Help Center

Creating a Novel

1. From the Dashboard, click Add Novel
2. Enter title, genre, and current status (Planning, Drafting, With Editor, Published)
3. Add a blurb and synopsis for your reference
4. Upload a cover image from the Media Library
5. Set word count goal and track progress

Organizing into Series

1. Go to Series in the navigation
2. Click Create Series and name it
3. Add themes and tropes that define the series
4. Edit any novel and select the series from the dropdown

Creating a Character

1. Navigate to your novel and click Characters
2. Click Add Character
3. Fill in Quick Facts: role, age, occupation, etc.
4. Upload a portrait image
5. Use the rich text editor for detailed backstory

Custom Fields

1. Scroll to the Custom Fields section
2. Click Add Field
3. Enter field name (e.g., "MBTI", "Magic Ability", "Secret")
4. Add the value for this character

Creating Relationships

1. Open your novel and click Relationships
2. Click Add Relationship
3. Select the source and target characters
4. Choose a role preset (Family, Romantic, Ally, Enemy, etc.)
5. Add notes for context and save

Graph View

• Filter the graph by relationship category
• Click a node to jump to the character page

Creating World Topics

1. Navigate to your novel and click World
2. Click Add Topic
3. Name your topic (e.g., "Magic System", "Kingdom of Eldara")
4. Use the rich text editor with tables and code blocks
5. Link to related characters or other topics

Suggested Topics

• Magic/Technology: Rules, limitations, costs
• Geography: Maps, regions, climate
• Politics: Factions, rulers, conflicts
• Culture: Customs, religions, holidays
• History: Timeline, wars, founding myths

Creating Timeline Events

1. Open a novel or series and click Timeline
2. Click Add Event
3. Set start year/sequence and optional end year for spans
4. Add a display date for custom calendars (e.g., "500 BC")
5. Assign an era or lane and link related characters/world topics

Views & Filters

• Use Canvas for the visual timeline with zoom controls
• Switch to List for quick edits and search
• Filter by lane, era, or character

Adding Items

1. From a novel, open Research
2. Click New Item
3. Choose a type: Link, File, or Note
4. Add tags and assign a folder (optional)
5. Save, then open the card to view details

Organizing

• Filter by type or tag chips
• Search titles, URLs, and note text
• Use Manage Folders for long-term organization

Creating Notes

1. Open a novel and click Production Notes
2. Click Add Note
3. Set category, status, and visibility
4. Write content, add tags, and pin key notes

Linking Context

• Save the note, then use Add Link to connect it to characters, world topics, timeline events, research items, or media
• Private notes are visible only to the creator

Using the Task Board

1. Click Board in the navigation
2. Click Add Task to create a new task
3. Set priority, assignee, and due date
4. Drag tasks between columns: Backlog → To Do → In Progress → Review → Done
5. Use Manage Labels to create tags like "Marketing" or "Editing"

Calendar Events

1. Click Calendar in the navigation
2. Click any date to add an event
3. Choose event type: Release, Deadline, Editing, Marketing
4. Link events to specific novels

Google Calendar Sync

1. On the Calendar page, click Connect Google Calendar
2. Authorize Story Signal to access your calendar
3. Check "Sync to Google Calendar" when creating events
4. Tasks with due dates automatically sync when connected

Inviting Team Members

1. Click Team in the navigation
2. Click Invite Member
3. Enter their email address
4. Select a role:
   • Viewer: Can see everything, edit nothing
   • Collaborator: Can edit content, manage tasks
   • Owner: Full access including team management
5. They'll receive an email invitation to join

Managing Team Members

1. View all members on the Team page
2. Change roles by clicking the role dropdown
3. Remove members by clicking the remove button

Importing Markdown or Word Documents

1. Open Import. Create a novel first if the workspace does not have one yet.
2. Choose Paste Markdown or Upload Files.
3. Select the target novel and content type. Uploads can auto-detect character or worldbuilding content.
4. Paste Markdown, or choose a .md or .docx file.
5. Review the parsed preview. Word imports show conversion limitations and require confirmation before a record is created.

Markdown Format Tips

• Use YAML frontmatter for metadata: ---\ntitle: Character Name\nrole: Protagonist\n---
• Use # Heading for sections
• Use **bold** and *italic* for emphasis

Exporting PDF Series Bible

1. Navigate to your novel or series
2. Click Export
3. Select "PDF Series Bible"
4. Choose what to include: characters, world topics, etc.
5. Download the generated PDF

Build the Store List

1. Choose Outreach in the navigation.
2. Create regions, then add bookstore and buyer contact details.
3. Set a follow-up date, consignment defaults, or Do Not Contact as needed.

Log and Follow Up

1. Open a bookstore and choose Log Outreach.
2. Select at least one novel or series and attach a generated pull sheet or uploaded marketing PDF.
3. Move the attempt through Responded, Interested, Declined, or Ordered. Use Edit only to correct a misclassified status.
4. Use the dashboard's upcoming and overdue queues to plan manual follow-ups.

Track Distribution

• Add purchased or consigned stock after a store orders; update it manually when checked.
• Link bookstore signings to Calendar events.
• Review current distribution on novel and series pages, or open Reports for regional performance and CSV exports.