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 Vocabulary
How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Vocabulary
Overview: Vocabulary plays a crucial role in how young readers engage with a story. The right words can make your manuscript vibrant and engaging, while overly difficult words can confuse and frustrate your readers. When self-editing your manuscript, it’s important to ensure that the vocabulary you use is appropriate for your target age group. Your word choices should be simple enough to understand but also rich and descriptive enough to capture attention.
Why Vocabulary is Important
The vocabulary in a picture book must be carefully chosen to match the reading level and developmental stage of your audience. Overusing difficult words can make the story harder to follow, while too simple a vocabulary can make it dull. Striking a balance between easy-to-understand words and vibrant, engaging language helps create a story that is both accessible and captivating.
Key Considerations When Self-Editing for Vocabulary
1. Is the Vocabulary Appropriate for Your Target Age Group?
Each age group has a different level of language comprehension. Ensure that your vocabulary is tailored to your specific audience. For younger children, focus on simple and familiar words, while introducing one or two new words that challenge their vocabulary.
- Use age-appropriate words that match the reading level of your audience.
- Introduce new vocabulary sparingly, ensuring it's clear from context or illustrations.
Questions to Ask:
- Are the words I’m using appropriate for my readers' developmental stage?
- Will young readers understand the words without getting confused?
2. Avoid Overusing Difficult or Complex Words
Complex or unfamiliar words can make your story difficult to understand and disrupt the flow of the narrative. While it’s okay to introduce a few new words to expand your readers’ vocabulary, avoid overloading the manuscript with too many hard-to-understand terms.
- Replace overly difficult words with simpler alternatives, unless they are essential to the story.
- Use illustrations or context to support any challenging vocabulary, helping readers grasp new words without confusion.
Questions to Ask:
- Are there any words that feel too difficult for the audience?
- Could simpler, more familiar words be used in their place?
3. Use Vibrant, Engaging, and Descriptive Words
While simplicity is important, your vocabulary should also be rich and engaging. Descriptive language brings your story to life and keeps readers interested. Look for opportunities to replace bland or vague words with more colorful and exciting ones that enhance the reading experience.
- Choose words that are both simple and descriptive, painting a vivid picture for the reader.
- Engage your readers with vibrant vocabulary that makes the story feel dynamic and alive.
Questions to Ask:
- Does my word choice help paint a clear, vivid picture for the reader?
- Are there any places where the vocabulary could be more engaging or descriptive?
How to Self-Edit for Vocabulary
Step 1: Review the Vocabulary for Age Appropriateness
Go through your manuscript and evaluate the vocabulary with your target audience in mind. Highlight any words that might be too advanced for your readers and consider replacing them with simpler alternatives.
Step 2: Simplify or Clarify Difficult Words
For any complex words you’ve chosen to keep, ensure they are supported by context or illustrations. If the meaning of the word isn’t clear from the story, consider simplifying it or explaining it naturally within the narrative.
Step 3: Replace Bland Words with Vibrant, Descriptive Language
Look for places in your manuscript where the language feels dull or uninspired. Replace bland words with more engaging, descriptive alternatives that help bring the story to life. Focus on creating vivid imagery through your word choice.
Step 4: Read Aloud for Flow
As you read your manuscript aloud, pay attention to the vocabulary. Does it feel natural and appropriate for your target audience? Ensure the words flow smoothly and that nothing stands out as too difficult or jarring.
Self-editing for vocabulary ensures that your manuscript is both accessible and engaging for your target audience. By using age-appropriate words, avoiding overly complex language, and choosing vibrant, descriptive vocabulary, you’ll create a story that captivates young readers while helping them develop their language skills.