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Guide: Text Editor -Outline and Manuscript
Guide: Text Editor -Outline and Manuscript
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Written by Publishing.com
Updated over a week ago

The text editor feature in the software for the outline and full manuscript will allow you to customize, refine, and make your book uniquely yours. Below you will find guided instructions for both editors.


Outline Text Editor

Once your outline is generated, you will see the output appear on the right side of your screen.

If you wish to edit content, you can!

Click on the 'Edit Mode' button on the top right of your output to expand the window to full screen.

You will see a Table of Contents on the left side of your screen which will show you the chapter outline for your book.


​Every outline has 3 main parts:

Use the arrow beside the chapter content to expand your chapters. If you hover over your chapters, they will appear in purple. When highlighted in purple, you can click on the chapters to expand further and see your sub-chapters.



When you click on each section, it will take you to that section within the manuscript to allow for easy editing.

Want to change the order of your chapters or sub chapters? No Problem!
You can drag and drop to reorganize the content and it will change in your manuscript!


Editing your Outline Content

Toolbar

We have introduced some tools at the top of your outline editor to assist you with making adjustments.

At the top of your book outline, you will see a toolbar that looks like this:

1. From the top left are the undo/ redo arrows

If you make a mistake or want to step forward or step back in your edits, you can click the arrow pointing left to undo your last edit, and the arrow on the right to redo your last edit step (if you have stepped back).

2. Next you will see the hierarchy box

When expanded it looks like this:

Introductions and Conclusions are in the Normal text format.

This means that the content can be in bullet points or paragraphs, it's up to you! They do not need subchapters so feel free to edit the intro and conclusion however you like.

NOTE: Please do not change the [Chapter] format of the Introduction and Conclusion.

3. The Scissors represent your Cut tool. If you wish to take one piece of content from your outline and move it to another section, this is the best tool for that!

First, find the section you want to cut.

  • Highlight the whole section you wish to cut and paste elsewhere in the outline.

  • Click the Scissors located in the toolbar to 'cut' the section you just highlighted.

  • The text will disappear and be copied to your clipboard.

When you want to paste what you just copied into a new section of the outline, click where you would like to add the text in the outline and then use Command V (Mac) or Cntl V (PC) on your keyboard to paste.

Keyboard example (Mac)

4. If you wish to copy content and not remove it from another section, you can do so with the Copy tool

If you are using a Mac you will see:

If you are using a PC you will see:

6. If you wish to add bullet points, you can use the bullet list icon

5. Any content that you wish to paste from the current outline or another outline or outside document, you can paste by using the hot keys on your keyboard. We were not able to add a paste button in, so the instructions for the device you are using will appear on the toolbar.

Click the location within the manuscript you wish to add a bullet and then click the icon. A bullet point will be added.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • Each Chapter always needs a title.
    The numbers will automatically update when you add or delete chapters.

  • All content in a Chapter is organized using Subchapters.

    • A subchapter should always have a title and also gets numbered automatically.

    • The content in a subchapter can be bullet points OR paragraphs

Adding Chapters and Subchapters

To add a new Subchapter click on where you want it to be placed in the Book Outline, and then select Subchapter in the format dropdown menu.

Now you can name your subchapter and add any content you want. Once you start typing, the warning will go away for required name.

Note:

If you made a mistake, you can hit backspace to undo or use the undo button

Adding Chapters works in the same way; just select Chapter in the dropdown.

Once you have edited your outline to your liking, you may click continue to move onto the next step of the process which is 'Writing Sample'

Once you have edited your outline to your liking, you may click continue to move onto the next step of the process which is 'Writing Sample'

To make sure you are happy with your outline, you will see a pop up!

Further edits CANNOT be made to the outline after you click 'Yes, generate the Writing Sample' so if you are not sure, click I want to review it again, and double check!

To make sure you are happy with your outline, you will see a pop up!

Further edits CANNOT be made to the outline after you click 'Yes, generate the Writing Sample' so if you are not sure, click I want to review it again, and double check!

To make sure you are happy with your outline, you will see a pop up!

Happy Editing!

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Manuscript Text Editor

Once your manuscript is generated you will have the ability to review and edit it within Publishing.ai's platform with our manuscript editor.
This editor allows you to add and change content and ensure you have clean basic formatting so you can hand it off to a formatter ready for design!



Spelling and Grammar

We have embedded a Spelling and Grammar checker into our editor!
Language Tools is an editor that will assist you in locating spelling and grammar errors within your manuscript, and it will provide suggestions for correcting them and allow you to accept or ignore.

Functions you will find within the editor are:

Helpful Functions

On the top right of your manuscript, the Wordcount viewer and 'Copy' button will appear.

As you make edits to your manuscript, notice how the wordcount viewer will adjust so you can keep track of how your edits will effect the length of your book.

Remember: We suggest that your book be in the rage of 30,000-35,000 words.
Somewhere around here is the sweetspot!

To-Do List

In the left side of your screen, you will see a To-Do List to guide you through the proper editing process. You can use the check boxes to keep you on track as you work your way through the different stages of review and editing. Remember to care for your book as if you were putting your own name on it, even if you are using a pen name!

If you wish to close this side bar so that you can focus on your manuscript, you can do so with the drawer closer tab that looks like this. The arrow will point left (<) to close, and right (>) to open.

Toolbar

On the top left of your manuscript, the editing toolbar will appear.

Headings

Bold, Italics, and Underline are commen tools we all use, but don't forget to use headings if you add in any sections that may need to be formatted as a heading once your raw manuscript goes to an interior book designer.

You can use the 'Headings' tool here:

If you are unsure what type of heading may be used within your manuscript already, and you want to find out, simply highlight it, and click in the headings tool to see which heading style is highlighted.

This can help ensure you stay consistent with the headings that are already in place for the organization of your book.

Text Alignment

You can change the text alignment of your book by selecting the text align tool in the toolbar. This can be useful if you have block quotes and you want to use justify to keep all the lines the same length, or if you have callouts you wish to center.

Block Quotes are typically used for quotes that are 40 words or more. Quotation marks are not used.

Lists and Bullet Points

Many non-fiction books have numbered lists or bulleted lists to organize information in a clean way for the reader. To ensure that any content you add is formatted correctly in your raw manuscript for design, you can use this tool to turn any generated content, or added content into a list if you see fit!

AI Tools

We have introduced AI tools into the Manuscript Editor.

Our integrated AI editor can significantly enhance the writing and content editing process by providing tools that cater to a variety of potential needs you may have to make your manuscript exactly what you want it to be for you and your reader audience!

Rephrase Tool

Benefits

  • used to improved clarity and readability, rephrase sentences to make them clearer and easier to understand. This is particularly useful for those whose wish to have a reading language that is less advanced. you have control to change confusing sentences to the phrasing that you like best without losing the context.

  • Rephrasing can also enhance the style and tone to match the intended audience ensuring the content resonates well with your readers.

It can also help avoid plagiarism! By rephrasing content you may add in, you can bring unique phrasing to inspired text.

To use the Rephrase tool, simply highlight the sentense or phrase you want to paraphrase. Go to the AI Tools in the tool bar and click Rephrase~ Voila! You can continue to rephrase until you are happy with the given results.

If you want to go back Click the Undo/Redo buttons.

(Demo-No Sound)

Make Shorter

Benefits

  • Summarize for Efficiency! Condense long paragraphs or thoughts into shorter versions, makes it easier for readers to grasp the key points without getting lost in longer text.

  • Condensing can enhance focus by removing redundant or non-essential information, the condensed text becomes more focused and impactful for your reader.

(Demo-No Sound)

To use the Make Shorter tool, simply highlight the sentense or phrase you want to Make Shorter. Go to the AI Tools in the tool bar and click Make Shorter~ Voila! You can continue to make shorter until you are happy with the given results.

Make Longer

Benefits

  • Need more explanation or further elaboration? Expanding your text makes it easier to meet increase count or simply provide a more in-depth analysis.

  • Expanding content can enrich the text with additional examples, context, or background information, improving the reader's understanding and engagement.

(Demo-No Sound)

To use the Make Longer tool, simply highlight the sentense or phrase you want to expand. Go to the AI Tools in the tool bar and click Make Longer~ Voila! You can continue to expand until you are happy with the given results.

Undo/ Redo

If you make a mistake, not to worry! You can use the undo or redo buttons to fix an unintentional edit!

Finishing up!

When you are happy with your manuscript editing, you can copy the full document using the 'Copy' button.

With the Manuscript copied to your clipboard, we suggest you paste it into a Google Drive document for safe keeping. If you are not using Google Docs for your manuscripts, we recomment saving your manuscript to another cloud storage with the current version and date stamp of the last edit, so you always know which is the final one you were working with.

When you are happy with your final edit, you can give your manuscript to a book designer for interior formatting. Remember to watch the Formatting Your Book lesson for all the details!


If you feel something in this guide is missing, please let us know by reaching out to [email protected] and sharing your feedback!

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