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 Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
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 Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
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
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript 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 Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
Designing
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Editing
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
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
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
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
The Milestone of Completing Your First Draft
Writing Your First Draft: Just Get It Out
Starting your first draft is one of the most exciting, yet intimidating, parts of the writing process. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of getting everything perfect from the beginning. But here’s the truth: your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it shouldn’t be. The key to writing your first draft is simple—just write.
Let Go of Perfection
Your goal with the first draft is to get all your ideas out on the page. Don’t worry about sentence structure, grammar, or even plot consistency just yet. The most important thing is to allow your creativity to flow without restraint. Trying to edit as you write slows you down, disrupts your thoughts, and limits the natural process of storytelling. Instead, let the words flow freely. You’ll have plenty of time to fix everything later during revisions.
Avoid the Temptation to Edit
It’s natural to want to tweak and perfect your writing as you go. You might spot a clumsy sentence or think of a better way to phrase something. Resist that urge. Editing while you’re drafting shifts your focus from generating ideas to critiquing them, and this can hinder your progress. Editing is a separate process—one that requires a different mindset than drafting. Stay focused on creating, and leave the fine-tuning for later.
Tips for Getting Started
- Set a Timer: Use a timer to give yourself permission to write without stopping. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, commit to writing continuously until the timer goes off.
- Write in Sprints: Break your writing sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. This helps you stay focused and reduces the feeling of overwhelm.
- Embrace Imperfection: Remind yourself that the first draft is just a starting point. It doesn’t need to be polished, and no one else needs to see it yet.
- Focus on Progress: Your goal with the first draft is to move forward. Celebrate each chapter or section you complete, no matter how rough it feels.
- Set Word Count Goals: A daily or weekly word count goal can keep you accountable. Even a small word count adds up over time.
What Comes Next?
Once you have your first draft written, the real work begins—revision and editing. But for now, focus on getting the story out. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. After all, you can’t edit a blank page.