There is nothing quite like a book that inspires children, and reading it becomes their core memory. Bedtime is usually synonymous with reading books, and if you want your written book to be loved by children, you not only need to write a compelling story, but you also need to publish it. 

If you find yourself asking, “Where do I even start?” this is one of the most common questions that arise when transitioning from a book idea to the reality of publishing. Well, one thing’s for sure: the process isn’t easy and may be quite challenging, particularly for first-time writers, but you will eventually get a hold of it.

Questions: “How do I publish children’s books?” “Should I self-publish or find a traditional publisher?” might confuse you. But relax; you are not alone. We are here to guide you through the entire process, from creating your narrative to distributing it to young readers. Additionally, we will provide you with advice, pointers, and even a submission kit to help you avoid any typical errors. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

1. Target Market: Explore the different age categories in which children’s literature is divided to understand your audience.
2. Genres: Learn about the five categories of children’s books, each with specific characteristics and requirements.
3. Editing: Edit and proofread your work so that your final manuscript looks perfect.
4. Power of Illustrations: Never underestimate the power of visuals in children’s books. Find a suitable illustrator, or allow your publishing agent to pair you with one.
5. Publishing Path: Choose between traditional publishing, which involves finding a literary agent and submitting to publishers, or self-publishing, which gives you complete creative control but requires you to handle all aspects of production and marketing.
6. Learn the Difference to Make the Right Choice: Understand the differences between both types of publishing to make the right choice.

A Comprehensive Guide to How to Publish a Children’s Book

1. Research Your Target Market

One important question to ask before beginning to write a children’s book is, “Who am I writing it for? It may seem apparent, but one of the most important yet overlooked steps in the publishing process is identifying your target audience. 

Remember that the children’s book industry is large and diversified, catering to a range of age groups that demand different subjects, artwork, and storytelling styles. How do you publish a kid’s book that has an impact on your younger audience if you don’t know who they are?

The Five Key Categories of Children’s Books

Children’s books are often divided into five categories, each having specific requirements regarding the length, tone, and artwork of the story. Here’s what you should know about.

1. Picture books (ages 0–5)

These are little books with lots of illustrations and straightforward writing. Picture books have a subset called board books, which are aimed at babies and toddlers.

For instance, Margaret Wise Brown’s book “Goodbye Moon” teaches infants and toddlers the reassuring custom of saying goodbye. This particular age group will find it perfect as it is brief, straightforward, and full of comforting and repeated phrases.

2. Young readers (ages 5-7)

These books are meant for kids who are just beginning to read on their own. Though they have more text than picture books, they nonetheless have a lot of images.

3. Chapter books (ages 7-9)

These are meant for readers who are at a more advanced level and are comfortable with longer stories but still want some visuals. The narratives are complicated and often feature adventures or character growth.

One book that falls under this category is “Junie B. Jones” by Barbara Park. For early primary school pupils, it combines relevant topics with a straightforward yet captivating style.

4. Middle Grade (MG)

Books for children aged 9 to 12 are lengthier and have fewer illustrations. Usually, they address more complex subjects like growing up, family, and friendship.

5. Young Adult (YA)

Books in this genre target an older audience and often explore issues of maturity, such as relationships, identity, and the difficulties of puberty. They are usually of novel length and are not often illustrated.

2. Get to Know Your Audience

Have you analyzed your target audience? Great! After deciding on an age range, it’s time to get to know your target audience. Now is the time for a detailed analysis.

1. Go To Libraries and Bookstores

Observing what is available on the shelf is the best approach to learning about the literature that children are reading. Visit the children’s department of your local library or bookshop and spend some time there. Be aware of:

• Which books are being displayed prominently?
• Which kinds of illustrations are popular at the moment?
• Are there any recurrent subjects or themes, such as space exploration, animals, or tales from school?
• What is the most-published children’s book on Amazon?

Here’s a tip: You can talk to the staff as well. The staff at bookstores and librarians can provide you with authentic insights. They can inform you which books are best-selling and which ones children are requesting the most.

2. Spend Quality Time with Children

Spending time with children in your target age group is one of the finest methods to discover their preferences. Watch how your friends’ kids, your kids, or your nieces and nephews interact with books. You can even ask them questions like:

• Which book is your favorite?
• Why does it appeal to you?
• “What genre of fiction are you interested in reading?”

Such real-world insights are far better than the information you get on the internet. For example, you may find that a six-year-old enjoys reading aloud rhyming poems, whereas an eight-year-old is more interested in stories that allow them to go on adventures with the characters.

3. Pay Attention to Market Trends

Like any other genre, children’s books go through trends. Unicorns may be popular one year, followed by pirates or superheroes the next. Writing a book that appeals to children and publishers alike can be achieved by keeping up with current trends.

Here’s a Tip: To stay up to date on bestsellers and industry news, sign up for newsletters such as Publisher’s Weekly Children’s Bookshelf. Even if you don’t have time to visit bookstores, it’s a simple method to remain up to date on the newest trends.

4. Recognize the Gatekeepers

Writing a children’s book means writing for more than just the little reader; it also means writing for the adults who purchase the books. You also need to consider the people who are making the purchasing decisions. They can be parents, teachers, and librarians. While children may enjoy a crazy story, parents typically favor books that showcase wisdom or are instructive.

Think of creating a balance between the two! For instance, “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson is a humorous and entertaining story with a deeper meaning about applying intelligence to solve challenges, which appeals to both parents and kids.

5. Avoid Common Mistakes

Avoid targeting too much “all children.” You need to be specific. It is more difficult for publishers, booksellers, or even parents to determine whether a book is appropriate for their child if you label it as being for “all ages.”

In addition, you should not be writing a book that is too long for its genre. For every category, publishers adhere to strict word counts. Your picture book will probably be turned aside in favor of something that more closely complies with the traditional 32-page structure if it is excessively wordy.

3. It’s Time to Write Your Story

Children’s novels can draw inspiration from any source, including your childhood recollections, modern social movements, or even your very own creativity. What type of message do I want to give to children? It might be an enjoyable journey, or it might be a story that showcases values like tolerance, diversity, or facing one’s anxieties.

Let’s move on to the writing itself. Here are some pointers to help in directing the procedure:

1. Structure: Make things straightforward. Children’s novels typically have a simple beginning, middle, and end to their story. In picture books, the issue is often presented briefly, handled well, and concluded with a happy note.
2. Length: Depending on your age group, the word count changes. While middle-grade novels might have anything from 20,000 to 50,000 words, picture books often have less than 1000 words.
3. Language: Avoid making your words too complicated. Shorter sentences and easier words are essential for younger readers. More conversation and descriptive language can help older readers develop vivid imagery.
4. Avoid this trap: Avoid becoming stuck in complicated plots. Simple, uncomplicated stories with a strong emotional core are the most engaging to younger readers.
5. Test: To test the flow of your manuscript, read it out loud. When you hear your tale aloud, you will be shocked at how much smoother it sounds or how much editing it may need!

4. Adapt the Number of Words to Your Readership

Some may ask, “How old do you have to be to publish a book?” Fortunately, there are no age restrictions, and anyone can write for readers of any age. However, the age range is important as it determines how long the book should be. Here is what you should bear in mind.

1. Early Readers (grades 6–8)

They can read stories that are a little bit longer, typically 2,000–5,000 words. Though the sentences can get a little longer, and you can include more narrative points, the language should still be straightforward. Simple yet attractive stories in early reader books like Frog and Toad Are Friends are excellent examples of how to attract beginning readers.

2. Chapter books (ages 7-9) 

They can have 5,000–10,000 words. The plots and characters in these books are more developed. Children can easily take breaks because the chapters are brief, but the story might use a bit more detail.

3. Books for readers (ages 9 to 12) 

They are middle-grade (MG) and can have 20,000–50,000 words. Readers can now follow stories with several more complex characters and subplots. Consider children’s works like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which are written with rich world-building and elaborative details but remain approachable for young readers.

For younger readers, keep in mind that less is more when it comes to word count. Their attention span and reading ability are still growing. Particularly in picture books, keep your sentences concise and your story cohesive. You can elaborate a little bit for older children, but try not to give them too much information.

5. Edit and Refine Your Story to Perfection

It’s time to go back and revise your book once you have written it. This is an important stage in making sure your story makes sense and is suitable for the audience you are trying to reach. Consider this:

• Is the structure simple to understand and follow?
• Are the words brief and the vocabulary appropriate for the target age group?
• Does the narrative flow well, not dragging or hurrying over significant points?

Read aloud your story if at all possible. Children in the age range you are aiming for can also provide input. Observe their reaction to your story. Do they understand it? Do the personalities and events excite them? Their feedback can be quite helpful in forming your finished manuscript.

6. Illustrations and Visuals for Your Story

The pictures in children’s books are often the main attraction for young readers and play an equally important role as the text. In picture books, the pictures and the words explain the story equally. Even for more mature children’s books, such as chapter books or early readers, images serve to visually excite and break up the text to keep young readers interested.

Choosing an Illustrator

You shouldn’t stress too much about finding an illustrator if you plan to publish through established channels. Publishers often pair authors with their illustrators. Sending a book with all the illustrations within is not required; they want to be in charge of the finished work.

But if you are going to self-publish, you will have to pay an illustrator yourself. You may locate freelance illustrators on various websites like Upwork. If you are looking for experts with a focus on children’s literature, you can also check out the SCBWI Illustrator Gallery.

7. Choosing the Publication Path

Traditional Publishing

When you submit your manuscript to a publisher for traditional publishing, they handle all creative and financial aspects of producing and distributing your book. Here’s what to anticipate:

1. Locating a Literary Agent: An agent is usually required for traditional publishers. Agents assist you in sending your manuscript to the appropriate publications by serving as gatekeepers. Craft a compelling query letter, attach a succinct summary, and customize your submission for every agent.
2. Submission Procedure: Carefully read the submission instructions provided by the publication or agent. Research is essential since some publications only accept unsolicited manuscripts during specific seasons of the year.

Look up publishers who focus on children’s literature. Take a close look at their submission rules to prevent being rejected right away.

For instance, J.K. Rowling had to struggle for years and witnessed a great deal of rejection before “Harry Potter” was published, but her patience paid off.

Self-Publishing

You have complete control over your book, from writing to marketing when you are self-publishing children’s books. What you will need if you choose this method:

1. Selecting a Platform: Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most widely used platform for children’s book self-publishing. Additional choices consist of Lulu and IngramSpark.
2. Expenses to Think About: As opposed to traditional publishing, where the publisher bears all expenses, self-publishing requires you to budget for cover art, illustrations, editing, and printing.
3. Avoid this trap: Believing that self-publishing is a more straightforward path. You might have greater creative freedom, but there will be a larger initial commitment to work and money.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: What to Choose?

Think about how much creative control you want over your book and how much time and effort you are willing to put into the process when choosing between self-publishing and working with a formal publisher.

Working with seasoned experts who will take care of the artistic aspect for you is one advantage of traditional publishing, but you might not have as much control over the finished product’s appearance. Whereas self-publishing gives you complete control over the process, it will be up to you to find and work with an illustrator.

Regardless of the route you use, keep in mind that pictures are an effective storytelling tool that can really make your book come to life. If you are hiring an artist on your own or collaborating with one employed by a publication, remember to have an open mind and build a solid working relationship.

8. Designing the Book Cover and Layout

“A book is not judged by its cover.” Although this is good advice for life, the publishing industry does not follow it. A well-designed and visually appealing book cover is essential to drawing in readers who are adults as well as children.

Why the Cover Matters?

Your book’s cover should appropriately convey the book’s theme and appeal to the age range of your intended readership. Younger readers typically respond well to designs with vibrant colors, playful typefaces, and captivating imagery, while older readers may choose more sophisticated or daring styles.

Examine the book covers of best-selling titles in your genre. Picture books, for instance, often have huge, amiable drawings, whereas middle-grade novels, such as “Percy Jackson,” may have a more dynamic and action-packed appearance.

Interior Design of Books

In picture books, the text should be positioned so that it complements the visuals. Well-spaced text and a readable typeface are important for chapter books.

Refrain from attempting to handle everything by yourself. If you are not an expert designer, it’s worth investing in proper book formatting.

9. Submission Kit for Traditional Publishing

If you are aiming for traditional publishing, here’s what your submission kit should include:

• Query Letter: In this brief letter, you introduce yourself, your work, and the reasons you think the publisher or agency would be a good fit. Keep it between 300 and 500 words, and keep it professional.

Here’s a tip: Modify your letter to each submission. A generic letter is likely to be ignored.

• Synopsis: Your story is outlined in the synopsis. Keep it to one or two pages for children’s books, clearly stating the key ideas, themes, and resolution.
• Manuscript: The submission guidelines may require you to submit the entire book or only a few sample chapters. Pay close attention to the instructions.

10. Submission Kit for Self-Publishing

When you opt for self-publishing children’s books, here is what your submission kit should include:

• Book Proposal: Specify your book’s overview, target audience, and market analysis.
• Formatted Manuscript: Make sure your final manuscript is refined, revised, and ready for publication.
• Cover Design Mockup: Create a visual representation of your cover design.
• Illustration Samples: If applicable, include samples of your illustrations.

11. Proceeding With Your Book Publication

Once you have decided on your publishing route, the next step is to get your book published. Here’s what you need to keep in mind for both traditional and self-publishing.

Traditional Publishing Steps

1. Research Publishers: Find children’s book publishers and carefully go over their submission policies.
2. Submit Your Writing: Pay close attention to the submitting instructions. Unless otherwise noted, do not send a book with full illustrations.
3. Negotiate Your Contract: Your agent will work to get you the greatest offer if you are accepted. Make sure you understand all of the agreements, including rights and royalties.
4. Production Process: Complete the layout, illustrations, and design of your book in collaboration with the publisher.

Self-Publishing Steps

1. Complete Your Manuscript: Make sure it has been carefully edited and is formatted appropriately for the platform of your choice.
2. Create Your Cover: You can use templates provided by self-publishing services or hire a professional designer.
3. Upload Your Book: To upload your manuscript and cover design, comply with the platform’s instructions.
4. Establish Pricing and Distribution Options: Choose the price you wish to charge for your book as well as the distribution channel (e.g., local bookstores, Amazon).

12. Setting Up Retailers for Your Book

Congratulations! Your book has been published! However, the effort is not over yet. Here comes an important part, which is getting your book into bookstores and other outlets. This is how you go about it:

Traditional Publishers

• Distribution Channels: Distribution to large stores is usually managed by publishers. However, it is best if you establish personal relationships with local bookshops.

Self-Publishing

• Direct Sales: Your book may be sold directly at local events or on your website.
• Consignment: Offer your book to nearby bookshops on a consignment basis, with the understanding that they will pay you after the book is sold.
• Online retailers: To reach a wider audience, make use of sites like Amazon.

Final Thoughts

A children’s book’s publication is a creative and thrilling journey. The secret to success, whether you go with traditional publishing or self-publishing children’s books, is to know your audience, tell a gripping story, and accurately edit every part of your book, from the cover to the drawings. You are also well on your way to getting your novel in front of the appropriate eyes with the submission kit that has been provided.

Remember that every successful children’s book writer started where you are now. Write now and enjoy the process of bringing your vision to life; your story is waiting to be told.

FAQs

How to Publish Children’s Books?

• There are many methods of publishing a children’s book, such as traditional publishing by seeking out a publisher or self-publishing, where you need to manage everything on your own.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Publish a Book?

• Fortunately, there is no age limit to publish a book. If you are under 18, you can seek professional guidance from a publisher or a parent to sell your book in the market.

What Is Self-Publishing Children’s Books?

• Self-publishing involves the author handling all aspects of publishing, including writing, editing, and distribution, often through platforms like Amazon.

How Do You Publish a Children’s Book on Amazon?

• Create an account on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), format your manuscript, design your cover, and upload your files to publish.