Shunn Converter

A small Python script that turns a Markdown manuscript into a Shunn-style .docx file.

It is designed for fiction writers who draft in Markdown but need a clean manuscript format for submissions or sharing.

What It Does

The script:

• reads a Markdown file
• converts it into a Word document in standard manuscript style
• adds title, byline, contact info, word count, and page headers
• supports short story and novel layouts
• turns Markdown chapter headings and section breaks into manuscript-friendly formatting

Supported Markdown

• # Title -> uses the first H1 as the default manuscript title
• ## Chapter Title -> starts a new chapter on a new page
• ***, ---, * * *, or # -> inserts a centered section break
• *italic* / _italic_ -> italic
• **bold** -> bold

Requirements

• Python 3
• python-docx

Install the dependency with:

pip install python-docx

Usage

Run the script with a Markdown file:

python shunn_converter.py your-story.md

You can also run it with no argument and paste the file path when prompted:

python shunn_converter.py

The script will ask for:

• title
• author name
• surname for the header
• contact details
• format: short or novel

When it finishes, it creates a new Word file next to your Markdown file:

your-story_shunn.docx

Notes

• short keeps the title page and story on the first page
• novel creates a separate title page and starts the body on page 2
• word count is estimated automatically

If you write in Markdown and need manuscript format without reformatting by hand, this script is meant to make that step easy.