How to Publish a Children’s Book: A Step-by-Step Guide

Publishing a children’s book is a wonderful way to inspire the next generation of readers and share your creativity with others. It takes work, but with the right preparation and guidance, you can publish a children’s book and get it out into the world. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the process of taking your children’s book from a manuscript to publication.

In publishing a children’s book, here are the areas we’ll cover:

• Research your target market and age group
  • Analyze popular children’s books
  • Understanding the mechanics
  • Conduct market research
• Three ways to publish a children’s book
  • Self-publishing
  • Traditional publishing
  • Hybrid publishing
  • Vanity Publishing vs. self-publishing assist services
• Is self-publishing, traditional publishing or hybrid publishing right for you?
• How to publish a children’s book
  • Write your manuscript
  • Revise your manuscript
  • Get feedback
  • Traditional publishing steps
  • Self-publishing steps
  • Hybrid publishing steps

Research Your Target Market and Age Group

Know your audience, which age group you are writing for, and study similar books to the one want to publish. It’s crucial to research and get an understanding of your target market and to home in on the specifics of your chosen age group. Writing a children’s book for toddlers requires a vastly different approach to writing a book for middle-grade readers. Focus on age-appropriate language, themes, and illustrations that will resonate and engage.

Here are examples of how to tailor a children’s book to different age groups:

Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

• Use simple, repetitive language to help with building vocabulary. For instance, books with a focus on sounds, single words, and simple sentences are most effective for this age group.
• Incorporate bright, high-contrast illustrations that can help in holding a toddler’s attention and stimulating visual development.
• Themes should focus on basic concepts such as numbers, letters, shapes, or everyday routines that toddlers are starting to understand.

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

• Language can become a bit more complex, introducing full sentences and a broader vocabulary, since kids at this age are expanding their language skills.
• Themes typically involve basic storytelling with simple plots, such as friendship, play, or overcoming fears, which reflect their increasing understanding of the world around them.
• Interactive elements like lift-the-flap or touch-and-feel textures engage preschoolers and make reading a sensory experience.

Early Readers (Ages 6-7)

• Use age-appropriate language that is easy to understand but challenges them to learn new words. Think about including a glossary for harder terms to aid learning.
• The themes can include moral lessons, teamwork, and characters that face and solve problems, mirroring the experiences of kids starting school.
• Illustrations are still important, but can be less prominent. They now support the text and aid comprehension rather than dominate the page.

Middle-Grade Readers (Ages 8-12)

• Language can use a rich vocabulary and more complex sentences, fitting for this group’s advanced reading skills.
• Themes can tackle more complex issues, such as friendship dilemmas, family dynamics, or personal growth, often through more intricate plots and character development.
• Illustrations are less frequent, often reduced to chapter headings or occasional pictures, allowing the text to drive the story forward.

Young Teens (Ages 12-15)

• Use a diverse and complex vocabulary, including figurative language and nuanced dialogue.
• Themes often relate to self-discovery, complex relationships, and beginning to navigate the wider world with increasing independence.
• While illustrations are usually minimal or absent, cover art and graphic design are critical to attracting readers in this age group.

By targeting these age-specific elements, you can better write a book that provides enjoyment and supports developmental milestones in reading and comprehension for your age group.

Study popular children’s books that have captured the hearts of young readers and analyze what makes them successful. This isn’t about imitating others but finding what stimulates your intended readership. Consider word count, sentence structure, and the complexities of the storyline. Understanding your target market is crucial when writing a children’s book—as with any product. Knowing whom you’re creating your book for must guide your approach, which will increase the likelihood of success. Children’s literature is a unique field, and what captivates a young audience can differ significantly from what appeals to older readers.

Let’s look at how to research and learn from popular children’s books to resonate with your readers.

Analyze Popular Children’s Books

Start with a list of best-selling and timeless children’s books. Classics like “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, “Charlotte’s Web” by E. B. White, or the more recent “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney have achieved iconic status for reasons worth investigating. Read them critically to understand the essence of their appeal. I like to say, “Read like a writer”. In other words, instead of immersing yourself in the story, read with attention to page count, word count, vocabulary, writing craft, themes, dialogue, and so on.

What to Look For:

• Themes and Messages: For each book, the theme should be easily identifiable and resonate with a child’s experiences and emotions. Themes like friendship, bravery, and kindness are common in children’s books. While outright moralizing can be off-putting, subtly woven messages that teach life lessons are effective. If you read enough books, you’ll see recurring themes. Which themes recur in many successful stories, and how are they approached?
• Character Development: What kinds of protagonists seem to resonate with young audiences? Are they aspirational or simply entertaining? Also, note how the main characters are relatable to the target audience (which they must be!). Younger children often enjoy stories with characters around their own age or slightly older. Note the age of the main character in each book you read. Also pay attention to character growth: Even in simpler stories, characters should undergo growth or change, often providing a subtle lesson or moral.
• Visuals and Illustrations: In many children’s books, the illustrations are as important as the text and help convey the story. In any children’s book, the illustrations should complement the text. The style and quality of illustrations should be consistent throughout the book to maintain a cohesive feel. Notice the style of the art in each book and how it complements the story.
• Dialogue should mimic how children speak, using age-appropriate language and expressions. Simple dialogue tags like “said” are often more effective and less distracting than more complex tags. When you read, pay close attention to dialogue and how it’s presented.
• Emotions: Stories should evoke emotions that children can relate to and characters’ experiences can help children develop empathy and understanding for others. Which emotions are in the books you study? How are they portrayed?
• Educational Elements: Whether through vocabulary, concepts, or life or moral lessons, the story should offer opportunities for learning. For very young children, books that play with sounds, rhymes, and rhythms can aid in language development. Which educational elements are in the books you read?
• Repetition: For younger kids, repetitive words, phrases or patterns can help reinforce learning and make the story more memorable. If you’re studying books for younger kids, note any repetition you find.

Understanding the Mechanics

The structure of a children’s book is often deceptively simple. The choice of words, the length of the book, and the complexity of the story are all carefully regulated to match the developmental stage of the target audience.

What to Look For:

• Word Count: Younger children’s books have fewer words. There’s a big difference between a picture book for a 4-year-old and a middle-grade novel for an 11-year-old.
• Sentence Structure: Simple, rhythmic sentences are the trademark of many beloved younger children’s books, while older children are ready for complex sentences and vocabulary.
• Plot Complexity: Stories for younger readers have a straightforward plot, often with a single, central event. Older children can enjoy multifaceted storylines with subplots and nuanced characters.
• Pacing and Structure: Pay attention to how fast the story starts, how much text is on a page or in a chapter, page turns for picture books (what is on each spread and how is it laid out to make the reader want to turn the page), and how fast the story resolves.
• Page Turns: Especially in picture books, the text should be structured to encourage page turns, creating suspense and engagement.
• Chapters: For older children, chapters can help break the story into manageable segments, allowing for more complex plotting and character development.

Conduct Market Research

When studying books, you already did some market research by seeing which books sell well. Go to Amazon or other popular book stores and pay attention to the bestseller lists. You don’t have to write a book based on trends, but you should know what kids like for your book to perform well. Understanding what is currently popular in children’s literature can provide insights into what themes, styles, and formats are resonating with young readers. So, pay attention to popular themes and types of books.

Also, to understand what makes a children’s book successful with its intended readership, consider reaching out to the readers themselves.

• Field Research: Spend time where children are—libraries, bookstores, classrooms. Observe which books children are drawn to and how they interact with them.
• Surveys and Feedback: Talk with children, parents, teachers and librarians about what children (and the adults) look for in a book. Their insights can be invaluable in deciding how to position your book, for instance, how to write the book description.
• Reviews: Reading children’s book reviews from parents, teachers, and children can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in children’s books.

Three Ways to Publish a Children’s Book

Before you write your children’s book, research the publishing industry, and gain an understanding of the different types of publishing. Knowing the intricacies of the publishing world will help you navigate the process and successfully publish a children’s book. You can choose between self-publishing (aka indie or independent publishing), traditional publishing, and hybrid publishing. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to learn the details of all three before deciding.

Let’s look at each of the three options in brief.

1. Self-Publishing

Self-publishing continues to gain popularity. Since it’s independent publishing, it provides you with full creative control over your work, allowing you to make all decisions regarding illustrations, book design (formatting) and cover design. While it’s great to have this freedom, it also means you’re the one responsible for finding and commissioning an editor and illustrator (and paying for these services yourself). You could also illustrate your own book, but only do this if you are a professional. Self-publishing eliminates the need to find an agent or publisher, which shortens the time it will take to get your book published.

You get to determine the retail price for your book without sharing royalties with a publisher, giving you the potential to make more profit from sales. With more bookstores and distributors now catering to self-publishing authors, you can distribute your books to online stores and physical bookstores around the world, reaching a global audience. Popular self-publishing platforms are Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark. With user-friendly interfaces, these platforms allow you to publish your children’s book using print-on-demand. Your printing costs will be subtracted from your book’s retail price as each book is purchased, so you don’t have to pay any costs upfront.

Additionally, you can use KDP’s Kindle Kids’ Book Creator to create eBooks. KDP places your book on Amazon and provides a royalty rate of up to 70% on book sales, making it a good choice for children’s book authors.

Kindle Kids’ Book Creator

Other popular self-publishing platforms include Lulu, Draft2Digital and PublishDrive.

2. Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing is a popular route for authors who want help from professionals without having to carry the expenses. Publishers take care of all the creation and publication steps, such as editing, cover design, illustrations, printing, marketing, and distribution. So, you’ll get to work with established professionals without paying for the services. However, you will earn lower royalties and yield your creative freedom to these professionals. For instance, they’ll choose an illustrator and they will illustrate your book without input from you on the style or content of the illustrations. Though it can be hard to give up your creative control, good publishers know what will sell. They are very knowledgeable on industry standards like the acceptable word count range for each age group, so they will publish a children’s book that is professional and of high quality.

When you opt for traditional publishing for your children’s book, you benefit from professional editing, design, and marketing services that help to create a polished and appealing product for young readers. Publishers work with experienced editors who specialize in children’s literature and understand what captures a child’s imagination and attention. They also employ skilled illustrators and designers who can bring your book to life with engaging and age-appropriate illustrations. A reputable publishing house will also have a marketing plan, which is essential for reaching your target audience. Initiatives may include book tours, readings at schools and libraries, and presence at book fairs, all of which help to create buzz and get your book into the hands of readers. (Note that traditional publishers rarely do as much book marketing as most authors expect. How much they market will depend on the size, skills and relationships your particular publisher has. Regardless of what marketing they offer, you should still learn to market, since they often won’t market your book indefinitely.) Traditional publishers have established relationships with booksellers and distributors, which will increase the book’s visibility. Additionally, traditional publishing houses often, but not always, offer large advances to authors.

To increase the likelihood of securing a partnership with a publisher, ensure your manuscript is polished, your story is engaging, and your submission aligns with the publisher’s guidelines. Tailoring your pitch to show how your book fills a specific niche or addresses a need within the children’s market can also boost your chances of publication.

A downside to pursuing traditional publishing is that only a small percentage of manuscripts submitted get accepted. Because the publisher pays all the costs and bears the risk of the book being a success, they have very selective gatekeepers. They don’t accept all submissions and have strict requirements, which usually include the use of an agent. This adds an extra step and additional time, as you will need to be accepted by an agent first. An agent will negotiate better royalties, and sometimes other benefits, for you, though. Publishers need to go through many submissions in multiple categories. Ensure that you submit only to publishers who are looking for your kind of manuscript. Some will only accept fiction or nonfiction, and usually they are looking for specific genres, e.g. stories that encourage personal growth or humourous manuscripts. If you get accepted by a traditional publisher, it will take at least a year, often more, to get your book published. (By contrast, independent publishing can be done within a few months.)

3. Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing has become an increasingly popular choice for publishing a children’s book. Hybrid publishing bridges the traditional gap between self-publishing and the traditional publishing route, providing authors with a middle-ground solution. If you work with a hybrid publisher, you will carry some costs and they will carry some. You will then get higher royalties once the book is published.

Working with a hybrid publisher to publish a children’s book usually offers authors more creative control while still benefiting from the professional services offered by a publisher. Hybrid publishers provide the same services as traditional publishers, from editing, illustrations and formatting, to marketing and distribution. Using hybrid publishing services means you get professional input and, since they also have an interest in being profitable, a publisher who cares about your book’s success. This can increase visibility in a crowded marketplace. This type of publishing is similar to publishing traditionally in that it only accepts a limited amount of manuscripts.

Hybrid publishing is ideal for authors who want to work in close association with publishing professionals, but who want more input or higher royalties. Purple Butterfly Press is a great option for children’s book authors.

Vanity Publishing vs. Self-Publishing Assist Services

It can be hard to distinguish between vanity publishers and self-publishing assist services that offer full publishing packages, but it’s good to understand the differences so you can make an informed decision.

A vanity publisher, also called a subsidy publisher, is where any author can pay to have their book published with no approval or acceptance process. In other words, they don’t review submissions. The author pays for all the costs associated with the publishing process. Because of this, vanity publishers usually lack quality control or the incentive to make the book successful. Not all vanity publishers are bad, but sadly, many of them prey on the uncertainty and lack of knowledge of new authors. Be aware that certain vanity publishers take advantage of authors financially and then create a low-quality book and/or offer poor promotion and marketing support. If you’re looking for this kind of help to publish a children’s book, be very careful in choosing the company you’ll work with.

Self-publishing assist services, on the other hand, are companies that provide you with a range of services related to the publishing process, such as editorial support, design and layout, cover creation, and even distribution and marketing. They also accept all books and don’t reject any submissions. You can pay for a particular service they offer or you can choose one of their available packages, which can include expert assistance throughout the publishing process. Some self-publishing assist companies will only offer one or two services, for instance, only uploading your book to KDP and IngramSpark.

One major difference is vanity publishers will often approach you and use high-pressure sales techniques. Vanity publishers will also often make it sound like they are offering you a publishing deal. Vanity publishers also often use flattery and say they saw you are writing a book and they think it sounds amazing, so they would like to publish it. Thus, to inexperienced authors, it will sound like a publishing deal. If anyone is trying to pressure you into the deal, don’t hire them. Self-publishing assist services will simply advertise and be up front that they simply offer publishing services. Another indicator by which you can recognize vanity publishers is that they often make lofty claims, especially about how they’ll market your book. Look at online reviews (not on their own website), and books they’ve published for the quality of illustrations and how many reviews the books got on Amazon (if the company says they do marketing too).

You need to be aware of the differences between vanity publishing and self-publishing assist services before deciding. Self-publishing assist services are almost always the better option.

Is Self-Publishing, Traditional Publishing or Hybrid Publishing Right for You?

Choosing the right method of publishing involves evaluating your specific goals, resources, and skills.

If you enjoy complete control over your book, from writing to marketing, and you’re willing to invest your own time, self-publishing is a great route. Keep in mind that self-publishing requires you to have more knowledge of the publishing process and you will pay for it yourself.

If you prefer to write and leave editing, illustration, marketing, and distribution to professionals, and you’re not in a rush, then choosing to get traditionally published may be a better option.

Hybrid publishing, as the name suggests, offers something in between. You retain more control than in traditional publishing and invest your own money, but you gain access to more support than in self-publishing. It’s a flexible model that suits many children’s book authors if you can front the money.

Ultimately, the best route will depend on your budget, timeline, and goal.

How to Publish a Children’s Book

Whichever method of publication you choose, the first steps are the same. Write, revise, and get feedback.

Books by Children’s Book Mastery students. All illustrations by GetYourBookIllustrations.

Write Your Manuscript

Once you have your idea solidified, the next step is to get your first draft down on paper and create an engaging story that is age appropriate, relatable, and fun to read. You will need to understand the age groups for children’s books, the different genres, writing craft, plot, character development, and more. You can learn more about how to write a children’s book by going to this article.

Revise Your Manuscript

Read and re-read your manuscript, paying attention to the story arc and character development. This is the foundation of any good story and can be the difference between a successful book and one that falls flat. Make sure the dialogue is natural and believable, and that the storyline follows a logical order. If you’re new to writing children’s books, learn about writing craft. There are many books and courses available to help you become a better storyteller.

Get Feedback

Have a few trusted individuals read your manuscript and provide constructive criticism, suggestions, and overall feedback on your story. This could be anyone from professional editors and fellow authors to friends or family members who have a good grasp of language and storytelling. Ideally, they should be individuals who understand children’s literature. Also, get feedback from some children in your book’s age group. Joining a critique group is also a great way to get feedback from other writers who can offer advice on how to make your book more interesting. The primary purpose of acquiring feedback is to identify potential areas in your book that need revision. These can include plot holes and unclear character development.

Listen to their advice and use it as needed to revise any sections of your book. That does not necessarily mean implementing every suggestion. After all, it is your story. However, their feedback will provide you with an external vantage point on your work, enabling you to see it from an audience’s perspective. It helps to be open-minded and receptive and blend their input with your vision to refine your story.

Traditional Publishing Steps:

Consider a Professional Editor

Taking advantage of a professional editor can help your book meet industry standards and make it more marketable to potential publishers. Professional editors provide feedback on the structure and flow of your manuscript, the story and character arcs, as well as suggest ways to tighten the language and make it more engaging for its target audience. They can catch typos, grammar errors, and other issues that you may have missed.

With the help of a professional editor, you can refine and polish your manuscript before presenting it to potential publishers, which can increase your chances of being selected. However, traditional publishers will still assign an editor to your book.

Submit Directly to Publishers or Find an Agent

Before submitting your manuscript, ensure that all the publisher’s specifications are met. The submission specifications are usually easy to find on their website. The publishing process can take quite a while. You should be prepared to wait months for a response (and you may never get one). In addition, you should know any contractual obligations with the publisher, such as giving up the rights to your book or allowing the publisher to make changes to the manuscript.

Some publishers will accept un-agented submissions, and some will not. For those that require you to have an agent, you’ll need to find a literary agent who can represent you and negotiate a contract on your behalf. Agents usually receive a commission of 10 to 15 percent of your book sales, but they will also often negotiate better royalties for you with the publisher. By connecting with a literary agent and understanding the expectations of the publisher, your book is in the best position to be published.

How to find and query an agent

As mentioned, publishing houses often request that manuscripts be submitted via an agent. This is one specification that you will find on their website. You can use resources such as the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) or Publishers’ Marketplace to find agent listings. Once you have identified a few agents that you are interested in working with, research each one and be sure that you want to work with them to publish your book. Check their credentials and experience in the field. Contact each one with a query letter, a synopsis, and either the first three chapters of your book or your entire picture book manuscript.

If you get a rejection, it’s best to accept it and move on to the next one. Don’t try to convince them to accept your book. If you get any further requests from the agent, respond professionally. Once an agent agrees to represent the book, negotiate the terms of representation and be prepared to discuss the book’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as any potential changes that need to be made.

How to submit directly to publishers

The first step is to find a publisher that will accept authors without an agent and who will publish a children’s book. Read their submission guidelines thoroughly to ensure that you are submitting the right materials and following the correct format. Taking the time to research and prepare the right materials for submission is essential for success. Publishers will reject your submission if you do not follow their requirements.

Once you’ve identified suitable publishers and understood their submission guidelines, the next step is to write an effective query letter. The query letter should give an overview of your book and highlight its unique attributes. Remember that publishers receive hundreds of manuscripts, so your query letter should be compelling and make your book stand out. The aim is to pique the publisher’s interest and prompt them to look further into your manuscript. Include your manuscript’s full title, genre, and word count, and state why your book would be a good fit for the publisher. Showcase the marketability of your children’s book. Once you have submitted your manuscript to the publisher, be prepared to wait several months for a response. If the publisher is interested in your manuscript, they will contact you with an offer.

Self-Publishing Steps:

Professional Editing

When self-publishing, it’s important to use a professional editor. Even the most seasoned authors can miss errors or inconsistencies in their work, which is why enlisting the help of a professional editor is crucial. An experienced editor can ensure that your story flows seamlessly and makes sense to your young audience. A professional editor can also help your book meet industry standards and provide feedback on ways to make it more engaging. A well-edited book not only improves readability but also boosts the potential for positive reviews, increasing your book’s visibility in a crowded market.

With the help of a professional editor, your book can become the best it can be.

Find an Illustrator

A crucial step in self-publishing is finding a skilled illustrator. When you publish a children’s book, the power of imagery cannot be overstated. Captivating, vibrant illustrations have the capability of bringing your story to life and drawing in young readers. Choosing an illustrator whose art style complements your story will help you create a cohesive book that will captivate children and adults alike.

To find the perfect illustrator, start by looking at portfolios online to find ones that match your vision. GetYourBookIllustrations is an excellent option, offering many styles. You can also look at social media platforms like Instagram and professional networks such as Behance and LinkedIn to discover talented illustrators. Pay special attention to those with experience in children’s book illustration, as they’ll be adept at drawing illustrations that meet the needed requirements for print, leaving space for text, etc. Once you have a shortlist of potential illustrators, reach out and discuss your project’s needs, timeline, and budget. Consider requesting a small (paid) trial illustration to ensure they can capture your vision. Your diligence here is crucial—it will set the foundation for an enchanting children’s book.

Cover of The Tree Top Tooth Shop by Alison Logee, illustrations from A Song in Her Heart by Kathy Dye and Little Dude and his Shagalabagala Day by Coni Knepper. All illustrations (and cover designed) by GetYourBookIllustrations.

Book and Cover Design

Book design, or layout, is a pivotal stage in the publishing process that enhances the readability of your book. It involves selecting the correct typography, color schemes, margin setup and placement of illustrations that will complement your story. Improper design might discourage the reader’s interest or make it hard to follow the story.

Cover design is also crucial and will greatly affect your book sales. Using a professional cover and book design service can ensure a high-quality children’s book.

Choose a Self-Publishing Platform

Print-on-demand

Print-on-demand platforms are popular for self-publishing authors, especially new authors. Print-on-demand is a practice where the company prints books only when they are purchased. Traditionally, books were printed in batches of hundreds or thousands to lower production costs. This requires a significant upfront investment and then paying for storage space. Despite it being much cheaper per book when you print in bulk, purchasing a thousand books at once remains expensive and can be risky for new authors who don’t have a solid marketing plan and experience. Thus, self-publishing platforms started offering print-on-demand, where they only print books once someone has bought the book. They also offer shipping. For example, when you buy a book on Amazon, if they author published through KDP, KDP will then print and ship your book.

While the profits are lower with print-on-demand (because print cost per book is a lot higher than with bulk printing), it is a simple and safe way for self-publishing authors to get started.

There are a few popular platforms that you can use to self-publish your book. The most well-known platforms such as Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark and Lulu, make it easy for authors to publish a children’s book and distribute it worldwide. All three offer print-on-demand and shipping, and accounts are free to set up. These platforms simplify the publishing process by allowing you to upload your manuscript, choose the format (e.g., ebook, paperback, hardcover), set your price, and launch your children’s book to a global audience.

Bulk printing

If your aim is to generate income from publishing, consider bulk printing. Bulk printing, or offset printing, involves producing large quantities of books in a single run. This method significantly reduces the cost per unit ($5+ less per book) compared to print-on-demand, making it the most cost-effective way to achieve a healthy profit margin and build a career as an author. If you want to bulk print, check out IAPC books. They offer printing, shipping and warehousing at affordable rates. Before bulk printing, ensure you have a marketing plan in place, since you’ll need to sell all those books!

Set up Your Book with Retailers

Once you have your children’s book ready, setting up your book with retailers is an essential step towards getting your book into young readers’ hands. If you publish with KDP, IngramSpark or Lulu, they’ll put your book on retailers, but you can also look for more retailers to sell your book.

Then, it’s time to focus on the crucial task of optimizing your retail listings to attract and convert your potential book buyers. Begin by ensuring your book’s title, cover, and description will capture your potential buyers’ attention. Write an interesting description that highlights the themes and excitement within your story, weaving in keywords naturally. These keywords should be words or phrases that parents and educators might use when searching for new books. Choose the right age group for your book. Also, choose the right age group for your book. On KDP, set you Amazon A+ Content to make your book stand out. This enables you to show of illustrations, benefits and highlights from your book, and more.

Having the right keywords and putting your book in the right categories is crucial for buyers to find your book. Publisher Rocket is an excellent tool to help you with this. (This is an affiliate link, but we use Publisher Rocket ourselves. It’s excellent!)

Hybrid Publishing Steps:

Consider Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding can solve paying for hybrid publishing. (This is also true for self-publishing!) However, it is important to remember that successful crowdfunding requires a well-planned and executed strategy. With platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, you can reach many people and persuade them to contribute towards your hybrid publishing costs.

Tell an appealing story about your children’s book, its potential impact and why you need their support. Offering incentives like signed copies, stickers, goodies or exclusive illustrations can bring in more contributions. Crowdfunding not only helps in funding your project but also builds an initial reader base and buzz around your book before it’s even published.

Choose a Reputable Hybrid Publisher

If you choose hybrid publication, you should meticulously research and select a reputable company that specializes in children’s books, and look if they accept fiction and/or nonfiction, and which types of stories they want. Look for companies with a proven track record, positive client reviews, and transparency in terms of costs and royalties. An extensive portfolio and a wide distribution network are also key points to look for.

Negotiate a Contract

With hybrid publishers, the bigger your contribution is towards the book creation, the higher royalties you’ll get. This is because the more costs you carry, the smaller the publisher’s risk (and, of course, investment) becomes. While it can be a good idea to ensure you maintain creative control over your work, keep in mind that the publisher has more experience than you and knows what sells, so letting them take the creative reins may be best. Understanding that you’ll share both the costs and profits, the contract should align with your goals and budget.

Upon successfully negotiating a contract, it’s time to get going with the creative phase. This includes refining the story, editing, illustrations, and layout; areas where professional services that your hybrid publisher may provide can prove beneficial. If you are collaborating, ensure that your vision aligns with these professionals by maintaining open and consistent communication. Fully use their skills to get the most from your investment and optimize your shares from the profits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving your vision of publishing a children’s book is entirely possible. Whatever your publishing requirements may be, there is a publishing solution built to meet them. Among the many options available for aspiring authors, each brings its unique set of advantages and costs catering to different budget constraints and goals. When making your publishing decision, it’s vital to research thoroughly and compare possibilities. Evaluate not just cost, but also consider what value each option adds to help you meet your end goal—creating a successful children’s book.

Whichever route you choose, it’s good to get educated about writing craft and book marketing. To do that, read more articles on our website and check out our courses here. If you want to self-publish, the Self-Publish Like a Pro course will teach you everything you need to know!

We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

1. Which publishing route do you think is best for you?

2. What else would you like to learn about how to publish a children’s book?