Are you writing a children's picture book? A successful outcome could hinge on finding a special kind of editor. But a children’s book editor, and in particular a picture book editor, should be looking at word count, age appropriateness, rhyme and meter, and page count. lack of character emotion (this is usually an issue of show versus tell)Ī book editor should look at all of these things, regardless of book genre.At its heart, an editorial assessment is an author’s opportunity to find problems with a book. The editorial assessment is a high-level overview of a book, and as such, it is the first step in editing a book. The first editorial service an author should seek is an editorial assessment. Even the most seasoned authors need help. But the hard truth is, almost no book is. book illustration (text layout, illustration layout, and consistency)Įvery author wants to believe their book is perfect.

is the text telling us what the art is showing?.Here are the steps required for editing a children’s picture book: But it is still important to understand: what does a children’s book editor do? So let’s take a look! And an author who is self-publishing a children’s picture book may not find an editor who will fill all those roles. The truth is, not all children’s book editors are created equal. But it is also the editor’s job to know the target market, help with book design, and act as an art director. Why? Because an editor really plays many roles in the children’s book publishing process. Which can be a real problem for an author who is planning to self-publish a book! And when it comes to publishing a children’s picture book, it can get even more confusing. Line edit, developmental edit, copy edit, proofread … there are enough editorial services to make a new author’s head spin.

Picture book manuscript examples