Available
The Forge
Compile the manuscript to PDF, ePub, or DOCX with professional layout.
What it's for
The Forge transforms your manuscript into a finished document. It assembles parts, chapters, and scenes, lays them out according to a target profile, and generates the final file as PDF, ePub, or DOCX.
Each target profile corresponds to a precise editorial convention: submission to publishers, print on demand, digital reader. Settings and metadata are saved between sessions.
Step-by-step guide
Choose a target profile
1
At the top of the settings panel, click the active profile: a menu lists all profiles. Built-in profiles carry a padlock (standardised conventions, not directly editable).
2
Click a profile to apply it: all settings and the preview update.
Built-in profiles: Manuscript FR · Modern Shunn · Classic Shunn · POD Print · ePub. Click the padlock to temporarily unlock the options.
Customise and save a profile
1
Adjust the settings: as soon as they differ, a Modified badge appears.
2
Save (personal profile) or Save as… (new profile from current settings).
3
Manage profiles (gear): rename, duplicate, delete personal profiles.
Select sections
1
The left panel lists all sections (all checked by default). Check/uncheck to include/exclude.
2
All / None / Invert buttons, Parts / Chapters / Scenes tabs, search by title, and drag and drop to reorder the compilation.
The footer shows the number of included sections and the total word count. Special folders (Workshop, Notes, Trash, Attachments) are excluded automatically.
Metadata and layout
1
Book › Metadata: title, subtitle, author, publisher, year, ISBN, custom instructions.
2
Format: page (A4, A5, 6×9", 5×8", 8½×11"), margins in mm, page numbers.
3
Typography: font (Garamond, Palatino, Times, Arial, Helvetica, Courier), size 9-14 pt, line spacing 1.20-2.20, hyphenation, alignment, italics as underline.
4
Chapters: start position, title/number, numbering format, drop cap, first paragraph style, scene separator, end marker.
5
Special pages: title, copyright, dedication, table of contents. Headers: position, left/right content, manuscript style (Shunn).
Preview and export
1
Four previews: Page (actual render), Manuscript (Times 12 double-spaced), Reader (cream background), Paginated (real pages, closest to the export).
2
Before export, a pre-export check lists any warnings (continue or cancel).
3
Export as PDF (main), ePub, or DOCX: progress bar, then native save dialog.
Suggested filename:
<Book title>.<format>.Tips
◆
Always start from a target profile: it preloads the right settings, then you fine-tune.
◆
Save your personal profiles via Save as… to come back to them or duplicate them.
◆
Use the Paginated preview before exporting: it is the only mode showing real page breaks and pagination.
◆
For a French-language publisher, the "Manuscript FR" profile applies A4, Times 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, unjustified.
◆
French typography (guillemets, em dashes, non-breaking spaces) is applied automatically at compilation.
Function reference
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Active profile button | Opens the profiles menu |
| Built-in profile (padlock) | Applies and locks the options |
| Modified badge | Configuration differs from the saved profile |
| Save / Save as… | Updates / creates a personal profile |
| Manage profiles | Rename, duplicate, delete |
| Profile | Use |
|---|---|
| Manuscript FR | A4, Times 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, left-aligned |
| Modern / Classic Shunn | Anglo-American submission (Times / Courier) |
| POD Print | 6×9", Garamond 11 pt, justified, drop cap |
| ePub | E-reader, no page numbers |
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Checkboxes / All / None / Invert | Include or exclude sections |
| Tabs + search + drag and drop | Filter, search, reorder |
| Page / Manuscript / Reader / Paginated previews | Different preview renders |
| PDF / ePub / DOCX | Generates the file according to the active profile |