Occasionally we see a situation where Dropbox syncing appears to have failed.
The shortest answer we can give when this complication happens is that if you're willing to do so, we recommend you switch to our GitHub writing mode:
If you're unfamiliar with GitHub or you just really want to keep using Dropbox, here is a solution that usually works:
Switch to a new writing mode, and switch back to Dropbox writing mode. This should re-establish the connection with Dropbox.
Here are the steps:
1. Back up your book folder somewhere on your computer. This is very important!
2. Double-check the Markdown dialect you are using here:
https://leanpub.com/YOUR_BOOK/settings/markdown_dialect
...making sure to replace YOUR_BOOK with your book's unique web address.
2. Change your writing mode here:
https://leanpub.com/YOUR_BOOK/settings/writing_mode
...making sure to replace YOUR_BOOK with your book's unique web address.
We suggest you switch to the "In my browser in a Markua plain text editor" option.
3. Click the blue “Update Book” button.
4. After the process completes, tick the box to switch back to Dropbox writing mode
5. Click the blue “Update Book” button again.
This process will establish a brand new Dropbox folder for you.
6. After you complete Step 4, you may want to copy the contents of your manuscript folder that you backed up in Step 1 above, into the manuscript folder in the new Dropbox folder.
7. Before you make a new preview, go back here:
https://leanpub.com/YOUR_BOOK/settings/markdown_dialect
...and make sure the Markdown dialect is set to what it was when you checked in Step 2.
8. Make a new preview to see if everything works.
There is another option, which is the "new book approach".
Note, however, that this workaround is only for books which have no readers, as it would disconnect readers from the book. If you have readers, just email hello@leanpub.com and we'll do everything we can to help you out:
Make a new book. Put it in stealth mode if you want. (Don't pay any money for it; use the free plan.)
Copy the manuscript folder in.
Generate the preview.
If (B) works, then what we do is:
1. Rename your old book to a different URL at:
https://leanpub.com/YOUR_OLD_BOOK/settings/web_page_url
2. Rename the new book to the URL of the old book
3. If the old book was on a $99 flat fee purchase, email hello@leanpub.com and we will swap the book writing purchase so that the new book is paid for by the $99 you paid.