Import 2 min read

Revising a Previously Published Ebook in Deckle

How to bring an already-published EPUB into Deckle to make revisions, fix errors, or reformat it before re-exporting to a new edition.

A book you published years ago, in a tool you no longer use (or never had the original source files for at all) isn't stuck as a finished, unchangeable EPUB. Deckle can import it back into an editable project.

What You'll Need

  • The .epub file itself. This works even if you've lost the original manuscript file it was built from, since Deckle reads directly from the EPUB.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Binder and use + → Import…, choose EPUB (.epub), and select your file.
  2. Check the imported folder. Deckle names it after the book's own title when it can read one from the EPUB's metadata, so it's easy to identify if you're working across several projects.
  3. Confirm your chapter titles came through correctly. Since these are read from the EPUB's real navigation structure, a well-formed book (from any publishing tool) should land with accurate titles already in place.
  4. Check that your front and back matter landed as the right special page types, not as plain chapters. Title page, copyright, dedication, and similar pages are auto-detected, but it's worth a quick scan through the Binder to confirm nothing was miscategorized, especially in an older or less standard EPUB.
  5. Make your revisions: fix the error, update a detail, add an afterword, whatever prompted the update.
  6. Set up your styling again in the Styles panel before re-exporting. An imported EPUB's structure and text come across, but you'll want to (re)apply fonts, trim size, and other styling choices for the new edition rather than assuming the original book's exact appearance was preserved pixel-for-pixel.
  7. Export your revised edition once you're happy with it, the same way you would any other manuscript.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming a malformed or very old EPUB will import with perfect chapter titles. Title accuracy depends on the book having a real navigation structure. If you get an unexpected title or two on an unusual/hand-built EPUB, it's worth checking and manually correcting rather than assuming it's wrong project-wide.
  • Re-exporting immediately without reviewing the imported structure. Give the Binder a quick scan first: confirm front/back matter landed as the right page types, and that nothing important ended up in an unexpected spot.
  • Expecting the exact original visual styling to carry over automatically. Import brings back your content and structure, not a pixel-perfect recreation of the original book's design. Revisit Styles deliberately for the new edition.

FAQ

Can I import an EPUB I didn't originally create in Deckle?

Yes, importing works the same regardless of what tool originally produced the EPUB, as long as it's a standard, well-formed file.

Will my book's cover image come back when I import?

Images embedded in the EPUB are carried over into your imported chapters; check your imported project to confirm your specific cover made it across as expected.

Do I need my original manuscript file to do this, or is the EPUB enough?

The EPUB alone is enough. Deckle reads directly from it, so this works even if the original source file is long gone.