not, export to DOCX first. Follow the DOCX steps above to get a .docx file.
3. Go to an online converter. Open a browser and search for “DOCX to EPUB converter.” Use a reputable site like CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Convertio.
4. Upload your DOCX file. Click the upload button and select your novel.
5. Choose EPUB as the output format. Some converters let you set metadata like title and author — fill that in if available.
6. Start the conversion. Click Convert or Start, and wait for the file to process.
7. Download the EPUB. Once done, download the file to your computer.
8. Verify the EPUB. Open it in a reader like Calibre, Apple Books, or the Kindle Previewer to check that chapters and formatting look right.
9. If you prefer a desktop tool, install Calibre (free) and use its “Add Books” and “Convert Books” features to convert your DOCX to EPUB with more control over CSS and metadata.

Common Mistakes

• Exporting only the current chapter instead of the whole manuscript — always double-check the scope.
• Forgetting to include a table of contents in the EPUB. Most converters will generate one automatically, but if not, you’ll need to add it manually.
• Using the wrong file extension — a .txt file renamed to .md is fine, but a .docx renamed to .epub will not work.
• Ignoring image placement. If your novel has images (like a map or illustrations), they may not transfer correctly in Markdown or EPUB. Check each image after export.
• Not checking smart quotes. Some apps convert straight quotes to curly quotes, which can look odd in Markdown. Use a tool like Pandoc to convert them if needed.

Tips

• Always keep a master copy in your writing app’s native format before exporting.
• Use consistent heading styles (e.g., Heading 1 for chapter titles) in your writing app. This makes it much easier to generate a clean table of contents in EPUB and DOCX.
• Test the EPUB on multiple devices (phone, tablet, e-reader) to ensure formatting is consistent.
• If you’re planning to self-publish, learn basic CSS for EPUBs — it gives you control over fonts, margins, and spacing that converters often ignore.
• For Markdown, use a tool like Pandoc to convert between formats without losing structure. It’s a command-line tool but very powerful.

Troubleshooting

• Export button is grayed out. This usually means you haven’t selected anything or the app is in a read-only mode. Click on the manuscript in the sidebar, then try again.
• The EPUB won’t open on my e-reader. Try converting it again with Calibre, which often fixes metadata issues. Also make sure the file isn’t corrupted by re-downloading it.
• The DOCX has weird page breaks. Go to the writing app’s export settings and look for “Page Breaks” or “Section Breaks.” Set them to “Between Chapters” or “None” and re-export.
• Markdown headings are not showing up. Some apps export headings as plain text. You’ll need to manually add # symbols before each chapter title. Use find-and-replace if there are many.
• Images are missing in the EPUB. Make sure images are embedded in the DOCX (not linked) before converting. In Word, use “Insert > Pictures” rather than linking to external files.
• The file is too large for the converter. Split your novel into two parts, convert each, then merge the EPUBs using Calibre or Sigil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export directly from Scrivener to EPUB?

Yes, Scrivener has built-in EPUB export. Go to File > Export > File, choose EPUB, and adjust the metadata and formatting in the options panel.

Will my formatting (italics, bold) carry over to Markdown?

Most writing apps preserve basic formatting like italics and bold when exporting to Markdown, using asterisks or underscores. However, complex formatting like custom fonts or colors will not carry over.

What is the best free tool to convert DOCX to EPUB?

Calibre is the most reliable free desktop tool. It offers fine control over the output and can also fix common EPUB issues.

Do I need to include a table of contents in the EPUB?

It’s highly recommended. Most e-readers use the table of contents for navigation. If your converter doesn’t generate one, you can add it manually in Calibre or Sigil.

Can I export to DOCX from Google Docs?

Yes. In Google Docs, go to File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). This will give you a DOCX file with basic formatting preserved.

Will my chapter numbers appear correctly in the EPUB?

If you use heading styles for chapter titles, the numbers will appear as part of the heading text. If you rely on automatic numbering, it may not transfer. It’s safer to type the chapter number manually.

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