Skip to content
English
Contact us
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How Do I Use Google Docs?

In Google Docs, you can write and edit documents directly in your web browser. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and the tools you choose can either be a hurdle or a tailwind. For many modern authors, selfpublishing.com recommends Google Docs as a robust, cloud-based command center for manuscripts.

Why Google Docs is Essential for Authors

  • Auto-Save: Every keystroke is saved instantly. You’ll never lose a chapter to a "blue screen" again.

  • Version History: Regret deleting a scene? You can view every iteration of your manuscript and revert to any previous state with one click.

  • Cloud Reliability: Your book is tied to your account, not your hardware. If your laptop breaks, your work is waiting for you on any other device.

 

Step-By-Step: Setting Up Your Manuscript

1. Starting Your Project

To begin, go to docs.new or your Google Drive dashboard.

  • Naming: Click "Untitled document" in the top left and enter your book title.

  • Offline Access: Go to File > Make available offline to ensure you can keep writing even without an internet connection.

2. Formatting Basics

Professional manuscripts require specific formatting to be readable by editors and AI tools.

  • Margins: Go to File > Page setup. Standard industry practice is 1-inch margins on all sides.

  • Fonts: Select your text and use the font dropdown. Times New Roman or Arial at 12pt are the standard.

  • Headings for Navigation: Highlight your Chapter Titles and change the style from "Normal text" to Heading 1. This automatically creates a clickable Document Outline on the left side of your screen.

3. Editor Collaboration

Publishing is a team sport. Google Docs makes the hand-off to your editor seamless:

  • Suggesting Mode: Click the "Editing" (pencil) icon in the top right and switch to Suggesting. Now, any changes you or your editor make will appear as tracked changes that must be "accepted" or "rejected."

  • Targeted Comments: Highlight a word or phrase and click the Add Comment icon. You can use the @ symbol to tag your editor specifically, starting a discussion thread right next to your prose.

4. Version History and Recovery

If you make a mistake or a collaborator's edits don't work out:

  • Go to File > Version history > See version history.

  • A panel will open on the right showing timestamps of all previous versions.

  • Select a version to preview it, and click Restore this version to bring it back.

Advanced Writing Tools

  • Gemini AI Integration: Use the "Help me write" feature to brainstorm character descriptions or summarize long chapters.

  • Voice Typing: Under the Tools menu, select Voice typing. This is perfect for "sprinting" through a scene when your fingers can't keep up with your thoughts.

  • Word Count: Press Ctrl + Shift + C to toggle a live word count on your screen—vital for hitting your daily writing goals!