I read a story on a forum where a person had spent a ton of money working with a graphic designer to self-publish their children’s picture book.  When it came time to upload the cover and internal book to Amazon, it was rejected because it was not an Amazon standard trim size.

The devastated author shared her wisdom to help others not fall into the trap of working with a professional that did not know about industry standards.

If you are self-publishing, you are the boss and the client.  As a client prior to working with an illustrator or graphic designer, take some time and do your own research on page count, trim sizes, and illustration formats.  Your designer team may also offer suggestions, but the trim size will need to align with how you will print your book. 

There are standard trim sizes with a common page count of 32 pages.  Authors can make decisions on page count and trim size based on cost-effective printing. 

While researching for trim sizes consider these suggestions:

• Do you want paperbacks or hardcopy books?  The cost is much higher for hardcopy books. 
• What sizes are established publishers using for their books in your genre?
• What size is your target market buying in your categories?
• If cost is not a major factor, consider the scenery layout in your story and does it align more with a certain trim size?
• If you are going to use Ingram Sparks and/or Amazon for print and distribution, check out their trim sizes.  There are standard trim sizes for both companies.

Trim sizes that are available by IngramSpark and Amazon’s KDP Print which has a similar list.

Storyboards

Once you have decided on your trim size, the storyboard is a perfect tool to plan and prepare for your book.  Use the storyboard as a visual tool to design the directional layout of your picture book.

Consider these suggestions with Storyboards:

• Create your own storyboard mock-up of what your layout looks like with text and illustrations, there are templates on the web. 
• Research similar genre illustrations and image scenery to get ideas for your book layout.
• If you are searching for an illustrator, discuss the types of mediums they use and does this align with your picture book vision.   
• If you are creative enough to write your story, don’t be afraid to come up with ideas for imagery scenes.
• If you are working with an illustrator, share your illustration ideas.
• If you are working with a graphic designer, share the black and white storyboard images with them so they can give you their professional suggestions with layout and scene ideas.

This part of the process is still in the infant stage of creating your book and it’s where you will work with your illustrator and graphic designer and give them room to use their creative genius.

When choosing a book team in self-publishing, it’s important to research, read testimonies, ask for examples of their work, and discuss copyright, pricing, and time frames.  And ask for a proposal with all this information.  This is your storybook that you are going to present to the world with your name on the front cover, alongside the illustrator.  Be proud of what you are creating for kids to read. 

And, while there are expectations of e-books dominating the book industry when it comes to children’s stories, don’t discount the power of printed books.  Those young consumers enjoy the look and feel of beautifully presented picture books and tuck them under their pillows or pop them in their schools’ bags to share with their kindy mates. 

References

Design a children’s picture book

Thinking Thursday Storyboarding

Forbes.com

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“But I like to be here. Oh, I like it a lot!”
Said the Cat in the Hat to the fish in the pot.
“I will NOT go away. I do NOT wish to go!
And so,” said the Cat in the Hat, “So so so …
I will show you another good game that I know!”

From the ‘Cat in the Hat’ by Dr Seuss

Children’s book authors suggest that it is not that the big publishing companies do not like rhyming picture books they love them if the rhyme and meter are perfect. 

Rhyming books for babies and younger children are wonderful.  The perfect pattern of repetition and sing-song like rhyme captures their imagination, and why when I wrote ‘Lottie’s Big Feelings’ in prose, I was determined to re-write the story in rhythm. 

I worked with a rhyming expert and after four edits and comments suggesting I reconsider my decision and write in prose, I paused my project and signed up for an online rhyming workshop. After the course, I submitted my rhyming story for an assessment with an international rhyming editor.  When they replied and asked for the original prose story, I asked why? 

I was surprised by their response with the simple reality that my story was stronger in prose. Writing in rhyme would also restrict the way that I was writing the story.  After several edits, I loved the results.  The story had a rhymical feel with a whimsical element of Florence Flamingo speaking in rhythm adding to her flamboyant character.  The rhyme would not have worked on the other two characters. And, as a storyteller, I would not have the freedom to describe hats with pearls popping out tiny curls, shrugging fury shoulders and red sparkly shoes and fluffy tutus. 

Four reasons why you need to consider writing narrative rather than rhyme:

1. Focus on the story that will help develop a child’s memory, vocabulary, concentration, and imagination.  Some children just love hearing the magic in the story.
2. The story comes first.  You have a beautiful, crafted story plot with strong characters and emotions. Rhyming the story may detract from the content rather than empower it.
3. You are a natural prose narrative writer with a unique voice.  Discover what is distinctly different about you as a storyteller and get creative and explore ways to introduce whimsical elements.
4. Michelle Medlock Adams shares there are top rhyming felonies in her online course ‘When Rhyme is a Crime’, and to not rhyme for the sake of rhyming.  Authors need to write their stories in prose and rhythm and find the perfect fit!

If you are going to write rhythming picture books, I suggest learning the art of writing meter and rhyme.  It is a skill and getting connected with the right experts, who are also children’s book authors will teach you that there are various kinds of rhyme and help you to find the right one.

I was fortunate to meet experts in the rhyming field who guided me to write this series in prose, but as a storyteller finding my stronger version in my next series just might be rhyme. 

Lottie’s Big Feelings Picture Book

If you would like support with rhyming your story, I suggest Jacking Hosking’s who is an Australian rhyming expert.  Jackie’s Rhyming Manuscript Editing Service

When Rhyme is a Crime with Michelle Medlock Adams

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The chances are that most people who desire to write a book get stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping. Months or years later, people think about their book goal and start writing again. The number of people that finish writing a book, then move through the entire pre-publishing stages of editing, copy editing, book cover design and the formatting process to finally publishing their book is approximately 30 out of 1,000 people.

Here are seven reasons why you need to write, finish and publish your story:

1. Ideas for stories form in many ways. Stories are superpower messages that can stir souls, enlarge lives and catapult dreams into a reality. What message do you carry in your heart? If there was one incredible opportunity to stand on a stage and share your message, what would it be? Think about it. Write your thoughts down. Break it into dot points and start writing your story.

2. You are a creator, creative’s build value, and impact people. What stories have you read that have inspired and challenged your heart?

3. Talents need the power to fly. Invest in your talent and let it develop:
• Write every day or most days. Don’t edit, just write in short spurts.
• Read valuable and empowering content from blogs and books.
• Watch movies that are based on novels or autobiographies.
• Watch author and writers videos and be inspired by why they write.
• Try out editing programs. I recently purchased Grammarly after trying out the free version. I write and then enable the editing program.

What’s the motive behind an inspiring authors story?

4. Become an explorer and have fun. There are no-cost online writing groups, bloggers and Facebook tribes all with the common goal to fulfil their dream. Join a group, connect with others and find a cheering squad. You don’t have to go this writing road alone.

5. Seek out a master expert. If you are starting out on this writing journey, search for others who can help you. Many authors and writers offer programs, mentoring and coaching for young aspiring creators. These experts have the traction we need to catch the fire of our dream and ignite passion. Do your research in connecting with experts.

6. Storytelling is an art. And, there are stories that must be told, to bring hope and empower the broken and lost. Stories also need to be passed on to others, like the stories and songs of old. They remind us of who we are and why we are here.

7. Who in your tribe has written a book? Is there a significant other in your life who would support you in your dream? If you are the first, be the forerunner and encourage others in your life to write their stories.

Resources:
http://www.marketingandsalesbooks.com/nl/contribution/1273/the-top-reason-people-never-finish-writing-their-book?c=73

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What does your self-publishing editorial team look like?  Finding the right people is essential in producing a book you can be proud to own and share with the world.

1. The 3 main types of editors to produce a great book: There are others, you may wish to consider.

Developmental Editing
Often called the big picture edit. Developmental Editing looks closely at the structures working within your text, such as themes, style, and tone.   I worked with a developmental editor who helped me work through issues like voice, sentence structure, and dialogue.

Copy-editing
This editor is the consistent person. The copy editor reviews, corrects and strengthens your manuscript. They focus on accuracy and formatting.

Proofreader
The Proofreader is your polisher.  This is the final stage editorial process.  Proofreaders will perform a thorough check of punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

2. If you are looking for an editorial team, go through the process of finding out if they are the right one.

This is your book; your dream. DO:

• Search writing forums, ask on your social media platforms and places like Reedsy.
• Look at their portfolios for quality
• Search on their website for books simular to yours
• Read blog’s and get a sense of their personality and writing subjects
• Read testimonies
• Google them!
• Ask for sample edits. My proofreader on Reedsy supplied a correction form to show how she edits and a sample of previous edits.   The correction form was the same form my formatter  As a proofreader, Anna had also worked for Harper books.  She provided everything I required and she was a perfect match.
• Read how they work in partnership. Some editors share a clear outline of what they require and what they do.  If they don’t, ask how the partnership will move forward.
• Ask about the price and timelines. Be clear with timelines.  Even if you don’t have a deadline, make one.  This will keep you both moving forward.
• Have a clear idea of your title, subtitle, genre, approximate word count, synopsis, and an example of a chapter. This will give them an idea if they want to work with you.  If they decline your invitation, move on and keep looking for your perfect match.
• If all of the above work out and you are still unsure, get them to edit a few chapters and take it from there.
• Skype if you can, the spark and energy will be present or not.

3. The right price may find the perfect match

If you think you have found the right partnership, it’s time to talk about the money:

• Some editors charge by the page or word count, while others charge by the hour.  Both my development editor and proofreader charged by the word count.  My proofreader charged $300 for 20,000 words.  She found about 175 edits.  I had to renegotiate with my formatter as her price included 50 edits.  I had just a few more than that.
• If you have found the right editor and their fee for your manuscript is outside your budget, consider asking for paying in installments or negotiate a lower amount.

4. Keep researching the self-publishing industry:

I researched Jane Friedman’s blog many times when I was looking for answers to questions about publishing.  It’s an excellent resource. https://janefriedman.com/blog

5. Enjoy the ride!

Resources:
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/04/4-levels-of-editing-explained-which-service-does-your-book-need/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/07/14/how-to-find-the-right-editor/

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