Writing Documents: Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word to Write Your Manuscript

When it comes to writing documents, like your manuscript, there are two popular options to consider: Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Both word-processing tools offer unique features and benefits that can enhance your writing experience.

In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and considerations of writing documents using each platform.

Benefits of Using Microsoft Word to Write Your Manuscript

Microsoft Word has long been a go-to tool for writers. Here are some benefits of using Word to write your manuscript:

• Formatting Options: Microsoft Word provides a wide range of formatting features that allow you to customize the appearance of your manuscript. Take advantage of features such as font styles, paragraph formatting, and page layout options to create a professional-looking document.
• Easy Submission: To submit your manuscript to Xulon Press, simply save your document as a .docx file and follow the submission guidelines provided by your Author Representative.

Benefits of Using a Google Document to Write Your Manuscript

While Microsoft Word is a popular choice, Google Docs offers its own set of advantages for writers. Consider the following benefits if you’re deciding whether to write in Google Docs or not:

• Collaborative Feedback: One of the standout features of Google Docs is its ability to facilitate collaborative feedback. You can easily work side-by-side with a co-author, send your manuscript to beta readers for their feedback, and even keep track of your changes before you submit your manuscript.
• Cloud-based Storage: With Google Docs, your manuscript is securely stored in the cloud. This means that you can access and edit your document from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, your work is automatically saved as you type, which reduces the risk of losing your progress.

Note: If you plan to submit your manuscript to Xulon Press, keep in mind that Xulon Press accepts manuscripts in .docx format, which is the native file format of Microsoft Word. We’ve provided instructions below on how to download your Google Doc manuscript to a .docx file format for submission.

Wrote in a Google Doc? Here’s How to Submit Your Manuscript to Xulon Press

When you’re ready to submit your manuscript to Xulon Press, follow these five simple steps to convert your Google Doc manuscript file into a Word document:

1. Open your manuscript’s Google document.
2. Select “File” in the menu bar and choose “Download.”
3. Select “Microsoft Word (.docx)” as the file format.
4. Next, locate the .docx file of your manuscript in your “Downloads” folder.
5. Submit the .docx file of your manuscript to Xulon Press for a Manuscript Review, full edit, or Production.

What to Expect Back from Xulon Press When Your Manuscript is Edited

If you purchased a full editorial service from Xulon Press, here’s what to expect regarding your manuscript file:

Xulon Press editors use Microsoft Word documents when they edit manuscripts. This is due to the wide range of editorial tools that Microsoft offers. The track change features are more finely tuned, so there’s less chance of editors introducing accidental errors into a manuscript. The comment features are easier for both editors and authors to use, the reading score of the document is easier to find, and the editorial scoring of the document makes it easy to see if a document is in good shape.

If you wrote your manuscript in Microsoft Word, your edited copies will be returned to you in the same file format. And you can skip down to For Microsoft Word Writers.

Editing in Google documents is possible, but it works best for personal writer revisions, sharing with beta readers to receive feedback, and even collaborating with co-authors. The track change features, however, are clunky and it’s easier for writers and editors to introduce accidental errors, such as extra spaces. duplicate punctuation, and other small typos that the clunky, editing software tends to hide from our eyes.

With that said, once your manuscript has been reviewed and edited by Xulon Press, you will receive “Track” and “Clean” copies of your manuscript in Microsoft Word documents. Here’s what you’ll want to do next:

Google Docs for Writing Documents

• If you wrote your manuscript in Google Docs, know that you’ll receive “Track” and “Clean” copies of your manuscript back as Microsoft Word documents. This means the collaborative view you had in Google Docs will no longer be available to you. When you open the Google Doc version of your manuscript it will not have editor changes it in.
• Instead, you’re going to open the “Track” changes copy that Xulon Press sent to you. In this document, you can easily see and review all the changes the editor made.
• Next, you’re going to open the “Clean” copy of your edited manuscript that Xulon Press returned to you. In this document, the editor’s changes have all been accepted, and all you’ll have to do is address the comments the editor left for you to aid you in additional revisions.
• Remember: Since your edited manuscript is no longer in Google Docs, the editor will not see the changes or responses you might enter to their original comments. Speak with your Author Representative about adding a second round of editing if you would like your revisions to be reviewed.

Microsoft Word for Writing Documents

• Open the “Track” changes copy that Xulon Press sent to you. In this document, you can easily see and review all the changes the editor made.
• Next, you’re going to open the “Clean” copy of your edited manuscript that Xulon Press returned to you. In this document, the editor’s changes have all been accepted, and all you’ll have to do is address the comments the editor left for you to aid you in additional revisions.
• If you would like your final revisions to be reviewed by your book editor, speak with your Author Representative about adding a second round of editing.
• Remember to resubmit your final manuscript to Xulon Press for production when all editorial revisions are complete, and you have a final version of your manuscript ready for typesetting.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer valuable tools for writing documents like your manuscript. Regardless of which program you decide to use to write your manuscript, Xulon Press will return two versions of your edited manuscript back to you as MS Word documents. The “track” copy will display every change the editor made, as well as any comments they have left for you to make final revisions on. The second document is a “Clean” copy. The editor’s changes have been accepted, and you’ll only see comments the editor left for you to aid in your final revisions.