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 Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your 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 Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
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
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks 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 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
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
Designing
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
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 Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
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 Your Audience
How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Your Audience
Overview: Writing for children requires a clear understanding of your target audience, including their developmental level and interests. When self-editing your manuscript, it’s important to ensure that your language, themes, and ideas are appropriate for your readers. Whether you're writing for toddlers or middle graders, your story should be simple enough to grasp but engaging enough to hold their attention. In this article, we'll focus on how to self-edit your manuscript with your audience in mind, ensuring your story is suitable and captivating.
Why Editing for Your Audience Matters
Every story should resonate with its intended audience. A great manuscript doesn't just tell a good story—it connects with readers in a way that's appropriate for their age and level of understanding. Without proper attention to the needs of your target audience, you risk creating a story that is either too simplistic, too complex, or even inappropriate for your readers. Editing with your audience in mind ensures:
- Engagement: The language and themes are interesting and relatable for your readers.
- Suitability: The content is appropriate for the age group in terms of complexity, language, and tone.
- Clarity: Your ideas are easy to understand without sacrificing engagement or excitement.
Key Considerations When Editing for Your Audience
1. Language Suitability
The language in your manuscript should match the developmental level of your target readers. This doesn’t mean oversimplifying—children can understand a surprising amount—but your word choices should be accessible without being condescending.
- Keep sentences short and clear, especially for younger readers.
- Use vocabulary that your audience will understand while introducing a few new words to expand their language.
- Avoid complex sentence structures that could confuse young readers.
Questions to Ask:
- Is the language too advanced or too simplistic for my target audience?
- Are there any words or phrases that might be confusing for the age group?
- Is there enough repetition or variation in sentence structure to maintain engagement?
2. Theme and Idea Complexity
Picture books, in particular, should focus on themes that are easy to grasp. However, even simple ideas can be layered to create depth and engagement. Themes should be age-appropriate, while still encouraging imagination and thought.
- Keep themes relatable to the everyday experiences of your readers, whether it’s about friendship, emotions, or adventure.
- Avoid overly complex ideas that younger children might not fully understand, but offer room for curiosity and discovery.
Questions to Ask:
- Are the themes relatable to my audience's life experience?
- Is the central idea easy to follow from start to finish?
- Are there opportunities to add layers of meaning without confusing the reader?
3. Appropriateness of Content
Children's stories should be free of anything too intense or frightening for their developmental level. While some conflict is necessary to keep the story engaging, it should be resolved in a way that leaves readers feeling secure.
- Avoid content that might be too scary or emotionally overwhelming for your target age group.
- Ensure a positive resolution that wraps up the story in a way that feels safe and satisfying.
Questions to Ask:
- Is there anything in the story that could be too scary or inappropriate for my readers?
- Does the resolution leave a sense of closure and reassurance?
- Are the conflicts resolved in a way that is appropriate for the emotional maturity of the audience?
How to Self-Edit for Your Audience
Step 1: Define Your Audience
Before diving into your self-edit, make sure you have a clear picture of your target readers. Are they toddlers, preschoolers, or older children? Understanding their reading level, interests, and emotional maturity will guide your editing process.
Step 2: Review Language and Tone
Go through your manuscript with a focus on language. Simplify any overly complex sentences, while ensuring the tone remains engaging. Keep in mind that children enjoy stories with rhythm, repetition, and fun sounds, especially in picture books.
Step 3: Examine the Themes
Consider whether the themes and ideas are suited to your readers. Younger children may appreciate simple ideas like friendship or adventure, while older children may enjoy more complex themes like perseverance or emotional growth.
Step 4: Check for Age-Appropriate Content
Make sure that nothing in your story could be too intense or inappropriate for your readers. This includes evaluating conflicts, the emotional weight of the story, and the resolution.
Step 5: Read Aloud
Reading your manuscript aloud can help you get a feel for the flow of the language and whether it sounds natural for the intended age group. Pay attention to how the story would sound to a child and adjust the pacing or wording accordingly.
Self-editing for your audience is crucial to ensure your manuscript resonates with the readers it’s intended for. By tailoring your language, themes, and content to your target age group, you’ll create a story that is not only engaging but also age-appropriate and meaningful. Before moving on to further developmental edits or sending it to an editor, take the time to refine your manuscript with your audience in mind.