Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
Designing
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
Self-Editing Your Book Layout: Fitting the Story to the Format
Self-Editing Your Book Layout: Fitting the Story to the Format
Once your manuscript is written, the next step is to ensure your book layout works well for the genre you’re writing in. Whether you're creating a children’s picture book or a graphic novel, the layout directly impacts the reader's experience. Here are key questions and tips to guide you through self-editing your book’s page count and layout.
Does Your Story Fit Standard Genre Formats?
Different book genres often follow specific layout conventions, which can affect everything from pacing to how the story is absorbed by readers. For example, children’s picture books typically follow a 32-page format. When self-editing, check if your manuscript fits within the typical structure of your genre:
- Picture Books: Does your story fit the 32-page format (or multiples of 8)?
- Graphic Novels: Do your chapters align well with a natural flow of events and provide breaks at logical points?
If your story doesn’t fit the standard format, you may need to condense or expand certain sections.
Does the Text Fit Well Page by Page?
Once you’ve confirmed your story fits the overall page count, it’s time to focus on how the text will flow across individual pages. Each page turn should feel intentional, keeping the reader engaged. Consider the following:
- Is there enough text per page? Make sure the amount of text fits comfortably within each page, without feeling overcrowded or too sparse.
- Do certain pages have too much or too little content? Watch for pages that might feel heavy with text, as well as those that seem overly empty or disconnected from the next.
Balancing the text across pages helps maintain a smooth reading experience, especially for younger audiences with shorter attention spans.
Are There Natural Breaks That Encourage Page Turns?
One of the hallmarks of a well-laid-out book is the use of page turns to create suspense, surprise, or curiosity. When reviewing your manuscript, ask yourself:
- Does each page lead naturally to the next? A good rule of thumb is to end each page on a note that makes the reader want to turn the page. This could be a question, an unresolved action, or even an exciting illustration.
- Are there cliffhangers or moments of anticipation? Use page breaks to heighten the impact of important plot points or emotional moments.
Effective page turns are especially important in genres like picture books, where the visual elements work in tandem with the text to create rhythm and engagement.
Are Parts of the Story Too Long or Too Short?
As you self-edit your layout, it's important to identify sections of the story that may drag or feel rushed. Pacing is key to keeping your readers’ attention throughout the book. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Does any part of the story feel rushed? If some sections feel too short, consider expanding them by adding details, dialogue, or action to balance the pace.
- Are there sections that feel too long or repetitive? If a particular part of the story feels like it's dragging, it might be a good idea to trim unnecessary descriptions or dialogue to keep the pace moving.
Consider the Visual Layout
Your book layout isn’t just about the text—it also involves how the illustrations or images will work alongside the story. Even if you’re still in the writing phase, think about how the visuals will complement the text:
- Do the illustrations align with the story’s pacing? In picture books and graphic novels, the illustrations play a critical role in pacing. Ensure there’s room for the visuals to breathe, particularly on pages where the story slows down or reaches a key emotional moment.
- Are there opportunities for full-page spreads? Full-page illustrations can be powerful tools for drawing readers into the world of your book and emphasizing pivotal moments.