Last Updated on by Michael Brockbank
AutoCrit is a great platform to help you edit your story, and to move the manuscript to Reedsy when you’re done is quite easy. For the most part, it comes down to exporting a file from AutoCrit and then importing it to Reedsy Studio.
However, this requires you to create a new book in Reedsy for the imported story. An alternative would be to copy and paste the chapters one by one.
Today, let’s take a look at both methods and how you can do it yourself.
Method 1: Exporting from AutoCrit to Reedsy
With this method, we’re creating a file that we can use to import into Reedsy Studio as a new book. I’ll go over how this is helpful in a moment.
Step 1: Export the File from AutoCrit
From the AutoCrit editor, click the export option on the right and select DOCX to export. The export icon looks like a file with an up arrow.
This will download the file to your computer. In my case, I’m able to decide where it gets saved. Some of you might simply have to access the downloads folder on your computer system to find the file.
Step 2: Import the Book to Reedsy
From your Bookshelf in Reedsy Studio, select the “Import book” option on the left.
The Import Book window will open.
You can drag-and-drop the DOCX file into this window or click to select it from your device. Then, enter the Title and optional Subtitle of the book.
Once you’ve done that, click the “Import book” button on the bottom right.
Reedsy will then add the new book to the shelf.
Step 3: Manage or Write More
From here, you can hover the mouse over the book and manage it or continue writing.
What If You Have the Same Book in Reedsy?
If you use Reedsy to write the book, move it over to AutoCrit to edit, and then want to use Reedsy to publish, it’s best that you create a new book for your Reedsy shelf. In this instance, you should rename your original manuscript so that there are no naming complications when uploading the DOCX file from AutoCrit.
In my case, I changed the first draft of the book to include “Original First Draft” at the end of the title.
You don’t have to do this, but I find it very convenient as it gives me a saved copy in my Reedsy bookshelf of the original version of the book. That way, I always have a copy of the manuscript’s official first draft as well as the planning boards that include all of my research notes and links.
I know, it might seem redundant to some. After all, you probably have copies of versions saved in all kinds of places, both on and offline. But doing it this way keeps everything associated with the book, including anything you added to the planning board.
Method 2: Move by Copying from AutoCrit to Reedsy
If you don’t want to create a new file in Reedsy, you can always move the manuscript from AutoCrit by copying and pasting the text. However, I ran into a few issues when trying this myself.
- The formatting doesn’t always copy over, such as indents for paragraphs or dialogue.
- Each chapter has to be copied one by one, as Reedsy creates a separate section for each of its chapters in a book.
- I like the idea of having a fully saved first draft complete with the planning board and research.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with copying and pasting your manuscript in this manner. It might work perfectly for you. I just wanted to point out the issues I had in the process so you’re aware of anything that might happen.
Why Move From Reedsy Studio to AutoCrit for Publishing?
AutoCrit has a decent system for publishing or exporting your print-ready books. However, I find it lacking in a few regards. For one thing, you only have a handful of page templates for front and back matter. Reedsy has several of these that are easy to set up and add to your book.
That might not be a problem for some authors who don’t care about things like an appendix or Also By pages. Plus, you can always add these pages to the manuscript itself as separate “chapters” in AutoCrit. For instance, you can label one as “Prologue” and write the prologue.
So, Using AutoCrit to export the book might work perfectly for you to get your book up on Amazon and other platforms quickly.
I also like the idea of sharing the manuscript with collaborators after final edits in Reedsy. That way, they can give the complete story a good once-over in Reedsy Studio while highlighting any remaining issues that need addressing before publishing the book.
The collaboration feature works just like Google Docs, as it is in real-time and easy to manage with multiple writers or editors. You don’t get that same functionality in AutoCrit.
For my Dark Western, I used both Reedsy and AutoCrit to publish.
Publishing Shadows of Atlantic City with Reedsy and AutoCrit
- Finish the First Few Drafts in Reedsy
I used Reedsy to write the novel while spending a few rounds polishing up the story.
- Export the Draft from Reedsy to AutoCrit
Using the DOCX file type from the backup of Reedsy, I uploaded it to AutoCrit.
- Edit the Manuscript in AutoCrit
Using AutoCrit’s selection of editing tools and reports, I continued to tighten the prose and fix any issues I came across.
- Moving the Story from AutoCrit to Reedsy
Creating a DOCX file from AutoCrit, I created a new book in Reedsy for the semi-finished manuscript.
- Beta Reading and Final Tweaks
I then assigned the beta readers to give the story one last read while I went through the manuscript to make final adjustments.
- Uploading the Final Book Cover
As the beta readers are going over the manuscript, I added the finished version of the book cover to Reedsy. However, I had to make a separate file for print versions as I use wrap-around art for the full front and back of the cover.
- Exporting from Reedsy to Upload to Various Book Sites
Once the manuscript was ready to go, I exported the print-ready PDF and ePub files to distribute across various book websites.
It may sound a bit convoluted to some, but this allowed me to find all kinds of errors in the structure and flow of the book. I didn’t have enough money for a human editor, but AutoCrit did an amazing job for $180 per year.
Even if I had a human editor waiting for the manuscript, I would still use AutoCrit to polish up the text to give the editor an easier read.
How Many Apps Do You Use to Publish Your Book?
I test new apps with every book I write. Part of it is because I want content for both the blog and YouTube channel to help other writers decide what to use for themselves. Another part is because I’m always on the lookout for my next favorite app.
That means I have a growing collection of writing tools to suit a variety of purposes. Although Reedsy is currently my favorite tool, I’m open-minded enough to try new things.
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to something you thoroughly enjoy using. And although it’s a few extra steps to move a manuscript from Atticus to Reedsy, it was a great experience overall. Not the transfer part, but being able to write and edit my book as I did with Shadows.
Keep in mind that the best writing apps are the ones that work perfectly for your needs.
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