[GUI Plugin] Extract EPUB Metadata - Page 2

madame_newbie · 10-16-2026, 09:58 AM

I got this to work and most of them can update the identifier tags, now I need to know if extracting the author's name possible?

I wish most scrapers use epub/mobi too but I think they tend to use TXT to save space.

Also I've tried converting the txt to epub but it shows me
"Story URL identifier: not recovered -- FanFicFare may not be able to pick an adapter for this book."

ovillo · 10-16-2026, 11:42 AM

I was able to extract the author names from the Naruto samples you sent me, at least on the version attached here (already had made some changes from the prev version). Make sure “Update standard Calibre metadata” is enabled.

Converting these TXT files to EPUB afterward won’t help, unfortunately. What I meant was: if you have a choice when downloading, EPUB is generally a better option for preserving metadata. But if you already have TXT files no need to convert them for the sake of metadata, as you saw that might even make things worse.

madame_newbie · 10-16-2026, 12:36 PM

OH MY GOD, YOU'RE A GOD! The metadata's fits where it needs to be! Thanks so much! I feel you on the epub thing, usually it's my preferred format but many of the fanfic archived in archived.org tend to be in text or pdf format. But this helps so much! Thank so much!

ovillo · 10-23-2026, 10:23 AM

Version 1.1.0 is out!

You can now extract metadata directly from supported TXT archives—no EPUB conversion needed. It also adds support for FicLab EPUBs.

I’ve also fixed the refresh issue where fields like word count and chapters wouldn’t appear updated until you ran another action.

Thanks to everyone who shared samples and tested.

Download 1.1.0

From github
From the first post in this thread

ShoeQueen · 10-31-2026, 11:13 PM

Hi, when you make your next update would it be possible to create a way to capture the story Urls? It's be nice to have these recorded.

ovillo · 11-01-2026, 01:25 PM

That’s already supported! Make sure “Add story URL as identifier” is enabled in the plugin settings. If the file contains a recognizable story URL, the plugin will save it in Calibre’s Identifiers field.

If it's not working for a story, share it with me and I can see what the matter is

ShoeQueen · 11-02-2026, 11:06 AM

I found it! Thank you! With AO3 being down I'm really organizing my fics.
I was fortunate that I finished my fic downloading binge the day before the site went down, so I have plenty to keep me occupied. I'm also working on making book covers for my most loved fics after a reread. Your plugin has definitely helped sort out this mess!

ovillo · 11-03-2026, 04:11 AM

New version up!

Extract Epub Metadata 1.2.0

You can now recover metadata directly from AO3-generated PDFs, using the same
preview and Saved Metadata, standard metadata and custom-column options.

This update also improves recovery from AO3 HTML files converted to EPUB,
including titles, authors, summaries, categories and story URLs.

Download 1.2.0

From github
From the first post in this thread

ovillo · Yesterday, 05:37 AM

Update: this plugin is now called Extract Fanfic Metadata, because it also reads TXT and AO3 PDF files.

Version 1.2.1 is attached to the first post, and the GitHub address has changed to match.

If you have the old version, install the new one and then remove Extract Epub Metadata; your settings and toolbar button are kept.

Reach_greenDot · Yesterday, 01:28 PM

Thank you, this is so helpful!
The only issue I'm running into is that all of the tags are ending up together in my FFF calculated tags column, not just the ones that usually end up there. (But they are also ending up in the correct columns; e.g.: Characters, ship, warnings, etc.). Is this a FFF issue, or is this in the control of the Extract Metadata plugin?
The tutorial I followed to set up my FFF columns, if that's helpful to you: https://maelstrom.quest/2026/02/24/c.../#personal.ini
Thanks again!

Reach_greenDot · Yesterday, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reach_greenDot

Thank you, this is so helpful!
The only issue I'm running into is that all of the tags are ending up together in my FFF calculated tags column, not just the ones that usually end up there. (But they are also ending up in the correct columns; e.g.: Characters, ship, warnings, etc.). Is this a FFF issue, or is this in the control of the Extract Metadata plugin?
The tutorial I followed to set up my FFF columns, if that's helpful to you: https://maelstrom.quest/2026/02/24/c.../#personal.ini
Thanks again!

I figured out what my problem was. The Tags column is added to, not overwritten. I just needed to clear it before I ran things.

ovillo · Today, 11:53 AM

New version: 1.2.2

Fandoms with the label "Category" now recovered from FFF downloads
Consistent Anthology naming in the UI
new Settings and fields guide

Download from github
or the first post in this thread

10-16-2026, 09:58 AM	#16
madame_newbie Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 48 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Basic 2014 \| Kindle Paperwhite 3	I got this to work and most of them can update the identifier tags, now I need to know if extracting the author's name possible? I wish most scrapers use epub/mobi too but I think they tend to use TXT to save space. Also I've tried converting the txt to epub but it shows me "Story URL identifier: not recovered -- FanFicFare may not be able to pick an adapter for this book." Last edited by madame_newbie; 10-16-2026 at 10:10 AM.

Yesterday, 05:37 AM	#24
ovillo Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: Boox Go, Kindle paperwhite	Update: this plugin is now called Extract Fanfic Metadata, because it also reads TXT and AO3 PDF files. Version 1.2.1 is attached to the first post, and the GitHub address has changed to match. If you have the old version, install the new one and then remove Extract Epub Metadata; your settings and toolbar button are kept. Last edited by ovillo; Yesterday at 09:50 AM.

Yesterday, 01:28 PM	#25
Reach_greenDot Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2026 Device: Xteink x4	Thank you, and tag population question Thank you, this is so helpful! The only issue I'm running into is that all of the tags are ending up together in my FFF calculated tags column, not just the ones that usually end up there. (But they are also ending up in the correct columns; e.g.: Characters, ship, warnings, etc.). Is this a FFF issue, or is this in the control of the Extract Metadata plugin? The tutorial I followed to set up my FFF columns, if that's helpful to you: https://maelstrom.quest/2026/02/24/c.../#personal.ini Thanks again!

Today, 11:53 AM	#27
ovillo Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: Boox Go, Kindle paperwhite	New version: 1.2.2 Fandoms with the label "Category" now recovered from FFF downloads Consistent Anthology naming in the UI new Settings and fields guide Download from github or the first post in this thread

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[GUI Plugin] Extract ISBN	kiwidude	Plugins	563	10-31-2026 01:45 AM
[GUI Plugin] Extract People & Other Metadata	DaltonST	Plugins	21	09-09-2026 08:36 AM
[GUI Plugin] ePub Extended Metadata	un_pogaz	Plugins	68	06-30-2026 03:49 AM
[GUI plugin] Extract tables of contents	Phssthpok	Plugins	3	02-11-2024 08:47 AM
Plugin to extract Language out of an epub	Invisibleman1964	Plugins	0	10-09-2012 02:58 PM

10-16-2026, 12:36 PM	#18
madame_newbie Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 48 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Basic 2014 \| Kindle Paperwhite 3	OH MY GOD, YOU'RE A GOD! The metadata's fits where it needs to be! Thanks so much! I feel you on the epub thing, usually it's my preferred format but many of the fanfic archived in archived.org tend to be in text or pdf format. But this helps so much! Thank so much!

10-23-2026, 10:23 AM	#19
ovillo Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: Boox Go, Kindle paperwhite	Version 1.1.0 is out! You can now extract metadata directly from supported TXT archives—no EPUB conversion needed. It also adds support for FicLab EPUBs. I’ve also fixed the refresh issue where fields like word count and chapters wouldn’t appear updated until you ran another action. Thanks to everyone who shared samples and tested. Download 1.1.0 From github From the first post in this thread

10-31-2026, 11:13 PM	#20
ShoeQueen Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Android	Hi, when you make your next update would it be possible to create a way to capture the story Urls? It's be nice to have these recorded.

11-01-2026, 01:25 PM	#21
ovillo Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: Boox Go, Kindle paperwhite	That’s already supported! Make sure “Add story URL as identifier” is enabled in the plugin settings. If the file contains a recognizable story URL, the plugin will save it in Calibre’s Identifiers field. If it's not working for a story, share it with me and I can see what the matter is

11-02-2026, 11:06 AM	#22
ShoeQueen Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Android	I found it! Thank you! With AO3 being down I'm really organizing my fics. I was fortunate that I finished my fic downloading binge the day before the site went down, so I have plenty to keep me occupied. I'm also working on making book covers for my most loved fics after a reread. Your plugin has definitely helped sort out this mess!

11-03-2026, 04:11 AM	#23
ovillo Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: Boox Go, Kindle paperwhite	New version up! Extract Epub Metadata 1.2.0 You can now recover metadata directly from AO3-generated PDFs, using the same preview and Saved Metadata, standard metadata and custom-column options. This update also improves recovery from AO3 HTML files converted to EPUB, including titles, authors, summaries, categories and story URLs. Download 1.2.0 From github From the first post in this thread