Professional Children’s Book Editing
To create and publish a successful children’s picture storybook there are a few facets of development that should be addressed early on by the author/illustrator/self-publisher. The two main factors in developing a children’s picture storybook are text development and editing, and art development and editing.
STEP 1 - Critique – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
 The text development stage begins with the author’s great idea for a book. Before any actual text editing begins we critique the author’s manuscript. At RJ Communications we feel it is important to tell the author if the concept is a marketable premise and if the concept is appropriate for the primary readership for which it is intended. Suggestions may be made to adjust the manuscript so that it will be more marketable. This may involve changing the story a bit. The proposed format for the book (upright, oblong or square) may also be recommended at this point. NOTE: It is important that this step be done in advance of ordering any illustration work.
Price for Critique - $199
STEP 2 – Text Editing – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Then, if the author decides to proceed, the actual text editing begins. The author and editor fine-tune the concept as needed. The editor reviews the manuscript for word count, content, language and vocabulary usage, and sentence structure to make sure the text is age appropriate. This step includes copyediting (reviewing and correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling), line-editing (revising the text to improve streamline the storytelling), rewriting (suggesting how to rewrite the manuscript if it is required) as needed. The editor also reviews the manuscript for format to make sure the proposed text fits into the intended final format that will be printed. This involves making sure the text breaks (each portion of copy on a page or spread) will result in the best art layout.
Price for Text Editing (32 page illustrated children’s book) - $649
STEP 3 - Art Editing - RECOMMENDED
Once the copyedited manuscript is complete, the editor reviews and critiques the author’s page for page ideas for art and/or suggests art descriptions for the entire book. The editor can also help the author determine a suitable art style for the book based on the story content, the age of the audience for which it is intended, and the market into which the book will be sold. Art editing ensures that the art descriptions proposed for each page or spread of the book enhance the pace and flow of the storytelling and ensures that the art will complement the text and will visually tell the story in the most dynamic and effective way.
The editor reviews the black and white pencil sketches for each page of the book and offers suggestions for changes if needed. The editor reviews the full-color art for the book and offers suggestions for changes if needed. Review of both the pencils and full color art ensures that the elements of the drawings are consistent throughout the book, that characters remain “on model” and that the color palette is carried through consistently. Next, the editor reviews the art in preliminary page layouts. This stage includes the manuscript in typeset form positioned with the art for the entire book. The type style and face and line breaks of the text are considered and evaluated. Once the editor and author have reviewed any revisions to the prelim page layouts and the author has approved the final full-color proofs, the book is ready to print.
Price for Art Editing (32 page illustrated book) - $649
Complete Editing Package – Critique, Text Editing, Art Editing - $1395
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