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

Publishing a children’s book is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially if you’re new to the world of publishing. Whether you’re a first-time author or an experienced writer venturing into the children’s genre, understanding the key steps will help you navigate the process with confidence. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to publish a children’s book from start to finish.

1. Write Your Story with Your Audience in Mind

Children's books are a unique genre, and the tone, themes, and language need to be age-appropriate. Before you dive into publishing, take the time to carefully craft your story for your target age group. Target audience is essential to knowing how to publish a children's book.

• Picture Books (Ages 0-5): Focus on simple, engaging narratives with colorful illustrations. Your language should be accessible, and the story should convey universal themes like friendship, discovery, or overcoming fears.
• Early Readers (Ages 5-7): These books typically have simple sentence structures, easy vocabulary, and illustrations on every page.
• Middle-Grade Books (Ages 7-12): These can have more complex plots, subplots, and deeper character development, but they should still be written with younger readers in mind.
• Young Adult (Ages 12+): YA books delve into deeper, more mature themes but still need to be written with a voice that resonates with teens.

Once you’ve written your book, make sure to get feedback from both children and adults in your target age group. This will help ensure your story is engaging, age-appropriate, and ready for the next steps.

2. Edit and Polish Your Manuscript

To know how to publish a children's book means knowing how to craft the language of your story to fit your audience. Children's books often rely heavily on language that resonates with young readers. So, it’s crucial to refine your manuscript through a thorough editing process.

• Self-Editing: Go through your manuscript multiple times, paying close attention to pacing, character development, and language simplicity. Keep an eye out for any awkward phrasing or repetitive words.
• Beta Readers: After self-editing, get feedback from beta readers—ideally parents, teachers, or child development experts—who can help ensure your story connects with your intended audience.
• Professional Editing: Consider hiring a professional editor who specializes in children’s books. A fresh set of eyes can help improve the flow, grammar, and overall readability of your work.

3. Illustrations: Finding the Right Fit

In children’s books, illustrations are not just decorations; they’re an essential part of the storytelling process. If your book requires illustrations, finding the right illustrator is key.

• Traditional Illustrators: You can hire an illustrator through online platforms, such as Fiverr, Upwork, or personal networks. If you are working with a publishing company like Penguin-Random House or Sawtelle Publishing, they may have pre-approved illustrators that they will direct you to. If you are finding a illustrator yourself, make sure to look for someone with experience in children’s book art and who understands the age group you’re targeting.
• Work for Hire vs. Royalties: If you're hiring an illustrator, decide whether you want to pay them a flat fee (work for hire) or offer them a royalty share from book sales. Both options have their pros and cons, so make sure to set clear expectations upfront.
• Illustration Style: Your illustrator’s style should complement your story. Whether you want whimsical, detailed, or simple images, be sure the artist’s portfolio matches the tone and feel of your manuscript.

4. Design Your Book: Formatting and Layout

Once you have your text and illustrations, the next step is book design. Knowing how to publish a children's book is half the battle, formatting is one of the hardest steps for some because it requires technical skills. For children’s books, the layout is incredibly important. A good design ensures the text and images complement each other and that the book is visually appealing.

• Page Layout: Children’s books often feature large, full-page illustrations with text on the side or below. This needs to be done in a way that flows well, drawing attention to key story moments.
• Typography: Choose fonts that are easy to read, especially for early readers. The font should be large enough for children to follow easily, and spacing should be considered carefully.
• eBook vs. Print: If you’re publishing in both print and digital formats, ensure the layout adapts well for both. Children’s books often work best in print, but digital formats with interactive elements (like audio or animation) can make them more engaging.
• Traditional Publishing: Often when working with a traditional publisher they will handle the process of formatting a book to specifications they have in mind.
  

5. Decide How to Publish Your Children’s Book

There are two main routes to publish your children’s book: traditional publishing and self-publishing. As an indie author, self-publishing is likely the most viable option.

• Self-Publishing: Self-publishing gives you full control over the process. With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Blurb, you can publish both digital and print versions of your book and sell it directly to readers. You’ll retain all rights, and you have the flexibility to manage pricing and distribution.
• Traditional Publishing: If you’d rather work with a publishing house, like Sawtelle Publishing or Simon and Schuster, you’ll need to submit your manuscript to agents or publishers who specialize in children’s books. Keep in mind, this path can take a lot of time and effort, with no guarantee of success. You’ll need to submit query letters, proposals, and maybe even go through rounds of revisions.

6. Market and Promote Your Children’s Book

Once your book is published, marketing is crucial for getting it into the hands of young readers (and their parents).

• Build an Author Website: An author website is a great way to connect with readers, showcase your work, and offer additional resources like downloadable activities or sneak peeks of upcoming books.
• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great for children’s authors, especially because they’re visually oriented. Share illustrations, behind-the-scenes looks, or even short reading videos.
• Reach Out to Schools and Libraries: Schools and libraries are always looking for new books to add to their collections. You can offer your book for review or even schedule author visits.
• Book Reviews: Reach out to children’s book bloggers, review sites, and Amazon reviewers to gain social proof and increase visibility for your book.
• Book Launch: Host a virtual or in-person book launch to engage your audience and build excitement around your new release.

7. Distribute Your Book

Once your book is ready to go, you’ll want to make it available in various formats (eBook, hardcover, paperback) and through a variety of platforms:

• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): KDP offers both eBook and print options and is one of the easiest ways to self-publish.
• IngramSpark: This is an excellent platform for distributing your book in bookstores and libraries.
• Barnes & Noble Press: You can publish your book through Barnes & Noble Press for distribution through their site, physical stores, and Nook devices.

8. Stay Engaged with Your Audience

As an indie author, it’s important to maintain a relationship with your readers. Encourage reviews, run giveaways, and keep them engaged through email newsletters and social media updates. When your first book is successful, you’ll want to keep writing, creating more content that speaks to your audience and helps grow your author brand.

Conclusion

Knowing and taking the steps of how to publish a children's book may seem like a daunting task, but by breaking it down into manageable steps, you can transform your dream of becoming a children’s author into a reality. Focus on creating a story that resonates with young readers, polish your manuscript, find the right illustrator, and embrace the self-publishing process. With dedication, creativity, and a little patience, you can share your stories with the world and inspire children for years to come!

Happy publishing!