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Let Scrivener count for you In a previous post, I introduced autonumbering and explained how the actual numbers don't appear until you compile your manuscript. Last time, we looked at chapter numbering and the various options. I also mentioned that you can automate the numbering for: Parts Figures / images Tables You can even dream up your own name and create a ‘named auto numbering stream’. These tags are put within the text of...

You can count on Scrivener One of the most-asked questions when compiling is about chapter numbering. For many, this proves to be a stumbling block. So, today, I'm explaining all - and much else about Scrivener's auto-numbering feature. There are a host of numbering options, and they are activated using 'placeholders'. These are essentially 'tags' which are replaced during the Compile process for actual data. A complete list is available via the...

Scrivener offers lots of outputting options Having created an ebook format (explained in this post) that I am happy with, the next step, maybe, is to duplicate that, but for the Kindle. Setting up a format for Kindle The process is almost the same as that followed to create the ebook: instead of highlighting Default, highlight eBook; click on + and choose to duplicate. I've called mine 'Kindle'. In theory, all you need to...

If you're not delighted with Scrivener's default styles, you can always tweak them to suit yourself. Be aware that your new styles will apply to all your projects! In this post, I share three easy style tweaking tips. Style tweaking 1: Changing the font If you want all the text to appear in one font, and you don't like what you're seeing, you can change it. This simple tweak changes everything to that font....

Post amended: 17 August 2019, to include the autogeneration of a ToC! An ebook needs a dynamic contents list The process of setting up a table of contents (TOC) is straightforward! First, you have two choices: Let Scrivener do it for you Do it yourself Letting Scrivener do it for you When you choose ebook from the output options, an additional icon appears in the right-hand pane. The default setting is that Scrivener generates the...

Tell a book by its cover You can create a PDF of your manuscript to give to reviewers or to send to an agent or publisher. They are not expecting a cover. When you create an electronic version of your manuscript - an eBook or for Kindle readers - the cover is an essential component. Indeed, if you expand the Front Matter folder in the Binder, you'll find that Scrivener makes recommendations...

eBook is short for electronic book The process of outputting to an ebook format is similar to that used for a PDF, but with a few distinct differences. Set up a new format and save in My Formats You will repeat this process (or something very similar) for each new format: Select File / Compile Click on the PDF format under My Formats Click on the + sign and choose Duplicate & Edit...

My guest today is Jane Rayner. I first met Jane at the Bridport Arts Centre - she was running a course on 'Developing an online presence'. I was so impressed with her knowledge of social media, but also how this impacts on authors, that I invited Jane to be a guest speaker for the Wednesday Writers in May 2018. Her workshop was so popular that Jane is returning as our guest...

Spacing can be vertical or horizontal I was delighted with my progress last week, but now that I scroll through again (happy with the placement of my headings and the pagination), I spot a problem. Problem: Rogue space lines There seems to be a larger than usual gap between the second paragraph and the third. The vertical spacing is not right! I check my manuscript ...

Lots of things can go wrong when you compile! It is wise to compare the output with what you have in your manuscript. Step-by-step with a non-fiction book In my non-fiction book EDITING The RedPen Way, I wrote my Introduction as a sequence of scenes, using the guidance given at the Self-Publishing School. I explain how in this post. The net result is that my document titles are part of the manuscript; they form...