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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 Story Structure


Learn how to self-edit your manuscript for clear story structure before sending it to an editor or beta reader. Ensure your story has a strong beginning, middle, and end.

How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Story Structure

Overview: Before sending your manuscript to an editor or beta reader, it's essential to make sure the story structure is solid. Story structure is the foundation of any great picture book. By focusing on a clear beginning, middle, and end, you'll ensure that your narrative flows smoothly and engages readers. In this article, we'll guide you through self-editing your manuscript for story structure, an important part of the developmental editing process.


Why Story Structure Matters

Story structure is the backbone of your manuscript. It keeps readers engaged by providing a clear path from the introduction to the resolution. Without a solid structure, even the most beautifully written scenes can feel disjointed or confusing. A well-structured story:

  • Keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
  • Provides a logical flow that is easy to follow.
  • Offers a satisfying resolution that wraps up loose ends.

Key Elements of Story Structure

When self-editing for story structure, focus on these key elements:

1. Clear Beginning

The beginning of your story sets the tone and hooks your reader. It’s also where you introduce your main character and establish the setting. By the end of the first few pages, readers should know:

  • Who the main character is and what makes them unique.
  • What the setting is and how it shapes the story.
  • The problem or conflict that will drive the narrative forward.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does the story start with action or an interesting scene that captures attention?
  • Is the main character introduced in the first few pages?
  • Is it clear what challenge or problem the character will face?

2. Engaging Middle

The middle of your story should develop the plot and deepen your reader’s connection to the characters. This is where the bulk of your story takes place, including obstacles, conflict, and character development. Ensure that:

  • The stakes are rising and the tension builds as the story progresses.
  • Each scene pushes the story forward and deepens the character's journey.

Questions to Ask:

  • Are there enough obstacles to keep readers interested?
  • Does each scene build on the previous one, maintaining momentum?

3. Satisfying Ending

Your ending should resolve the main conflict and provide a sense of closure. In picture books, this can be particularly important, as young readers benefit from a clear resolution that ties up the story. Your ending should:

  • Resolve the problem or conflict that was introduced early on.
  • Leave readers with a sense of satisfaction or a lesson learned.

Questions to Ask:

  • Is the resolution clear and satisfying?
  • Does the ending feel natural, not rushed or abrupt?

How to Self-Edit for Story Structure

Follow these steps to review and refine your manuscript’s structure:

Step 1: Read Through Your Manuscript as a Reader

Start by reading through your manuscript from start to finish. Try to experience it as a first-time reader would. Take notes on moments where you felt confused or where the pacing slowed down. These are areas that may need structural adjustments.

Step 2: Break It Down by Sections

Examine each section—beginning, middle, and end—separately to make sure they are all well-developed. For each section, ask yourself the key questions mentioned above.

Step 3: Ensure the Main Character is Introduced Early

Your main character should be front and center within the first few pages. If you haven’t introduced your character early enough, consider rewriting the opening to focus on them right away.

Step 4: Focus on Transitions

Check how each scene or section transitions into the next. Are the shifts smooth, or do they feel jarring? Good transitions are essential to keep readers engaged and help maintain the story’s flow.

Step 5: Make Sure the Ending Resolves the Conflict

Finally, revisit your ending. Does it resolve the conflict or problem introduced in the beginning? Ensure that there is no lingering confusion and that readers are left with a sense of closure.


Self-editing for story structure is crucial to ensure that your manuscript is easy to follow and satisfying for readers. Before moving on to the next steps in your editing process, take the time to make sure that your story has a strong beginning, middle, and end, and that your main character is clearly introduced early on. This will give you a solid foundation before working with an editor or sending it to beta readers.


Last Updated: about 1 month

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