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
How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Redundancy
How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Redundancy
Overview: Redundancy in a manuscript can bog down the story and weaken its impact. While some repetition is intentional and can enhance storytelling, repeating words, phrases, or ideas unnecessarily can feel tiresome to readers. This is especially important in picture books where illustrations often convey part of the story. When self-editing, it’s crucial to identify and eliminate unnecessary repetition to keep your story engaging and streamlined.
Why Redundancy Hurts Your Story
When words or phrases are repeated without adding value, it can slow down the pace of your story and confuse readers. Additionally, in picture books, redundancy between text and illustrations can diminish the role that visuals play in storytelling. Reducing redundancy ensures that your story feels fresh, direct, and that your text and illustrations work together seamlessly.
Key Considerations When Self-Editing for Redundancy
1. Have You Avoided Repeating the Same Words or Phrases?
While repetition can be used for emphasis or rhythm, overusing the same words or phrases without intention can weaken your story. Look for any words or phrases that you’ve repeated unnecessarily and consider replacing them with synonyms or varying your sentence structure.
- Remove repeated words unless they’re being used intentionally for effect.
- Vary your word choice to keep the language fresh and engaging.
Questions to Ask:
- Are there any words or phrases I’ve repeated without realizing?
- Can I replace repeated words with synonyms or alternative phrases?
2. Is There Redundant Information?
Picture books often use illustrations to convey elements of the story, which means you don’t need to explain everything in the text. Avoid repeating information that’s already clear from the illustrations. If the visuals show a character running, for example, there’s no need to state “the character is running” in the text.
- Let the illustrations speak for themselves without over-explaining in the text.
- Remove redundant information that’s already conveyed through the artwork.
Questions to Ask:
- Am I explaining something in the text that’s already clear from the illustrations?
- Is any information repeated unnecessarily across different parts of the story?
3. Check for Intentional Repetition
Repetition can be a powerful tool when used intentionally, particularly in picture books where rhythm and pattern can enhance the reading experience. Make sure any repetition is purposeful and adds value to the story, whether for dramatic effect, humor, or to create a memorable rhythm.
- Use repetition intentionally to create a desired effect or rhythm.
- Ensure repeated elements add value to the story rather than feeling redundant.
Questions to Ask:
- Is the repetition in my manuscript intentional, or is it accidental?
- Does the repetition serve a purpose in the story?
How to Self-Edit for Redundancy
Step 1: Identify Repeated Words or Phrases
Read through your manuscript and highlight any words or phrases that you’ve repeated unnecessarily. Look for opportunities to replace these with synonyms or rephrase the sentence to avoid repetition.
Step 2: Eliminate Redundant Information
Go through the manuscript and cross-check the text with the illustrations. Are there moments where the text describes something that’s already clear from the visuals? Remove any redundant information and let the illustrations tell part of the story.
Step 3: Review Intentional Repetition
If you’ve used repetition on purpose, review it to make sure it adds to the story rather than detracting from it. Ensure that the repetition is enhancing the rhythm or tone of the story and isn’t simply redundant.
Self-editing for redundancy ensures that your manuscript remains clear, engaging, and streamlined. By avoiding unnecessary repetition and allowing illustrations to contribute to the storytelling, you’ll create a more dynamic and enjoyable reading experience for your audience. Remember that while repetition can be a powerful tool, it should always be intentional and add value to the story.