2024 Guide to Self Publishing a Children’s Book 

Your imagination has manifested into a few thousand word document- congratulations, you’ve written your very first children’s book! Whether the inspiration came from the depths of childhood tales of your own or stories you hope your own children can take with them one day, it is a momentous occasion. Writing for a young audience is no small feat, and getting it out into the world is the next vital step in the process of realizing your creativity being brought to life. It is a unique adventure, to shape how children interact with stories. Going the route of traditional publishing can feel overwhelming, expensive, and full of backlog. Thankfully, we have compiled a convenient guide to self publishing a children’s book, dealing with everything from design to marketing and printing. Let’s get into it! 

1.Develop Your Children’s Book Concept 

• Target Audience: If you already have your children’s book written, are in the middle of a first draft when reading this, or have it as an idea in your mind, developing the book concept is a vital step that can always be primped and pruned. A concept will shape the young minds reading your book, and allow you to dig deeper into the well of your ability to craft worlds. Central to this process is understanding your target audience, which is defined primarily by age range. This consideration influences every aspect of your book, from the complexity of the story and the structure of sentences to the themes you wish to explore. For instance, books aimed at toddlers are often shorter with simpler, repetitive text and bright, bold illustrations, while stories intended for older children can delve into more complex narratives and subtler themes. Hone in on the style of writing and the audience you are going for, and run with that theme. 

• Themes and Messages: What lessons will you impart through your words? What messages should be clearly communicated? Aim to choose those that resonate deeply with children and can teach them valuable life lessons or morals. Themes such as friendship, courage, and kindness are perennial favorites in children’s literature because they offer relatable lessons in a digestible and engaging way. Incorporating these messages subtly through your narrative and characters allows children to absorb important values organically, enhancing their reading experience. 

• Illustrations: Far more than just embellishments in children’s books, illustrations are integral to the storytelling process, often carrying as much of the narrative load as the text itself. They are crucial for engaging younger readers who may not yet be fluent in reading or who are visual learners. Deciding whether to create these illustrations yourself or collaborate with a professional artist is an important decision that can affect the overall appeal and professionalism of your book. An illustrator can bring your visions to life with a style that complements your storytelling, potentially elevating your book’s appeal to both children and the adults who purchase them. If you are already a talented artist yourself, you can consider doing your own first drafts of illustrations and running them by an editor. Either way, the visuals in the book will be one of the most important pillars! 

2.Write and Edit Your Manuscript 

• Language and Style: Writing and editing your manuscript are key phases in creating a children’s book, with language and style coming up first to bat. When crafting your text, it’s essential to keep the language simple yet engaging to hold the attention of young readers. Incorporating rhythmic and repetitive text can be particularly effective and memorable for young minds. Make your book educational and interesting. 

• Length: Very much based on the audience you are writing to, the target age group should be the first factor when you consider length. Books for toddlers and preschoolers are typically brief, often under 500 words, to match their shorter attention spans. On the other hand, books for older children might extend to several thousand words, similar to chapter books, providing a more complex and layered story. Deciding on the right length requires an understanding of cognitive development at different ages, ensuring that the book remains engaging without overwhelming young readers with too much information at once. Take this into account when doing first drafts, and rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite!

• Editing: Whether you do this with an acquaintance or family and friends or hire out a professional, most of the book will become a masterpiece after multiple edits and revisions. Editors are crucial in fine-tuning the language and ensuring that it is appropriate for the intended age group. Vocabulary can be adjusted, complex sentence structures are smoothed over, and the overall flow of the story is refined. Edit away!

3.Illustration and Designing a Children’s Book

• Finding an Illustrator: Back to the importance of illustrations! We needed a whole section on it, to be sure. They often serve as the primary draw for younger readers and audiences and a poignant pillar of storytelling. If you’re not skilled in visual arts, finding a professional illustrator becomes a crucial step in the book creation process. The illustrator you choose should have a style that complements the tone and mood of your story, whether it’s whimsical, adventurous, or gentle. Researching illustrators whose works resonate with your vision, or browsing portfolios on platforms like Behance or Instagram, can help you find the right match. It’s important to communicate clearly your vision and expectations to ensure that the illustrations effectively reflect the narrative and appeal to your audience.

• Layout and Design: Once you have your illustrations, integrating them effectively with your text is the next crucial step. This integration is vital for the readability of a children’s book, as it influences how children interact with the story and illustrations together. Professional book designers specialize in making this integration seamless, ensuring that the placement of text and images leads to an engaging and easy-to-follow flow. Consider factors like the balance of text and imagery, font sizes, and how the eye moves across the page, which are all important in capturing and holding a child’s attention.

4. How to Choose the Right Self Publishing Platform 

• Print vs. eBook: Deciding between print and eBook formats hinges largely on the interactive experience you want to provide to your audience. Print books are especially popular in the children’s genre due to the tactile experience they offer. Young readers benefit from the physical interaction with print books, such as turning pages and touching the illustrations, which can be crucial for their sensory development. Moreover, many parents and educators prefer print books for read-aloud sessions and as physical gifts. On the other hand, eBooks are convenient and can be more accessible. They allow for instant purchases and downloads, which are ideal for tech-savvy families and for providing interactive elements like sounds and animations. The downside of using print-on-demand services is that the author typically receives a very small percentage of the profits from book sales.

• Distribution: Choosing the right distribution platform is critical for reaching your audience effectively. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark stand out due to their extensive distribution networks. Amazon KDP offers an easy-to-use platform with a massive reach, making it ideal for authors who want to make their books available globally. It also provides tools for authors to directly manage their book sales and marketing promotions. IngramSpark caters to authors looking for both print and digital distribution, with the added benefit of tapping into an expansive network of bookstores and libraries through its distribution channels. This can be particularly beneficial for children’s books, as it enhances the visibility of your book across multiple retail and library platforms. Both platforms facilitate print-on-demand services, which means books are printed as they are ordered, reducing the upfront costs and risks associated with large print runs.

5.Marketing and Promoting a Children’s Book

• Targeted Marketing: Effective targeted marketing involves reaching out to groups directly connected to your potential readers, including parent groups, community centers, and online forums. Get directly connected to the primary buyers of children’s books and target the demographic you want purchasing your book.  Schools and children’s libraries are also pivotal platforms for promoting children’s literature. Organizing visits and interactive readings, and leverage social media platforms and collaborations with children’s book bloggers.

• Book Launch and Promotions: Planning a dynamic book launch event can create buzz and generate early interest in your book. Consider hosting events at bookstores, schools, or libraries where your target audience naturally gathers. These events can feature readings, activities related to the book’s themes, and Q&A sessions that engage both children and their parents. Promotions such as giveaways, contests, and discounts at launch can also attract initial readers and stimulate word-of-mouth publicity. Offering the first chapter for free online or providing signed copies can create additional incentives for potential buyers.

6.Legal and Financial Considerations 

• Copyrights: Safeguard your work and maintain control over its use by registering copyright. This registration secures legal recognition for your ownership of the content, whether it’s the text, illustrations, or both. This protection is particularly important in the publishing world as it defends against unauthorized reproductions and distributions of your work. In the United States, copyright registration can be done through the U.S. Copyright Office, a process that provides the legal backing to pursue any infringement cases in court if necessary. It is advisable to complete this step before releasing your book to the public to ensure that all rights are secured from the outset.

• Budgeting: Make sure to create a comprehensive budget of the self-publishing process, which includes the following categories: illustrations, editing, printing (we have you covered here at PufferPrint!),marketing, shipping & handling, and book storage,. Each element can significantly vary in cost depending on how far you want to go and who you want to collaborate with, but factoring in time and money into the budget is equally important. Once it is all laid out in front of you, you can begin a game plan to tackle it. 

7.Sales and Distribution for your Children’s Book 

• Setting Up Sales Channels: Along the same lines of marketing and promotion, sales and distribution are more direct and concerted efforts to get your book in front of the right audience. Choosing the right sales channels can significantly impact your book’s market presence. You can utilize online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others, which is a convenient way for readers to purchase your book and provides a global platform. Working with local bookstores by contacting them directly. Click here to learn more about Book Distribution. Additionally, consider the benefits of setting up your own website to sell your book directly to consumers. This approach can offer more control over sales, better profit margins, and the opportunity for direct interaction with your readers. 

• Feedback and Reviews: Encouraging feedback and actively seeking reviews are critical for establishing credibility and boosting your book’s visibility. Reviews on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads play a major role in influencing potential buyers and are often considered by readers before making a purchase decision. To generate reviews, consider sending out review copies to book bloggers, educators, and other influencers within the children’s literature community.

We hope this guide is helpful in giving you confidence to become a self published author! It is not only possible but completely attainable to launch a successful children’s book, make a profit, and sharing your story with young imaginations. At PufferPrint, we are here to help you each step of the way.