Exporting and Formatting Manuscripts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing Desk gives you three ways to get a finished manuscript out into the world: a quick export, an agent-ready submission format, or a fully typeset book through the Formatter. Here's how to use each one.
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1
Choose your export format
From the Export menu, choose .docx, Markdown, plain text, or PDF.
Screenshot needed: The Export menu with format options -
2
Save a PDF
PDF export uses your Mac's print dialogue. Choose Save as PDF and pick where to save it on your device.
Screenshot needed: The print dialogue saving a manuscript as PDF -
3
Open Submission Export
For agent submissions, open Submission Export and add your name, contact details, manuscript title, and total word count.
Screenshot needed: The Submission Export form with author and manuscript details -
4
Set your formatting options
Choose your font, page size, and whether to show chapters by number or total word count.
Screenshot needed: Submission Export formatting options -
5
Export as .docx
Click Export as .docx. Writing Desk applies standardised Shunn manuscript formatting automatically, ready to submit.
Screenshot needed: A completed Shunn-formatted manuscript export -
6
Open the Formatter
For a fully typeset book, click Typeset. This opens the Formatter in your browser and uploads your manuscript automatically.
Screenshot needed: Launching the Formatter from Writing Desk -
7
Design your book
In the Formatter, set your front and back matter details, then use the designer to choose font, heading size, and more.
Screenshot needed: The Formatter design screen with live page preview -
8
Export EPUB and PDF
When you're happy with the design, click Export. Your EPUB and print-ready PDF download to your device, ready to publish.
Screenshot needed: The Formatter export screen with EPUB and PDF ready to download
Want to see it in motion?
Watch the full walkthrough video on the Export & The Formatter help page.