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 Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
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
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
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
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 Enter Your Isbn In The Section
Designing
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
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 Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
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
How to Get Feedback on Your Manuscript
How to Get Feedback on Your Manuscript
Once you've completed and self-edited your manuscript, it's time to gather valuable feedback. Input from others can give you a fresh perspective, highlight any areas for improvement, and ensure that your story resonates with your target audience. Here's how to approach the feedback process effectively.
Choose Your Beta Readers Wisely
Your manuscript’s first audience should be a small group of trusted beta readers. These readers should reflect your target audience—whether that’s children, parents, teachers, or caregivers. Think about who would naturally engage with your book:
- Parents and Teachers: They can offer insights into how age-appropriate and educational your story is.
- Children in Your Target Age Group: If your book is intended for kids, getting direct feedback from them (with guidance from an adult) can be incredibly valuable. You’ll want to know if they found the story fun, engaging, and easy to follow.
Aim to share your manuscript with people who understand both your genre and your audience. Their feedback will be more targeted and helpful than sharing with just anyone.
Key Questions to Ask Beta Readers
To get useful feedback, it’s important to guide your beta readers with specific questions. General feedback like “It was good” won’t help you make meaningful improvements. Here are some questions you can ask to get detailed and actionable feedback:
- Is the story engaging from start to finish? Did they lose interest at any point?
- Is the language appropriate for the target age group? Do they feel the vocabulary is too complex or too simple?
- Is the plot easy to follow? Was there any part of the story that confused or lost them?
- Did the characters feel relatable? Were they able to connect with or understand the characters' motivations and actions?
- Did the story hold their attention? For younger readers, keeping their attention throughout the book is critical.
- Were there any sections that felt too long or too short? Feedback on pacing can help you adjust the flow of your story.
Providing a list of focused questions will ensure you get the feedback you need to fine-tune your manuscript.
Be Open to Critique
It can be tough to hear criticism about your story, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time working on it. But remember, feedback is an essential part of the process. Your readers aren’t there to tear your story apart; they’re there to help make it better.
- Take note of patterns: If multiple beta readers point out the same issue (e.g., a section feels rushed or a character’s dialogue doesn’t fit), that’s a signal that it’s worth addressing.
- Not all feedback will apply: Some feedback might be personal preferences that don’t align with your vision for the story, and that’s okay. Ultimately, it’s your book, and you get to decide what stays and what changes.
Getting Feedback from Children
If your book is aimed at children, their feedback can be invaluable—but it also requires a different approach. Here’s how to get the most out of feedback from younger readers:
- Watch for non-verbal cues: Children may not always articulate their thoughts clearly, but their reactions can tell you a lot. Pay attention to when they’re excited, bored, or confused.
- Ask simple questions: Stick to basic questions like “What did you like best about the story?” or “Was there anything you didn’t understand?”
- Check if they want to hear more: If a child is eager for the next chapter or wants to hear the story again, that’s a good sign you’ve captured their interest.
What to Do with the Feedback
Once you’ve gathered feedback from your beta readers, take the time to reflect on what they’ve shared. Break it down into categories like plot, pacing, character development, and overall engagement. Use this input to guide your revisions:
- Look for common themes in the feedback: If several readers point out the same issue, that’s where you should focus first.
- Prioritize critical changes: Address any major issues, such as confusion in the plot or characters that don’t connect with readers.
- Fine-tune the smaller details: Once the bigger revisions are made, use the rest of the feedback to polish your dialogue, pacing, and tone.