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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 Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Theme


Learn how to self-edit your manuscript to ensure your theme is clear and resonates with your target audience without feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Theme

Overview: The theme of your picture book is the core message or lesson you want to convey to your readers. It could be about friendship, bravery, perseverance, or any number of values or life lessons. When self-editing, it’s important to ensure that this theme comes across clearly and naturally. The key is to convey your message without sounding too preachy or heavy-handed, while making sure it resonates with your target audience’s developmental stage.


Why Editing for Theme is Important

A picture book’s theme helps children connect with the story on a deeper level. Whether it’s a moral lesson or a simple message of kindness, the theme should feel authentic and align with the experiences of your young readers. At the same time, the theme should not overshadow the story itself. Readers are drawn to stories that feel genuine, where the message is woven seamlessly into the narrative.


Key Considerations When Self-Editing for Theme

1. Does the Book Have a Clear Theme or Moral?

Your theme should be easy to understand and resonate with your target audience. It doesn’t need to be overly complex, but it should be present throughout the story, subtly guiding the narrative without overwhelming it.

  • Ensure your theme is woven naturally into the story, so it feels like a natural part of the plot, not a forced lesson.
  • Keep the theme focused, avoiding too many competing messages or morals that could dilute the clarity of your message.

Questions to Ask:

  • Is the theme clear without being explicitly stated?
  • Does the story naturally convey the theme, or does it feel too forced or heavy-handed?
  • Is the theme present from beginning to end?

2. Is the Message Appropriate for Your Audience?

The theme should align with the developmental stage of your readers. Younger children appreciate simple, straightforward lessons, while older readers may enjoy more nuanced or layered messages.

  • Make sure the theme matches your audience’s level of understanding, so they can grasp it easily.
  • Check that the theme reflects values or experiences that your readers can relate to, whether it’s about friendship, family, or overcoming challenges.

Questions to Ask:

  • Is the theme appropriate for the age group you’re writing for?
  • Can young readers relate to the message based on their developmental stage?

3. Does the Message Feel Natural, Not Preachy?

One of the most important aspects of a well-executed theme is subtlety. Your theme should be present throughout the story, but it shouldn’t feel like a lecture. Let your characters and plot demonstrate the lesson or message without overtly stating it.

  • Use actions and consequences to convey the message, rather than having characters explain the lesson directly.
  • Focus on showing, not telling, so the theme emerges naturally from the story.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does the message feel natural, or is it too on-the-nose?
  • Are there parts of the story where the theme is explained too directly?

How to Self-Edit for Theme

Step 1: Identify the Core Theme

Start by identifying the core theme or moral of your story. What is the central message you want to convey? Make sure you can summarize it in a sentence or two, and that it aligns with the overall narrative.

Step 2: Check for Subtlety

Go through your manuscript and look for places where the theme might be too explicitly stated. Try to rework these sections to let the message come across through actions, dialogue, and plot development instead of direct explanation.

Step 3: Ensure Consistency

Make sure the theme is consistent throughout the book. From the beginning to the end, the theme should be present in the story, helping guide the characters and plot. Ensure that all parts of the story contribute to reinforcing the theme.

Step 4: Match the Theme to Your Audience

Consider your target audience’s age and developmental stage. Ensure that the message you’re conveying is something they can understand and relate to. If needed, simplify or adjust the theme to make it clearer for younger readers.


Self-editing for theme is essential to ensure that your book’s message resonates with your target audience. A clear and well-integrated theme will add depth to your story without feeling preachy or forced. Take the time to review how your message is conveyed and ensure it feels natural, age-appropriate, and engaging for your readers.


Last Updated: about 1 month

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