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Expert guidance, creative inspiration, and practical tips to help children’s book authors bring their visual stories to life.

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Print-on-Demand vs. Offset Printing: Choosing the Right Path for Your Picture Book

Choosing between print-on-demand and offset printing is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make for your picture book. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the specifications, costs, quality considerations, and distribution implications of each printing method to help you make an informed choice aligned with your publishing goals, budget, and timeline.

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Mastering Page Turns: The Secret Weapon of Successful Picture Books

Picture books possess a unique storytelling advantage that no other medium can replicate: the physical page turn. This simple act creates moments of anticipation, pause, and revelation that can elevate your story from good to unforgettable. Learn how to harness this powerful technique to create more engaging, memorable picture books that keep young readers coming back for more.

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Creating a Picture Book Dummy: Step-by-Step Guide

A picture book dummy is the secret tool professional creators use to test their stories before committing to final artwork. This step-by-step guide shows you how to create and use this essential planning tool, helping you identify structural problems early and ensure your narrative fits perfectly within industry-standard formats.

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A watercolor style illustration of a stack of papers with a pencil, moving over to a blue arrow pointing to children's book character dragons

Picture Book Writing: How to Think Visually Like an Illustrator

Most picture book writers don’t realize they’re only telling half the story. Learn how to develop “illustrator vision” with practical exercises that help you see beyond your words, leave room for visual storytelling, and create manuscripts that appeal to editors and engage young readers on multiple levels.

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Watercolor background with the Made Live logo centered at the top. A green hardcover book with a large "X" over top of it and an illustration of a woman with her hand up, frowning as she rejects the book.

Why Editors Reject Picture Books: Is Your Main Character Too Passive?

Are you facing unexplained rejections for your picture book manuscript despite beautiful writing and a compelling concept? The problem might be the “silent manuscript killer” that most authors miss: lack of character agency. Discover why editors and agents immediately notice when your protagonist isn’t driving the story forward, and learn practical techniques to transform a passive main character into an active hero that young readers will connect with. This critical but often overlooked element could be the difference between rejection and request for your children’s book.

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Featured Articles

Watercolor style illustration of a woman working on a laptop. Her hair is in a loose bun at the nape of her neck and she wears dark glasses and a scarf with a slight smile on her face.

6 Reasons You Should Consider Self-Publishing

Self-publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its accessibility and freedom of expression Rejection rates for traditional publishing are reported to be around 99% making it difficult for aspiring authors to get their work out into the world.

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