I've watched so many other videos on how to get started with children's books, but I always came back to you. You're very likable and not pompous or giving off the "Look at me and what I accomplished, aren't I grand?" vibe. I'm in. Thank you.
I have to say that I was not expecting that bit of humour at the first. "What is a dummy book? Is it just stupid?" Very pythonesque. Brilliant! Thank you for that one, and this video of course. Even if you're saying something I already know you have one of those rare qualities of presentation that pleasantly remind, when not teaching. So I would guess, teaching when teaching? 😁
Jules, I am working on my very first children’s book (or any book!) at the age of 46! I wanted to let you know that you have been a huge blessing to me! Your wonderful tutorials and positive, upbeat attitude have been priceless! May God continue to bless you! Thank you so much!
Great idea! I made the mistake of drawing all the animals, kids, trees etc and water colored them. Then I cut each one out leaving white paper around them. Then slipped then into the pages in a Keynote (PowerPoint) on my MacBook Pro. It all looked great and put the pages up on Amazon KDP. When it was published I had made transparencies for some of the images but the ones where I cut out without transparacies had lines where it was cut. I ended up hiring somewhere on Fiverr to erase them! I don’t have pho shop or illustrated so couldn’t do it myself.
Wow, super-thank you for this! I’m at the exact stage of finishing the story/text and was wondering about how to go about this part (I illustrate). So helpfull 👍🏻🙂
Hi, Jules, I really enjoyed your video, it was very clear and fun. But I do have one question. For the final dummy book, what do you do about the copyright page before you send it to the publisher? I can't find any answers.
You could do it in adobe indesign and then export it in epub format or pdf and view on your devices. So there is no need for printing anything. Saves you time, and you can access it anytime.
Hi Jules, this is very helpful. Thank you. I was wondering if you incorporate bleeds and margins at this stage or not worry about that until the final artwork? I’m a bit confused if I should be making my dummy the actual size or larger to incorporate bleeds? Many thanks x
Very important- crucial. It doesn’t have to be the same all the way through though. The setting will add to atmosphere and give your characters and plot grounding.
Thanks for your helpful videos, especially this one. I have a question about the number of pages in the dummy book and thumbnail. Earlier in the video, you mentioned that you do a thumbnail with a single page at beginning and end, with 12 double page spreads inbetween. This brings it up to 26 pages in total. Is this because you need to leave about 6 pages blank for the copyright and other info, which gets included when the book is published? Should these blank pages be included in the dummy book or is there no need to include them at this stage?
Hi Samantha- yes I’d add them and put what you intend the page to be- title page, etc. I also give an idea of what design I’m going to put on the endpages.
Yes - you can add the text where you expect to see it. It will still help you understand the rhythm of your story. And you can add notes for the illustrator on the page.
This is soooo helpful! Thank you for making these informative (and entertaining) videos. Random thought, my hands/fingers and your hands/fingers look very similar! How odd! :)
Hi Jules, I wonder if I could ask your advice please? My dummy book is too short to fit into the standard 32 page layout. Is it better to submit a 24 page layout which works perfectly with my story, or should I do the standard 32 pages which will mean a load of blank pages at the end of the story? I can't seem to find answers on this by searching. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Nicola, it depends on how you are publishing. If you are sending it to a traditional publisher, you can send it as a 24, although most prefer it to be 32. If you are self publishing, companies may have a minimum page count, so you might have to have blank pages. Is there any way you can put something on your blank pages? A double page spread of a pattern? Or your website details and ‘Also by Nicola’ if you have other books or art you can advertise?
@@JulesMarriner Thank you so much Jules! That's all so super helpful and great ideas! My hope is to submit it to a publisher first but if I don't get anywhere then possibly self publish instead. I bought the most up to date Children's Writers & Artists yearbook as a guide and your videos are wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help! Nicola 😀
I have an almost complete picture book but is it a good idea to send photocopies o'f complete drawings? Is it better to send a redrawn rough dummy book instead? Is there a possibility publishers could plagiarise ideas and give them to established authors? Thank you.
Hi Mari, you need to look on individual publishers websites to see their submission guidelines. Many want digital files, but some might like to see dummy books and a couple of finished or rough artwork pieces. It’s unlikely that they will steal your idea, but you could always mail yourself a physical copy. Remember not to open it, then you have a post dated piece of evidence, should you need it.
I've watched so many other videos on how to get started with children's books, but I always came back to you. You're very likable and not pompous or giving off the "Look at me and what I accomplished, aren't I grand?" vibe. I'm in. Thank you.
I have to say that I was not expecting that bit of humour at the first. "What is a dummy book? Is it just stupid?" Very pythonesque. Brilliant! Thank you for that one, and this video of course. Even if you're saying something I already know you have one of those rare qualities of presentation that pleasantly remind, when not teaching. So I would guess, teaching when teaching? 😁
Jules, I am working on my very first children’s book (or any book!) at the age of 46! I wanted to let you know that you have been a huge blessing to me! Your wonderful tutorials and positive, upbeat attitude have been priceless! May God continue to bless you! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much 😊 x
I appreciate your content. I've been wanting to make a children's book for a while but never had the tools, until now. Thank you. I've subscribed! 🙌
Thank you. You explain so good the dummy book. I have not idea that way to create a story
Great idea! I made the mistake of drawing all the animals, kids, trees etc and water colored them. Then I cut each one out leaving white paper around them. Then slipped then into the pages in a Keynote (PowerPoint) on my MacBook Pro. It all looked great and put the pages up on Amazon KDP. When it was published I had made transparencies for some of the images but the ones where I cut out without transparacies had lines where it was cut. I ended up hiring somewhere on Fiverr to erase them! I don’t have pho shop or illustrated so couldn’t do it myself.
Thank you! ❤ I’m going to finally write the children’s books I have been dreaming of
You have got this!
Jules You are amazing. Your knowledge and your great personality are a real win win. Thank you for sharing such a high quality video’s. ❤❤❤🎉
Aw thanks Carmen x
Oh boy!! This video truly takes us there. Now I know why my page layouts didn't work out. You're a "Jules".
Thanks Sharon 😇
Wow, super-thank you for this! I’m at the exact stage of finishing the story/text and was wondering about how to go about this part (I illustrate). So helpfull 👍🏻🙂
This is so helpful, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Love this very helpful
Thank you! This is so helpful
Dont you feel so proud when you make your dummy book. When you did I was thinking Wow what an achievement. Im so proud of you. Thank you
Thank you Jules, this was great info.🤗🤣🤗🤣
You are so welcome!
i love your content Jules, God bless and more inspiration in times to come!
Thank you so much!
This is fabulous. So practical. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi, Jules, I really enjoyed your video, it was very clear and fun. But I do have one question. For the final dummy book, what do you do about the copyright page before you send it to the publisher? I can't find any answers.
Leave it for the publisher to sort out 😀
You could do it in adobe indesign and then export it in epub format or pdf and view on your devices. So there is no need for printing anything. Saves you time, and you can access it anytime.
okay, since I just learning this is a good place to start. What is the paper for the layout? It looks see through.
Hi Jules, Question: What number of pencil is best to use when drawing the dummy thumbnails?
Hi Dave, I would go with a 3B. Try one and see how it goes.
@@JulesMarriner Thank you!
Hi Jules, this is very helpful. Thank you. I was wondering if you incorporate bleeds and margins at this stage or not worry about that until the final artwork? I’m a bit confused if I should be making my dummy the actual size or larger to incorporate bleeds? Many thanks x
H Natalie- I only add the bleed at the artwork stage, not the dummy stage. It’s only really useful for the printing stage.
This is great thanks Jules 👍 how important is the "setting" in a picture book story? And do you have to be consistent about it throughout the story?
Very important- crucial. It doesn’t have to be the same all the way through though. The setting will add to atmosphere and give your characters and plot grounding.
Thanks for your helpful videos, especially this one. I have a question about the number of pages in the dummy book and thumbnail. Earlier in the video, you mentioned that you do a thumbnail with a single page at beginning and end, with 12 double page spreads inbetween. This brings it up to 26 pages in total. Is this because you need to leave about 6 pages blank for the copyright and other info, which gets included when the book is published? Should these blank pages be included in the dummy book or is there no need to include them at this stage?
Hi Samantha- yes I’d add them and put what you intend the page to be- title page, etc. I also give an idea of what design I’m going to put on the endpages.
So the book you show at the end is that the first copy you send to your agent or do you send the pencil sketch one?
I would send a digital version of it to start with, then if they show interest you can mail them the copy, not the pencil sketch one.
I so enjoyed this, thank you! However I want to learn how to make a childrens story ready to upload to KDP Amazon?
Here you go...
ruclips.net/video/iBwikGzG3Bw/видео.html
❤️❤️❤️
Hi there! If I’m not planning to be the illustrator is it still a good idea to make a dummy book?
Yes - you can add the text where you expect to see it. It will still help you understand the rhythm of your story. And you can add notes for the illustrator on the page.
Thank you so much!!
Subscribed ❤
Why would you send it out to print/copied like a regular book..
This is soooo helpful! Thank you for making these informative (and entertaining) videos. Random thought, my hands/fingers and your hands/fingers look very similar! How odd! :)
We might be twin hands! Do you remember that in Friends? 😂
Hi Jules, I wonder if I could ask your advice please? My dummy book is too short to fit into the standard 32 page layout. Is it better to submit a 24 page layout which works perfectly with my story, or should I do the standard 32 pages which will mean a load of blank pages at the end of the story? I can't seem to find answers on this by searching. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Nicola, it depends on how you are publishing. If you are sending it to a traditional publisher, you can send it as a 24, although most prefer it to be 32. If you are self publishing, companies may have a minimum page count, so you might have to have blank pages. Is there any way you can put something on your blank pages? A double page spread of a pattern? Or your website details and ‘Also by Nicola’ if you have other books or art you can advertise?
@@JulesMarriner Thank you so much Jules! That's all so super helpful and great ideas! My hope is to submit it to a publisher first but if I don't get anywhere then possibly self publish instead. I bought the most up to date Children's Writers & Artists yearbook as a guide and your videos are wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help! Nicola 😀
I have an almost complete picture book but is it a good idea to send photocopies o'f complete drawings? Is it better to send a redrawn rough dummy book instead?
Is there a possibility publishers could plagiarise ideas and give them to established authors?
Thank you.
Hi Mari, you need to look on individual publishers websites to see their submission guidelines. Many want digital files, but some might like to see dummy books and a couple of finished or rough artwork pieces. It’s unlikely that they will steal your idea, but you could always mail yourself a physical copy. Remember not to open it, then you have a post dated piece of evidence, should you need it.
@@JulesMarriner Thank you! 😊
Thank you for this! Can I do a colour dummy book or is black & white better?
Hi Nicola- you can do either but colour might take longer. It’s up to your preference.
@@JulesMarriner Thank you so much!! Really appreciate you replying & your videos are so helpful, thank you! 😀