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Compile Targets

What Are Compile Targets?

Every section in your book has a compile target that determines which exports include it:

Target EPUB DOCX PDF HTML Markdown
All Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ebook Yes No No Yes Yes
Print No Yes Yes Yes Yes
None No No No No No

By default, all sections use the All target—they appear in every export.

Setting Compile Targets

From the Binder

  1. Right-click a section in the binder
  2. Select Compile In
  3. Choose your target:
    • All Formats - Include everywhere
    • Ebook Only - EPUB, HTML, Markdown only
    • Print Only - PDF, DOCX only
    • None (Reference Only) - Exclude from all exports

A checkmark indicates the current setting.

From the Outliner

The Outliner view shows compile targets for all sections at once:

  1. Switch to Outliner view
  2. Find the Compile column
  3. Use the dropdown to change any section's target

This is faster when setting targets for multiple sections.

Visual Indicators

The binder shows icons for non-default targets:
- Tablet icon - Ebook only
- Printer icon - Print only
- Circle with slash - None (reference only)

Sections set to All show no icon.

Use Cases

Ebook-Only Content

Include content that only makes sense digitally:

  • Hyperlinks - Links to your website, social media, newsletter signup
  • Interactive elements - Quizzes or bonus content links
  • Color images - Photos that lose impact in black and white print
  • Updates - Visit [website] for the latest updates

Example: Create an Also Available section with links to your other ebooks. Set it to Ebook Only so print readers don't see broken URLs.

Print-Only Content

Include content specific to physical books:

  • Ordering information - Order more copies at...
  • Print-specific marketing - Book club discussion guides
  • Physical extras - See the enclosed bookmark for...
  • Print acknowledgments - Thank-yous to print-specific contributors

Example: Create a Book Club Guide section for print editions only, since ebook readers can access this online.

Reference Material

Keep sections visible while writing but exclude from all exports:

  • Research notes - Background information you referenced while writing
  • Character notes - Detailed character backstories
  • Deleted scenes - Scenes you cut but want to keep
  • Outline - Your book's original outline
  • Timeline - Event chronology for consistency checking

Example: Keep your detailed world-building notes in the manuscript for reference, but never export them.

Multiple Editions

Create distinct editions using compile targets:

Section Standard Ebook Print Special Ebook
Main chapters All All All
Color images Ebook None Ebook
BW images Print Print Print
Bonus chapter None None All
Discussion guide None Print None

Front, Main, and Back Matter

Beyond compile targets, sections have a matter type that determines their position in exports.

Matter Types

Type Position Typical Content
Front Matter Before main content Title page, copyright, dedication, foreword
Main Matter Middle of book Chapters (default for new sections)
Back Matter After main content Acknowledgments, about the author, also by

Setting Matter Type

  1. Right-click a section in the binder
  2. Select Move to
  3. Choose: Front Matter, Main Matter, or Back Matter

Matter Type in Exports

Export formats handle matter types appropriately:
- PDF: Front matter uses lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii), main content uses Arabic (1, 2, 3)
- EPUB: Table of contents groups sections by matter type
- DOCX: Page breaks separate matter sections

Workflow Example

Here's how to set up a book with different print and ebook editions:

Step 1: Write Your Content

Create all sections with compile target set to All (the default).

Step 2: Identify Edition-Specific Content

Review your manuscript and identify:
- What's ebook-only? (links, color images)
- What's print-only? (ordering info, book club guide)
- What's reference-only? (notes, deleted scenes)

Step 3: Set Compile Targets

For each identified section:
1. Right-click in the binder
2. Select Compile In
3. Choose the appropriate target

Step 4: Organize Matter Types

Move sections to appropriate positions:
1. Right-click dedication, copyright, etc.
2. Select Move to > Front Matter
3. Right-click acknowledgments, author bio, etc.
4. Select Move to > Back Matter

Step 5: Test Your Exports

  1. Export to EPUB and verify ebook-only content appears
  2. Export to PDF and verify print-only content appears
  3. Confirm reference-only sections don't appear in either

Tips

Start with All

Leave most sections set to All unless you have a specific reason to limit them. This keeps your workflow simple.

Use Reference Sparingly

Don't overuse the None target. If content doesn't belong in the book, consider:
- Moving it to a separate book for notes
- Using Characters/Locations for world-building
- Keeping research outside Verkilo

Review Before Publishing

Before final export:
1. Switch to Outliner view
2. Scan the Compile column
3. Verify each section has the intended target

Duplicate for Different Editions

If you need radically different editions:
1. Finish your main manuscript
2. Duplicate the book
3. Adjust compile targets in each copy
4. Export each as a separate edition

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