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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

    Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright

    How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story

    How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book

    How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story

    How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book

    How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story

    How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book

    Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company

    How To Plan Your Story Using Flow

    Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type

    How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book

    How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book

    Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction

    How To Plan Where Your Story Begins

    How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book

    How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis 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 Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books

    How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov

    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 Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live

    How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live

    Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books

    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 Enter Your Isbn In The Section

    How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author

    How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide


Designing

    Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book

    Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book

    How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book

    How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard

    How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience

    Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books

    Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book

    Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow

    How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book

    How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book

    How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book

    How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover

    How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book

    How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity

    How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard

    How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live

    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 Selfedit For Filler Words

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary

    Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme

    How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure

    How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue

    How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling

    How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book

    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 Redundancy

    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 Find and Hire a Professional Editor for Your Illustrated Book


Working with a professional editor is highly recommended for self-publishing authors. Learn how to find the right editor, ask the right questions, and collaborate effectively to polish your illustrated book.

How to Find and Hire a Professional Editor for Your Illustrated Book

While self-editing is an important part of the writing process, hiring a professional editor can take your book to the next level. An editor can help you refine your manuscript, ensuring it’s polished, engaging, and ready for publication. Although not required, working with an editor is strongly recommended for self-published authors, especially if you’re working on an illustrated book. Here's everything you need to know about finding and hiring the right editor.

Why Hire a Professional Editor?

A professional editor brings an objective, experienced eye to your manuscript. They can help you with various aspects of your book, including:

  • Polishing the Text: Editors catch grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies that you may have missed during self-editing.
  • Enhancing Story Flow: A good editor will help ensure your story flows smoothly from one page to the next, which is critical in picture books where pacing matters.
  • Improving Character and Dialogue: Editors can provide valuable feedback on character development and dialogue, ensuring that each voice feels authentic and true to the age of the characters.
  • Ensuring Age Appropriateness: Editors, especially those experienced with children’s books, can ensure your content is appropriate for the target audience in terms of both language and themes.

Working with an editor is like having a partner who helps you fine-tune your book, making it the best it can be before publication.

Types of Editors and What They Do

There are different types of editors, each with their own focus. Depending on the needs of your manuscript, you may work with one or more of the following:

  • Developmental Editor: A developmental editor helps with the big picture. They focus on the structure, pacing, character development, and overall flow of the story. They can help you make sure your book has a strong foundation and that your story resonates with readers.
  • Line Editor: Line editors work on the sentence level, improving the flow and readability of your manuscript. They help refine word choice, sentence structure, and tone, making sure your story reads smoothly and keeps the reader engaged.
  • Copy Editor: A copy editor focuses on the technical aspects of the text, correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency. They also check for continuity errors or inconsistencies in the narrative.
  • Proofreader: Proofreaders are the last line of defense before publication. They focus on catching any remaining typos, punctuation errors, or formatting issues.

Depending on the stage of your manuscript, you may need to hire a combination of these editors or focus on one area.

How to Find a Professional Editor

Finding the right editor can feel daunting, but there are several reliable ways to connect with experienced professionals who specialize in self-publishing and illustrated books:

  • Referrals: Start by asking other authors in your network or writing communities for recommendations. Personal referrals can lead you to trusted editors who have a proven track record.
  • Editing Associations: Organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) or the Association of Canadian Editorial Professionals (Editors Canada) are great places to find vetted professionals who specialize in different types of editing.
  • Freelance Platforms: Websites like Reedsy, Fiverr, and Upwork allow you to browse editor profiles, see reviews, and compare rates. These platforms are a great starting point for finding freelance editors with experience in your genre.
  • Author Groups: Many self-publishing communities, both online and offline, offer resources for finding editors who understand the specific needs of indie authors. Look for groups that focus on children’s books, picture books, or your genre specifically.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Editor

Once you've identified potential editors, it’s important to have a conversation to make sure they’re the right fit for your project. Here are some key questions to ask:

  • Do you have experience editing picture books or illustrated books? It's crucial that your editor understands the unique dynamics of working with text and illustrations.
  • Can you provide samples of your previous work? Review their past projects to ensure their editing style aligns with your vision.
  • What types of editing services do you provide? Clarify whether they offer developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, or all of the above.
  • What is your turnaround time? Make sure the editor’s availability matches your timeline.
  • What are your rates, and how do you charge? Some editors charge per word, page, or hour. Be clear about the costs up front to avoid surprises.

How to Work with a Professional Editor

Working with an editor is a collaborative process. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and productive experience:

  • Be Open to Feedback: An editor's job is to help improve your manuscript, but that means they may suggest changes that you didn’t expect. Keep an open mind and remember that their goal is to make your book stronger.
  • Provide Context: Let your editor know about your vision, your target audience, and any specific concerns you have about the manuscript. The more context they have, the better they can tailor their feedback to meet your needs.
  • Communicate Clearly: Make sure you and your editor are on the same page regarding deadlines, expectations, and the scope of the work. Good communication will help avoid misunderstandings.
  • Be Ready for Multiple Rounds: Editing is often a multi-step process. Be prepared for revisions after the first round of edits, and understand that this is part of refining your story.

Last Updated: about 1 month

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