Yes! Our writing consultants are adaptable and do their best to help you in whatever way works best for you; however, all online services require you to participate in the consultation. 

Our synchronous consultation options, drop-ins and appointments, require you to chat with the consultant in real time through Google Meet or Google Docs. 

Our asynchronous consultation option, Email, requires you to submit your project and additional information into Book It. Feedback will then be returned to you within 72 hours. If you submit a project through Book It while the Writing Center is closed, the 72 hour window will begin once all of our services open on the next scheduled day.

Our new system requires permission to access our email service, so please fill out an Additional Services Request form or contact Patrick Johnson ([email protected]) if you need access.  

If you share a Google Doc, your consultant will reach out through the chat feature of Google Docs to help direct you to our scheduling system, Book It. Once you are logged in and in the drop-in queue, the consultant can begin your consultation and will ask you questions to learn more about your paper and what aspects you want to work on. 

Your writing consultant will also share a Google Meet link in case you would like to speak directly to your consultant through the use of audio and/or video.

Unsure how to share a document in Google Docs? Our guide may be able to help!

When it is time to begin your scheduled session, log into Book It to check in to your consultation. Make sure to periodically refresh your webpage in order to see appointment status updates! Once your consultant is ready, an "Enter Appointment" Button will appear on your "My Appointments" page. Next, click the "Enter Appointment" button and you will be linked to a Google Meet room. 

The Google Meet link will allow you to meet with your consultant face-to-face in a video chat room so that you can begin working on and discussing what you would like to cover in the consultation.

Unsure about the use of audio and/or video in a consultation? Talk to your writing consultant at the beginning of your consultation to share any concerns, and ask about the benefits of using Google Meet during your writing consultation. Our writing consultants can adapt to your needs; this can include using only the audio feature of Google Meet, or communicating through only the Google Docs chat feature.

If you are having trouble sharing a Google Doc for an appointment, joining in a Google Meet room, or are having issues with audio and video, don't worry! Your writing consultant will reach out to you through your GVSU student email to help troubleshoot. 

Here are a few places you can reach out to in order to help get questions answered:

• Did your internet stall in the middle of a consultation? Email your consultant at [email protected] once you're back up and running to let them know what happened
• For any quick Knowledge Market questions, visit the Virtual Knowledge Market front door and talk to the receptionist
• Have a specific question about the Writing Center or our services? Email Patrick Johnson, Writing Center Director ([email protected]) and they will reach out to you shortly
• For any technology questions or issues with your GVSU student email account, the IT Service Desk ([email protected]) may be able to help