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 And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
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 Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
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 Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your 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 Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
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
Creating a Physical Book Dummy for Your Illustrated Book
Creating a Physical Book Dummy for Your Illustrated Book
Overview: Creating a physical “book dummy” can be a valuable tool for planning the layout of your illustrated book. This optional step allows authors and illustrators to visualize the flow of text and images, experiment with page turns, and explore different layout options. By using printed text blocks and folded paper, you can create a mock-up of your book and see how it will look and feel when completed. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a physical book dummy and explain how to print off your manuscript from Made Live.
Why Create a Physical Book Dummy?
Creating a physical book dummy can help you:
- Visualize the Layout - Seeing your text and illustrations in physical form allows you to better understand how they will look on the page and how readers will experience your book.
- Experiment with Page Turns - Use the dummy to explore how page turns impact the flow of your story. This is especially important for picture books, where pacing and timing are key to keeping readers engaged.
- Plan Illustration Placement - Experiment with different illustration placements and sizes. This can help you decide where to place illustrations in relation to the text and whether certain spreads need more or less visual content.
- Make Editing Decisions - Use the book dummy to identify areas where the text might need to be shortened or expanded, or where illustrations could be added or removed to improve the story’s flow.
How to Create a Physical Book Dummy
Follow these steps to create a physical book dummy for your illustrated book:
1. Print Off Your Manuscript from Made Live
To create your book dummy, start by printing off your manuscript from Made Live. Here’s how:
- Go to your project in the Manuscript workspace and click on the Share button in the top menu.
- Select your preferred file type (PDF or MSWord) for download.
- Ensure that you have selected to include “Breaks” and “Text” in the download options. These settings will maintain your spread breaks and text placement, making it easier to visualize the book’s layout.
2. Cut Out the Text Blocks
Once printed, cut out the text blocks from your manuscript. You can leave the text blocks in rectangular shapes or trim them to more closely match how they will appear on the page.
Tip: Consider leaving extra space around the text blocks to mimic white space and make it easier to visualize the final layout.
3. Prepare Folded Paper for Spreads
Take sheets of paper and fold them in half to create a mock-up of your book’s spreads. You can use standard printer paper, cardstock, or any other type of paper that works for you.
Tip: Use paper sizes that correspond to your intended book size to get a more accurate feel for the final product.
4. Arrange Text Blocks on Each Spread
Place the text blocks on the folded paper spreads according to your layout plan. Move the text blocks around to experiment with different text placements and page configurations.
5. Add Placeholder Illustrations
If you have rough sketches or placeholder images, add them to the book dummy to see how they fit with the text. This step helps you visualize how illustrations will complement the story and whether any adjustments are needed.
6. Tape or Glue the Text and Illustrations in Place
Once you’re satisfied with the layout, tape or glue the text blocks and placeholder illustrations to the paper spreads. This will create a more polished book dummy that you can flip through and review.
7. Review and Make Adjustments
Use the book dummy to review the overall layout and make any necessary adjustments. Pay attention to the pacing, page turns, and how the text and illustrations work together to tell the story.
Tips for Creating a Physical Book Dummy
- Keep It Simple - The purpose of the book dummy is to test layouts and page turns, so don’t worry about making it look perfect. Focus on visualizing the flow of the book rather than creating a final version.
- Use Sticky Notes for Text - If you anticipate making changes to the text placement, consider using sticky notes instead of taping or gluing the text blocks. This allows you to move text around more easily.
- Mark Page Numbers - Mark the page numbers on the bottom of each spread in pencil to keep track of where you are in the story. This will help you see how the story unfolds and where key moments occur.
- Invite Feedback - Share your book dummy with friends, family, or colleagues to get feedback on the layout and pacing. This can provide valuable insights before moving on to the final design phase.
Final Notes: Creating a physical book dummy is an optional but helpful step in the planning process for illustrated books. By printing your manuscript, arranging text blocks on folded paper, and adding placeholder illustrations, you can gain a deeper understanding of your book’s layout and make informed decisions before moving on to the final design. Use this guide to create your own book dummy and explore new possibilities for your illustrated book.