Last Updated on July 20, 2022 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
A publisher approached Julia Donaldson in the early 1990s, asking her if she would like to write a song for the BBC. Donaldson’s debut children’s book, A Squash and a Squeeze was released when she was 45 years old, launching a career that included the classics The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and Stick Man.
Self-publishing your children’s book may be a good option if you write for children. Self-publishing is becoming increasingly popular as it gets more accessible and takes less time than traditional publishing.
So let’s get started. Here’s how to self-publish a children’s book in the following steps:
Steps/Tips To Self-Publish Own Children’s Books
1 – Understand & Research The Market
Knowing who you’re writing for is critical when you write your book. And when you’re selling it, knowing your audience is vital. Whether it’s the type of book a publisher can sell is the first thing an editor wants to know. Most editors want to see that you have a good understanding of the publishing industry, which you can show by focusing on your book’s target audience.
Children’s fiction is divided into four categories:
- Picture Books: under six years old, under 1,000 words
- Early Readers: 6+ years old, 2,000 to 5,000 words
- Chapter Books: 7-9 years old, 5,000 to 10,000 words
- Middle Grade (MG): 9-12 years old, 30,000 to 50,000 words
- Young Adult (YA): 12-18 years old, 50,000 to 100,00 words
You want to experience what it’s like for booksellers to sell and promote their wares. Going into a Barnes & Noble will give you a better idea of ongoing trends than scanning Amazon’s Best Sellers list.
2 – Polish Your Manuscript
Your work must be as excellent as feasible before submitting it since editors seldom have time to edit. The outcome of thorough, well-planned revises and edits is almost always a great book.
Several writers have their kids (or nieces, or other people’s kids) read their works before submitting them to publishers. As a result, children provide some of the best beta readers.
You may get feedback from other writers and enthusiastic readers in various excellent online communities. Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators is a good place to begin your Facebook group journey.
Professional editors also aid you in identifying if you’re writing for the appropriate audience, which improves your storytelling and fixes your grammar.
Don’t worry about illustrations unless you’re a professional illustrator, such as Raymond Briggs (The Snowman) or Jon Klassen (I Want My Hat Back). Please don’t do it yourself, and don’t ask your spouse, kid, or college roommate to do it either. Hire freelancing illustrators for the purpose! They will do all the hard work, from editing the layout and choosing the ideal fonts to typesetting and designing the illustrations and the front cover.
3 – Self-Publish on Online Retailers
Congratulations on completing your book! Now it’s time to think about how to share this magnificent book with the rest of the world.
Do you prefer print or digital books? Should you print in bulk or on-demand? What printer should you use, and how should you distribute your product? What’s the ISBN of your book? Let’s look at each of these problems in detail.
Ebook vs. Print
Researchers, teachers, and parents are still debating whether ebooks aid youngsters in reading. Because of the audio excerpts or animation pictures, the electronic format makes books easier to buy, carry, and use. It offers an author the opportunity to have a wider audience at a cheaper price.
On the other hand, ebooks give youngsters more screen time, they’re generally more engaging, and reading printed materials are shown to aid kids in retaining more information.
If there is a demand for both printed and ebooks, you can produce them. (Note that the two formats will have distinct ISBNs.)
Choose Amazon KDP
Amazon is a popular option for indie authors because it can print and distribute its books.
In addition, Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s publishing arm, invites virtually anybody to publish their book, notwithstanding their experience. You make a KDP account, upload your book, add the book cover, fill in the product information, and hit publish to publish on Amazon. It’s that simple.
4 – Introduce Your Story Among Children
Even when you’re going the traditional route, marketing is an important component of publishing, especially when you’re doing it all yourself! You want to present a favorable face behind your tales as an author, not only increase your book’s exposure. It’s how you connect with both children and parents.
FAQs on Publishing Your Own Children’s Book
What are the benefits of publishing your own children’s book?
Answer: Publishing your own children’s book can be a rewarding creative, and financial experience. It can be a great way to share your love of writing and children with the world, and it can also be a lucrative enterprise. In addition to earning royalties on each book sold, you can also earn a commission on any digital sales.
Additionally, self-publishing can be a great way to get your name. This can help you sell books at conferences and other events, and it can also help promote your children’s book to a wider audience. You can also use social media to get the word out there, and you can even use online bookstores to sell your books.
Ultimately, publishing your own children’s book is a great way to share your passion with the world and make some money!
How much does it cost to publish a children’s book?
Answer: When you approach a traditional publisher, publishing a children’s book will cost more than $2000. However, you can self-publish it for free! Many online services offer free publishing platforms, and many of these services offer templates and guidelines that you can use to create your book. Once your book is complete, it is time to promote it!
You can do this by using social media, online ads, and even word-of-mouth marketing. Make sure to set a date for your book launch and plan a publicity campaign that will help you reach as many people as possible. Be sure to track your progress and stay focused on the long-term goal of getting your book into the hands of as many children as possible!
When publishing my children’s book, which platform should I use: Amazon, iBooks, or Barnes & Noble?
Answer: There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on various factors, such as the type of book that you are publishing, the target audience, and your budget. Some factors to consider include Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, which allows you to self-publish your book and sell it on the Kindle Store; iBooks, which is Apple’s platform for selling books; and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Press, which allows authors to self-publish and sell books through the Barnes & Noble website and bookstores.
Ultimately, the best decision will depend on your specific situation and what is best for your book. It is important to do your research and speak with an industry expert to find the best platform for you and your book.
Do self-published children’s books sell?
Answer: Yes, self-published children’s books do sell. Many of them achieve stellar rankings on Amazon and other major bookselling platforms. This is likely because self-published authors are typically dedicated to writing quality content that appeals to a wide range of readers.
Additionally, publishers often use popular marketing channels like social media and email newsletters to reach potential customers. They also use digital tools like book trailers and author websites for increased exposure. So regardless of your publishing experience or level of expertise, there is a good chance you can successfully sell your books online.
Conclusion
By following the steps mentioned in this blog, you can self-publish your own children’s book with ease. Whether you’re a veteran writer or a complete novice, we’ve got the tips and tricks you need to get started. Keep an eye out for more helpful blog posts in the future that will help you take your children’s book writing to the next level!
Hi, I am a doctor by profession, but I love writing and publishing ebooks. I have self-published 3 ebooks which have sold over 100,000 copies. I am featured in Healthline, Entrepreneur, and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology blog.
Whether you’re a busy professional or an aspiring author with a day job, there’s no time like now to start publishing your ebook! If you are new to this world or if you are seeking help because your book isn’t selling as well as it should be – don’t worry! You can find here resources, tips, and tricks on what works best and what doesn’t work at all.
In this blog, I will help you to pick up the right tools and resources to make your ebook a best seller.