Best Doc Format for Book Publishing – And How to Turn It Into a Fillable Form Instantly

If you’re writing a book in Google Docs, you’re not alone. Thousands of writers choose Docs for its simplicity, real-time collaboration, and seamless formatting tools. But once the manuscript is ready, what’s the best document format for a book —especially if you want to share excerpts or convert content into a fillable form for your audience?

Whether you're writing a novel, an educational workbook, or a how-to guide, this post will walk you through the best format to use and how you can instantly convert it into a form using Formswrite.com —a free, web-based tool that turns Google Docs into fillable forms in one click.

Why Format Matters for Book Projects

Before jumping into conversion, it's crucial to get your formatting right in Google Docs. A properly formatted document improves readability, supports better editing, and sets you up for easy publishing later.

Best Doc Format for Book Publishing in Google Docs

Here’s a step-by-step guide to formatting your book manuscript professionally in Google Docs:

1. Use Styles Consistently

Go to Format > Paragraph styles and apply styles like “Title,” “Heading 1,” and “Normal text.” This not only structures your document for easier navigation but also helps in creating automatic tables of contents.

2. Set Page Size and Margins

For print books, go to File > Page setup and select 6 x 9 inches —a common paperback size. Set margins to 1 inch all around unless specified otherwise by your publisher or platform (like Kindle Direct Publishing).

3. Choose a Readable Font

Use serif fonts like Georgia or Times New Roman for body text, and make sure font size is around 11 or 12 pt .

4. Insert Page Breaks

Use Insert > Break > Page break between chapters instead of just hitting “Enter” multiple times. It keeps formatting clean.

5. Use Section Headers for Navigation

Google Docs automatically creates a document outline when you apply heading styles. This makes it easier to jump between chapters and helps editors navigate your manuscript.

Bonus: Convert Book Excerpts Into Forms with Formswrite.com

Once your book is ready, you might want to turn certain sections into an interactive form —for example, exercises, quizzes, or feedback pages.

That’s where Formswrite.com comes in. It’s not a plugin , but a standalone website that lets you convert your Google Doc into a form in just one click.

How to Use Formswrite.com:

1. Finish formatting your Google Doc.

2. VisitFormswrite.com.

3. Connect your Google account and choose the document you want to convert.

4. Click “Convert to Form.”

5. Your form is now ready to edit and share via Google Forms!

This is perfect for authors who want to make their workbooks interactive or gather reader input.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use Google Docs to publish my entire book? Yes. Google Docs is a great tool for writing and formatting. Once your manuscript is complete, you can export it as PDF or .docx for publishing platforms like Amazon KDP.

Q2: Is Formswrite.com free? Yes, Formswrite.com offers a free way to convert Google Docs into forms instantly.

Q3: What types of documents work best with Formswrite? Any Google Doc with structured content—especially lists, questions, and instructional text—works great.

Q4: Is Formswrite a plugin? No, Formswrite is a web-based tool. No need to install anything—just visit Formswrite.com and connect your Google account.