Insights and Lessons in Children’s Book Publishing: What We Know

Writing children’s books is similar to writing a magical story that is all about an imaginary world. Every page holds something that inspires the minds of kids and sparks their creativity. As a kids’ author, you may feel excited to pen down about this magical and imaginary world. At the same time, this writing journey may feel overwhelming.

If you are writing for the first time, you might be confused about where to start, how to start, and when to publish. Relax, every new writer faces this situation. In this blog, we have mentioned everything you need to know about publishing your children’s books, from choosing the right path to marketing your end product. Let’s discover how you can transform your ideas into a beautifully crafted book that makes children and parents delightful.

 Steps to Publish Your Children’s Book

Below, you will read about simple and easy steps for the childrens book publishing services.

Step1: Decide Your Publishing Method

The initial step is to decide how you desire to publish your book. Here are two important options:

• Traditional Publishing

This method includes working with a literary agency that will submit your book to publishers. If the publisher accepts your work, they will handle the rest. They do all the editing, printing, distribution, and illustration. The drawback of traditional publishing is that you will get a smaller share of profits.

• Self-Publishing

In this method, you will have full control over your publishing procedure. You can utilize platforms like Amazon KDP, and InstagramSpark, or directly collaborate with any printing company.

The best thing about this option is that you will have more creative freedom and higher royalties. However, you will be responsible for all the costs of editing, designing, and marketing.

Step 2: Know Your Audience

After you have decided on the publishing route, it is time to get to know your target audience. Understanding who you are writing for is essential in children’s literature. Visit libraries and bookstores to explore books in your target age group. Pay attention to covers, illustrations, and writing styles that resonate with readers. Here are some important elements you need to consider:

• The length and format of popular books
• Online bestseller lists and parent groups on social media

Step 3: Write and Edit Your Story

So, this is an ideal time to begin writing your story. Remember that your writing style will depend on the age group you are writing for. Focus on writing an engaging story. Use active verbs, try to keep your sentences short, and use lively descriptions. Reading your script loudly will help you know it flows well.

 Step 4: Look For an Illustrator

If you are writing for a very young age group, then you need more pictures than words. Here, we have mentioned some tips for hiring an illustrator:

Decide your preferred style by looking at similar books.

Look for an online portfolio to look for illustrators whose work matches your vision.

Contact some illustrators for samples and check if they can picture your ideas.

Share your thoughts and requirements, but allow the illustrator to show his creativity as well.

Step 5: Format Your Book

The next step is to format your manuscript according to your publishing choice:

 For Self-Publishing:

• Use templates from Amazon KDP for proper formatting.
• Submit your manuscript as a Word .docx file without any embedded images.
• Consider hiring a professional book designer for print layouts and covers.

 For Traditional Publishing:

• Submit your manuscript as a Word document, it should be double-spaced.
• Follow submission guidelines closely regarding font, margins, and chapter headings.
• Rely on the publisher’s design team for layout and cover design.

Proper formatting is important for a professional appearance, especially in self-publishing.

 Step 6: Publishing on Amazon

For self-publishing, consider using Amazon KDP for your eBooks:

• Set up your KDP author account and complete your tax information.
• Format your manuscript using KDP templates.
• Create your book’s title, description, and keywords.
• Upload your manuscript and cover files.
• Select appropriate categories for your book.
• For the best royalty rate you need to price your book between $2.99 and $9.99.
• Finally, your book is ready to be published on KDP and in paperback format.

 Step 7: Marketing Your Book

Once your book is published, marketing becomes very important. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Choose Keywords Wisely

Think of keywords that parents might use to find books similar to yours, especially if you’re exploring avenues through comic book publishing companies. These will help improve your visibility on platforms like Amazon and social media.

1. Gather Reviews

Send advance copies of your book to reviewers, book bloggers, and parenting websites. Target reviewers who resonate with your audience.

1. Visit Schools

Reach out to schools and libraries for author visits, readings, and selling signed copies. This is a great way to build excitement and local interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What can we learn from kids’ books?

There is a lot to learn from kids’ books. Below, we have mentioned a few of the elements that we can learn:

First laugh at your mistakes and then learn from them.

Friends are blessings.

Hear yourself.

There is n peaceful place like home.

You can’t always have what you want.

• What do publishers look for in children’s books?

A strong story with a solid ending will capture the attention of the editor. Usually, plots in children’s book submissions deviate in the middle of the story. The ending falls flat. Try to keep things simple or else it will weaken your plot.

• How to publish a successful kids’ book?

Here is a step-by-step guide for publishing kids’ books:

• Understand your target audience.
• Edit and refine your manuscript.
• Make a list of children’s book publishers.
• Submit your script to publishers.
• Buy barcodes and ISBNs.
• Scan illustration at a high illustration.
• Don’t forget to copyright your book.

It’s A Wrap

Publishing a children’s book is not like a small fear effort. It breaks down the process into clear steps, which makes it super manageable. No matter what you choose, whether self-publishing or traditional publishing, the important ingredient is your passion. The passion to write your story, commitment to your writing, and patience in this long journey.

Consider this blog as your roadmap, but don’t be afraid to show your creativity during the journey. Building relationships with other authors, participating in communities, and learning about the industry will help you succeed. Trust your creativity and skills, and ask for help when you need it. Enjoy bringing unique stories to kids.