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A Complete Guide for Authors
How to Write a Book on Google Docs: Many new and experienced authors look for a simple but effective way to begin writing their manuscript. While advanced software can feel overwhelming and notebooks often become scattered, Google Docs provides an accessible and reliable solution. It allows you to draft, edit, and collaborate without worrying about losing your work. For those preparing children’s books, thinking about book covers of children's books, or exploring how to publish a children's novel, Google Docs offers both structure and flexibility. Many authors working with Blueberry Illustrations start their projects in this platform, ensuring that text and illustrations can be planned together right from the beginning.
Google Docs is cloud-based, free, and easy to use, making it an excellent option for first-time writers as well as professionals. Since every word is saved automatically, the risk of losing your manuscript is removed. The ability to open your book draft from any device means you can continue writing a children's novel at home, in a café, or even while traveling. Another strength is real-time collaboration: editors, designers, or freelance illustrators can review your draft, leave comments, and suggest improvements. For authors working with an illustration studio, this means that both writing and book illustration ideas can evolve together in one place.
To make the most of Google Docs, it helps to follow a structured approach. Below are the steps authors can take to begin and manage their manuscript effectively.
Create a new document by selecting a blank page or a template. This will serve as the foundation of your manuscript.
Set up your structure using heading styles such as Heading 1 for chapters and Heading 2 for sub-sections. This allows Google Docs to generate an outline, making navigation between chapters easier.
Write consistently, adding content chapter by chapter. Since Google Docs auto-saves, you can focus entirely on your ideas without worrying about backups.
Add notes for illustrations where needed. For example, you might type “illustration of a book character here” or “book illustration cover sketch here” to guide the design process later.
Collaborate by sharing your document with editors or illustrators. This lets them comment directly on sections, ensuring the story and visuals develop together smoothly.
Format your manuscript for readability by adjusting fonts, spacing, and page breaks. A clean draft makes it easier to review before moving into layout and design.
Export your completed draft in formats such as Word, PDF, or EPUB. These versions can then be prepared for publishing or sent to Blueberry Illustrations for book design and illustration work.
| Step | Action in Google Docs | Use for Authors |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create Document | Open a blank document or template | Start drafting your book |
| 2. Outline Structure | Use heading styles | Organize chapters and sections |
| 3. Write Content | Type directly into the document | Develop your story steadily |
| 4. Add Illustration Notes | Insert placeholders or comments | Plan where book illustrations will appear |
| 5. Collaborate | Share with editors or illustrators | Receive real-time feedback on text and visuals |
| 6. Format Manuscript | Adjust fonts and layout | Ensure readability and professional style |
| 7. Export & Publish | Download in Word, PDF, or EPUB | Prepare for publishing and illustration design |
Writing a children’s book is not just about the story; it’s about the way the text and illustrations work together to engage young readers. Organizing your manuscript from the beginning helps ensure that each page flows logically and that illustrations enhance the storytelling rather than interrupt it. In Google Docs, you can use placeholders to indicate where illustrations should appear. For instance, you might write “illustration of the main character walking through the forest” or “scene showing the magical castle at sunset.” These notes act as guides for future illustrators and can be detailed further to include character expressions, background details, or specific actions.
It is also helpful to adopt a consistent system for marking illustrations. You can use color-coded highlights to distinguish different types of visuals, such as full-page spreads, spot illustrations, or character portraits. Alternatively, you can insert comments describing the mood, perspective, and any specific visual elements you want in that illustration. This approach ensures that when you or a collaborator reviews the manuscript, it is easy to see where each illustration belongs, how it supports the narrative, and how the story will appear on the page once printed.
Another important aspect is planning your book layout in advance. Consider how text and images will interact on each page. For example, some pages may need larger illustrations that take up half the page, while others might have small spot illustrations that emphasize key moments. By thinking ahead, you can create a balanced manuscript where illustrations guide the reader’s attention, reinforce the story, and make the reading experience more immersive. This planning is crucial for a professional-looking final product, whether you are self-publishing a children’s book or preparing it for a publisher.
Google Docs provides several features that make structuring your children’s book manuscript easier and more organized. One key tool is the use of headings. Using Heading 1 for chapter titles and Heading 2 or Heading 3 for subsections allows you to create an automatic table of contents. This table of contents not only helps you navigate the manuscript quickly but also provides a clear overview of the book’s structure, which is especially helpful for longer books or books with multiple storylines.
Bookmarks and internal links are another useful feature. By placing bookmarks at important sections, such as chapters that contain critical illustrations or narrative turning points, you can quickly jump between sections without scrolling through pages. Internal links allow you to reference specific scenes, character appearances, or recurring illustration motifs, ensuring consistency throughout the book.
Structuring your manuscript this way also promotes uniformity in page layout and text formatting. By maintaining consistent font styles, sizes, line spacing, and paragraph formatting across all chapters, you make it easier to integrate illustrations and maintain visual harmony. For books with illustrations, it is particularly important to leave adequate space for images and captions, so the manuscript remains readable while providing room for visual storytelling. By combining well-planned illustration placement with structured text navigation, your manuscript will be both professional and easy for collaborators, editors, and illustrators to work with.
Finally, a well-organized manuscript can also simplify the publishing process. When the text is structured clearly and illustration placeholders are marked, formatting the manuscript for print, e-book, or other digital formats becomes faster and more accurate. This approach reduces errors, ensures consistent book layout, and ultimately results in a polished children’s book that engages readers and highlights both your story and your illustrations effectively.
Illustrations are an essential element of a children’s book because they bring the story to life and help young readers visualize the narrative. Effective collaboration with illustrators and designers is key to producing a cohesive, visually engaging book. Google Docs provides several tools that make collaboration easier and more organized.
Here are some ways to collaborate effectively in Google Docs:
Clear, detailed communication about the type of illustration, mood, colors, and perspective ensures that the visuals align with the text. Early and continuous collaboration can prevent misunderstandings, reduce revisions, and produce a visually appealing book that enhances the reading experience.
Illustrations in a children’s book do more than decorate the pages; they guide the reader through the story, support comprehension, and create an emotional connection. Planning the visual journey is essential for making the book engaging and easy to follow.
Key considerations for planning illustrations include:
By planning the visual journey carefully, authors can ensure that illustrations are not just decorative but serve a functional role in storytelling. Combining well-planned illustrations with a structured manuscript results in a children’s book that is engaging, easy to read, and visually appealing, enhancing the overall reading experience for young audiences.
Studying bestselling children’s books can teach valuable lessons about how text and illustrations work together to create a successful story. By analyzing popular titles, authors can see how book cover design, typography, layout, and illustration style attract young readers. For instance, observing the placement of illustrations within the pages can reveal how pacing, page turns, and visual storytelling affect reader engagement. Full-page illustrations often highlight key story moments, while smaller spot illustrations add emphasis to dialogue or actions. Consistency in character appearance, background details, and visual motifs helps maintain continuity and reinforces story themes.
It is also useful to examine the layout and formatting choices of bestselling children’s books. Consider how much white space is left around images and text, how the font size and style complement the illustrations, and how the visual hierarchy guides the reader’s attention. Pay attention to the inside cover and back cover, as these areas often include extra illustrations, character guides, or summaries that support storytelling. While it is important to learn from market trends and best practices, maintaining originality and a unique artistic style ensures that your children’s book stands out in a competitive market and reflects your personal creative voice.
In addition to visual elements, authors should study storytelling techniques used in bestsellers. Notice how illustrations reinforce emotions, clarify plot points, or foreshadow events. Understanding how these elements work together can guide your own decisions about illustration placement, book layout, and pacing, resulting in a manuscript that is engaging, visually appealing, and ready for publication.
Google Docs offers several features that make writing, organizing, and preparing a children’s book manuscript much more efficient. One of the key advantages is the ability to insert placeholders for illustrations or low-resolution images directly into the document. This allows authors to visualize the book layout and communicate where illustrations should appear without needing final artwork immediately. Using clear labels or comments for each illustration helps maintain clarity for yourself and any collaborators.
Comments and suggestion mode in Google Docs are essential tools for collaboration. Authors can leave notes for editors, proofreaders, or illustrators without altering the main text. This ensures that all feedback and illustration instructions are easily accessible and trackable. Using headings for chapters and subheadings allows you to create an automatic table of contents, which makes navigation simple, especially for longer children’s book manuscripts or books with multiple scenes that require specific illustrations.
Version history is another important feature, as it allows you to track changes over time and revert to earlier drafts if needed. This is particularly useful when experimenting with different illustration placements or text edits. Formatting tools in Google Docs, such as setting page size, margins, line spacing, and font styles, help create a manuscript that is consistent and professional. By planning the book layout in Google Docs and carefully formatting both text and illustration placeholders, you can produce a manuscript that is ready for self-publishing a children’s book or submission to professional publishing platforms.
Finally, combining these technical tools with thoughtful planning of illustration placement, chapter structure, and visual pacing ensures that your manuscript is clear, visually engaging, and prepared for the next steps in the publishing process. Proper use of Google Docs not only streamlines writing and collaboration but also sets the foundation for a polished final book layout.
Completing your manuscript in Google Docs is just the first step. After drafting, it is important to edit and proofread your text carefully to ensure clarity, consistency, and age-appropriate language. Once the manuscript is finalized, you can collaborate with illustrators to replace placeholders with final artwork, ensuring that each illustration aligns with the story. Properly formatting the manuscript for print or digital publishing involves checking page layout, margins, and image resolution. By planning the manuscript, illustration placement, and book cover design carefully, you can produce a professional-quality children’s book that is ready for self-publishing or submission to publishers, creating a polished reading experience for young audiences.
Writing a book on Google Docs combines simplicity with powerful tools for organization and collaboration. By planning both text and illustrations within the same platform, you set a strong foundation for your story. Blueberry Illustrations partners with authors at this stage and beyond, offering services that turn drafts into published works—complete with hand drawing illustration, professional layout, and eye-catching book illustration covers. If you are preparing to write a children's novel or want to create a more than word book, Blueberry Illustrations is here to guide you every step of the way.
To explore more self publishing tips and resources that can guide you in writing, designing, and publishing your book, click on this link.
To explore our Children's book illustration style, click on this link.
