You've Written Your First Children's Picture Book. So, What’s Next?

How to Publish an Illustrated Children’s Book

Congratulations! You have completed a major feat in writing and illustrating your first children's picture book. You may be wondering what the next steps are in getting your book published. In this post, I will give you a quick introduction to the world of publishing and share with you valuable information about the children’s book publishing process.

Children's Book Publishing Process

The process of getting a book published can seem daunting, but it does not have to be! There are many different routes you can take in getting your book into the hands of children (and adults) all over the world. So, in this article will give you an in-depth overview and enable you in understanding the best ways on how to Publish an Illustrated Children’s Book.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing

Traditional publishing houses are companies that will finance the printing of your book and then distribute it through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. In exchange for their investment, they will take a percentage of the sales (usually around 10-15%). The upside of going with a traditional publisher is that they will manage all of the printing and distribution for you, which means you won't have any upfront costs. The drawback is that finding a publisher who will accept your book for publication can be challenging; they get hundreds or even thousands of submissions annually and only a small fraction of them are accepted for publication.

The traditional route would typically include finding a literary agent who will represent you and your work. If you would like to learn more about writing a query letter you can read my post here on that. Literary agents collaborate with authors to help them get their books published by finding the right publishing house that will print and distribute the book.

You can also choose to self-publish your book. This means that you will be responsible for finding a printer and distributor for your book. However, while self-publishing can be more expensive upfront, you will retain all rights to your work and will receive a higher percentage of royalties (the money made from each book sold. The upside of self-publishing is that you maintain complete control over your book. the creative process, from start to finish.

Self Publishing a Children's Book With Illustrations

The children’s book publishing process is made easier when you understand all the steps involved. In the past, getting a children's picture book published seemed like an impossible dream. But with modern technology, it is easier than ever to self-publish your work on platforms like Amazon and remain in control of everything from start to finish. However, it is important to invest time and money up front to create a quality book. Primarily, you would want to draft your book and self-edit as much as you can.

Beta readers can help you figure out any issues before you press publish. If you have the budget, hiring a developmental editor may help your book to take shape further, while a copy editor will help ensure typos or errors do not affect the readability or legibility of your work. With this combination of effort and planning your book is sure to be as successful as possible in the self-publishing market.

For aspiring authors, the long-held dream of seeing their work published is more achievable than ever! With today's resources and social media platforms providing straightforward self-publishing options with potential for greater profits and more importantly reader connection - now is the perfect time to make your mark on the literary world.

These are just some of the steps involved in self-publishing, but many feel that going down this route is more worth their investment as it allows them to maintain creative control over their project from start to finish.

Best Way to Publish a Children's Book

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing. It ultimately comes down to what's best for you and your book. No matter which route you decide to take, know that getting your children's picture book published is an exciting journey!

If you are looking for complete creative control and are willing to front the costs yourself, self-publishing may be the way to go. But if you are looking for an easier (albeit less controllable) path to getting your book published, traditional publishing may be a better option. Whichever route you decide to take, we wish you the best of luck!

Beware of vanity publishers!

Aspiring authors, take heed; the industry is becoming rife with malicious publishers looking to get away with fraud. In my article here you can find out what to watch for so your hard work doesn't go to waste and to safeguard yourself against scammers. Arm yourself with knowledge and stay one step ahead of these deceivers.

In Conclusion:

There are many available resources to help you along the way, so do not be afraid to ask for help or advice from those who have gone before you. Above all, enjoy the process and savor this amazing accomplishment - you've written a book!

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