AuthorsDrop Help

AuthorsDrop is designed so you can begin with a project rather than configure the software first. New accounts receive a 30-day trial before you decide whether to buy Lifetime Access.

1. Choose New Project from My Projects.
2. Select the format closest to your work.
3. Name the project and choose Create Project.
4. Open the first Binder document and begin writing.

If a manuscript already exists, use Import instead of starting blank.

My Projects is the home of your AuthorsDrop library, showing format, word count and save status without making you open every book.

1. Use Continue Writing for recent work.
2. Use New Project or Import as appropriate.
3. Search and filter as the library grows.
4. Read deletion confirmations carefully.

If devices show different lists, stop editing and use the alignment troubleshooting topic.

AuthorsDrop uses project formats as practical starting points rather than rigid writing formulas. The web and Mac workspace includes Novel, Mystery, Romance, Non-fiction, Thesis/Dissertation, Screenplay, Feature Film, Stage Play, Short Story, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Poetry Collection.

1. Choose the closest format when creating the project.
2. Use the starter Binder as a beginning, then rename, add, move or remove items to suit your work.
3. Use format-specific guidance as a reference rather than a rulebook.
4. Fantasy and Sci-Fi include world-building support, while script formats use dedicated script elements.

See the AuthorsDrop Template Library for the complete overview.

Prose projects divide long work into manageable Binder documents. Choose the closest format; the structure remains yours to change.

1. Create the closest prose format.
2. Add chapters, scenes, sections or research.
3. Drag Binder items to change reading order.
4. Keep private research separate from exportable manuscript text.

Binder order normally becomes export order.

Screenplay projects use dedicated elements so scene headings, action, character names and dialogue remain consistent.

1. Begin scenes with INT. or EXT. headings.
2. Use Tab and Shift+Tab to change elements.
3. Use Enter to follow normal screenplay flow.
4. Compile when you need a shareable script.

Existing Final Draft scripts should be imported as .fdx files.

Stage Play mode separates theatre dialogue and action from ordinary prose. Stage scenes do not require screenplay-style INT. or EXT. headings.

1. Organise longer works with acts and scenes.
2. Use Scene, Action, Character, Dialogue, Pause and Transition elements.
3. Use Enter to follow the stage-writing flow.
4. Keep private production notes outside performed text.

The Binder is the structural map of the project. It lets you divide a large manuscript into manageable documents while keeping everything together.

1. Select an item to open it.
2. Add documents or folders where needed.
3. Drag items to reorder or nest them.
4. Use clear titles as the project grows.

Moving an item changes organisation, not its words.

The editor contains manuscript text while planning information remains outside it.

1. Select text before character formatting.
2. Use paragraph styles for headings and body text.
3. Use Find and Replace for repeated corrections.
4. Let saving and syncing finish before changing devices.

Keep an independent backup of important manuscripts.

The Inspector holds planning information without placing it in the exported manuscript.

1. Use Synopsis for a short document description.
2. Use Notes for research and reminders.
3. Use Status and Label for your workflow.
4. Set word goals where useful.

Check the selected Binder item before editing its Inspector.

Focus Mode removes surrounding interface; split screen keeps two parts of the project visible for comparison.

1. Use Focus Mode for concentrated drafting.
2. Use split screen for notes or another chapter.
3. Select the intended pane before typing.

These views do not move or delete documents.

AuthorsDrop saves on the current device first, then Secure Sync handles the encrypted cross-device copy. No device is permanently the master.

1. Finish writing on the current device.
2. Wait for Synced.
3. Open the next device and let it check for the newest revision.
4. After offline work, reconnect and sync before switching.

The safest habit is: finish, sync, then switch.

AuthorsDrop does have cloud syncing. The normal cross-device system is Secure Sync, which keeps an encrypted synchronisation copy available to signed-in AuthorsDrop devices.

1. Dropbox is not required for normal AuthorsDrop syncing.
2. The current device saves the working copy first.
3. Secure Sync encrypts the project before the synchronisation copy is uploaded.
4. Web, Mac, iPhone and iPad can use the same signed-in Secure Sync library.
5. A computer-folder .bwrt copy is an optional additional backup, not the cloud-sync priority system.

Secure Sync is AuthorsDrop's built-in encrypted cross-device library. Dropbox is not required for normal syncing.

1. Use the same AuthorsDrop account on each device.
2. Keep the recovery code somewhere safe.
3. Let first alignment finish before editing a new device.
4. Confirm expected projects and Synced status before continuing.

A .bwrt folder copy can be an additional backup but does not decide device priority.

Secure Sync preserves work rather than guessing which device was right. Competing changes to the same document are kept for review.

1. Stop editing the affected document elsewhere.
2. Open the Conflicts collection.
3. Compare the conflict copy with the main document.
4. Move anything needed before deliberately deleting a conflict copy.

A conflict is a protection mechanism.

Import creates a new AuthorsDrop project from the source, allowing you to inspect the conversion before relying on it.

1. For Word, use .docx and consistent heading styles.
2. For Scrivener, zip the complete .scriv package including Files/Docs.
3. For Final Draft, import the .fdx file directly.
4. Review Binder order and manuscript text afterwards.

Keep the original source until the import is confirmed complete.

Export and Compile turn the structured project into a separate output. Prose follows Binder order; scripts use their dedicated formatting rules.

1. Check Binder order first.
2. Choose the appropriate output.
3. Check headings, scene breaks or script flow.
4. Open the exported file before submission or publication.

Exporting does not replace the AuthorsDrop project.

Press separates book presentation from drafting, keeping typography, trim, chapter styling and front matter out of the writing editor.

1. Open Press from a supported prose project.
2. Review layout, typography, trim and front matter.
3. Use live preview to judge the actual page effect.
4. Inspect generated output before distribution.

Screenplay and Stage Play projects use Compile instead.

Treat a computer move as a library alignment rather than a manual copy-and-paste exercise.

1. Finish editing on the old computer and wait for Synced.
2. Keep an extra backup if desired.
3. Sign in with the same AuthorsDrop account on the new computer.
4. Unlock Secure Sync if prompted and let alignment finish before editing.

Do not create replacement books while first alignment is still running.

Your account controls sign-in and access. The account password and Secure Sync recovery code are separate, so resetting one does not recreate the other.

1. Use Forgot password? for account-password problems.
2. Open Billing & Plan for purchase options.
3. Use Restore Purchases for eligible App Store purchases.
4. Back up wanted manuscripts before deleting an account.

Never send passwords or recovery codes to Support.

Most problems are easier to diagnose when you first separate an account issue, a device issue and a Secure Sync issue.

1. Confirm www.authorsdrop.com and your internet connection.
2. Refresh once, or quit and reopen the app.
3. Sign in with the expected account.
4. Let Secure Sync finish rather than repeatedly pressing Sync now.
5. If the problem remains, record the device, version, exact action and message.

When a library looks wrong, preserve what you have and contact Support before deleting.

Different project lists usually indicate an alignment problem first, not proof that books have been deleted.

1. Stop editing on all affected devices.
2. On the device showing the expected library, wait for Synced.
3. On the other device, use the same account and unlock Secure Sync if prompted.
4. Leave My Projects open while alignment finishes.
5. Confirm titles and recent changes before editing again.

If it still differs, contact Support before deleting or recreating projects.

The recovery code protects the encryption key. A missing code can lock the encrypted library on that device, but it should not lock the AuthorsDrop application itself.

1. Check the code carefully for missing characters or spaces.
2. Choose Use this device without Secure Sync to continue locally.
3. Use Unlock Secure Sync later if you recover the correct code.
4. Do not delete the encrypted library merely because this device cannot unlock it.

AuthorsDrop cannot recreate a lost recovery secret or decrypt a library without its key.

Start with the least destructive checks. Reinstalling or clearing data should not be the first response when unsynchronised local work may exist.

1. Quit and reopen AuthorsDrop once.
2. Check the internet connection.
3. On web, reload www.authorsdrop.com.
4. On iPhone/iPad, confirm the latest TestFlight or App Store build.
5. Record device, OS and build number if the problem repeats.

A screenshot or screen recording is particularly useful to Support.

When an import is empty or badly structured, check the source package before rebuilding anything manually.

1. Use .docx with consistent headings for Word.
2. Zip the complete Scrivener .scriv package including Files/Docs.
3. Import Final Draft as .fdx.
4. Keep the source untouched and try a fresh copy if needed.

Review the imported Binder before deleting or archiving the source.

A short, specific report with environment details is more useful than a long description without device or build information.

1. Include the AuthorsDrop account email.
2. Give device model, operating system and AuthorsDrop version.
3. Say what you expected and what actually happened.
4. Attach a screenshot or short recording when useful.

Never send your password or Secure Sync recovery code. Email Contact@authorsdrop.com.