Story Builder documentation

Backup and export

Back up a novel project as a file you keep, restore it when you need to, and export the manuscript to DOCX or EPUB when the book is ready to go somewhere else.

How do I back up a project? #

Open the project's Settings → Backups and press Create and Download backup file. The backup downloads as one file, whatever the size of the project. Whether you can make one depends on your role.

A backup holds the project's workings: books, chapters, characters, locations, places, events, entries, creatures, organizations, languages, plotlines, maps and their layers, the timeline, relations, custom fields and values, and roles and permissions.

It does not hold:

  • The people in the project, or anything to do with publication.
  • The picture files themselves. Images stay in the project's storage, and the backup only remembers which records use which picture.

How do I restore a backup? #

In Settings → Backups, choose the file under Restore Backup and confirm. The file can be up to 20 MB, and you can restore up to ten times an hour.

A restore is not a merge. Every record in the backup replaces the current version of the same record in the project. Records you created after the backup was made are left as they are. A restore cannot be undone, so be deliberate about what you restore and into which project.

When it finishes, a message lists what was restored. If the file cannot be restored, nothing is changed and your project stays exactly as it was.

Can I export my novel to DOCX or EPUB? #

Yes. In the manuscript view, press Export manuscript and choose a format:

  • Word document (.docx)
  • EPUB e-book (.epub)
  • Markdown, single file (.md)
  • Markdown, one file per chapter (.zip)

Use a backup to protect the project. Use a manuscript export to send the book to an editor, an agent or an e-reader.

Exporting single chapters and records #

A single chapter is exported from Export chapter in its Details panel, as Word, EPUB or Markdown, with its pictures and formatting, the same way as a manuscript. A single record, such as a character, location or entry, is saved as JSON from Export in its page's actions menu. To keep every record of a project, make a backup.

Duplicating a project #

In Settings → Actions, Duplicate project makes a copy under Name for the copy. It is useful for a second book in the same world, or a draft you want to take in a different direction. Choose how much to copy:

  • Structure only — custom fields, tags, the timeline's calendar, modules and permissions. No records.
  • Structure and entities — all of that, plus characters, locations, chapters, maps and their relations.
  • Everything — all of that, plus brainstorm boards, images and map layers: a complete working copy.

The copy is never published, and it starts with you as its only member. It is a new project you own, so it counts towards the projects your account can own (see Owned projects in your account settings). You can duplicate up to three projects an hour.

To start future projects from this one's setup, Save as template is next to it; see templates.

Your account's data #

You can ask for a copy of everything associated with your account, or ask for the account to be erased. Both start with a message to us; see account and security.

Our own backups #

We back up the whole service as well, and practise restoring it, so a failure on our side does not lose your work. That does not replace your own backups. Ours protect against our mistakes, and a project backup protects against yours.

Tips #

  • Back up before big changes. Take one before a restructure, a large import or a clean-up of the archive.
  • Keep several backups, dated. Each file is a snapshot; an older one can save you when the newest already contains the mistake.
  • Store backups outside your computer. A cloud drive or an external disk keeps them safe if the computer fails.
  • Export the manuscript for readers, back up the project for yourself. A DOCX or EPUB carries the text only, not your characters, maps or plotlines.
  • Duplicate to experiment. A copy with Everything lets you try a rewrite without touching the original.