Have you been working on that dream magical story for kids, wondering how to bring it to life in libraries and the shelves of bookstores? Dreaming about signing on with an established publisher? Or is self-publishing more your speed? The children’s book publishing world is ever-changing, and it can feel daunting to step into it in 2025. The good news is that there has never been a more exhilarating time to be a children’s book author, and there will be for someone who understands the process.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about publishing your children’s book in a changing market. From getting your manuscript polished to illustrations (with many options available), marketing, and various publishing options, this comprehensive roadmap will guide you through every step, even allowing you to envision your story in a finished book, with the hope that it will inspire children.
Let’s get started on the entire process to get your children’s book published in 2025, step by step.
Understand The Children’s Book Market
A widespread mistake you can avoid when starting out your first children’s book is not having a clear vision about the age limit you would be targeting. Understanding this would allow you to set the tone of your book according to the target audience; it will also help you to identify the theme of the story, use of language, story and chapter length, plot complexity, as well as the age of key characters.
Although, this understanding is not limited to the story only. Almost 90% of your children’s book sales would be in print, and the age of the reader would also determine the physical dimension. If you want to achieve a 100% attention rate from your target audience, having an eye-catching book cover is essential. You can seek help from children’s book cover designs in USA for attention-grabbing covers.
Write Your First Draft And Gather Feedback
Writing a great children’s book involves following the exact same storytelling elements as any adult fiction manuscript. You will need:
- A fascinating premise for the story
- Identifiable characters
- A goal (internal or external) to drive the story
- Stumbles along the way (internal or external)
- Resolution
- Change or character growth
Tailor Your Language According To Your Readers
Using language that is too advanced or too simple can quickly disengage your readers. Using unfamiliar vocabulary can work equally well for your audience, as children enjoy learning and exploring new words – but you need to ensure that they make an educated guess in context.
Show, Don’t Tell
Paint the picture of your story with words. Use the “show, don’t tell’ formula to convey your character’s emotions and feelings. Your reader does not want to read about whether the character is shy, scared, or lonely; instead, they want to experience the character’s reactions, physical actions, inner thoughts, or dialogue.
Choose A Publishing Route
You can use a publishing service to accelerate the publishing game of your book. There are multiple children’s book publishing services which offer easier access to high-street bookshops and validation. However, they can be slow-moving and highly competitive, and they often provide limited creativity.
With traditional publishing services, you can also opt for the self-publishing options, which not only give you creative control but also the freedom to publish when you want, with a higher earning per sale. However, it is essential to keep in mind that self-publishing is a complete business in which you need to take on the responsibility of production and marketing, along with the upfront costs.
Hire A Professional Children’s Editor
If your manuscript is finished and tested and you’re ready to self-publish, the next step is to hire an experienced children’s book editor. An editor worth hiring will provide valuable feedback on your manuscript that’s honest and informed, and will teach you tons about writing for children. What you will learn for your next book is invaluable – believe me! Compare prices and trust your gut and your wallet! The cost will depend on the editor’s experience, the length of your book, and the quality of your manuscript. I paid between $650 and $1,000 for my middle-grade novels and I had quite clean manuscripts. Additionally, picture book editing will likely be less expensive due to the shorter word count.
Collaborate With an Illustrator
Relying solely on your text is not a good idea if you want to stand out in the children’s book market. Just as the name suggests, a children’s book, your book targets children whose attention can only be captured through colourful pictures. Your illustrator is your co-storyteller in the publishing of your book; don’t take your illustrator for granted, as they are your co-storyteller, and they can make or break your whole story. You need to find someone who is similar to you in the style, and the tone and the emotional arc of your text. You can ask to hire one of your designer friends to get the job done, or you can find one on different freelance platforms.
Format Your Book For Print
Once the book is proofread and edited, it is not ready for formatting. You can choose the trim size based on the genre of your story. US and UK trim sizes vary slightly, but you can stick to the same size for both markets to keep the hassle of separate ISBNs. Also, it is essential to make sure to keep the trim size the same in case you’re using more than one printer.
Market Your Book Strategically
Marketing is the key if you want your audience to know about your book and succeed. In the digital world, utilizing social media as a marketing tool for your book is the easiest and most cost-effective way. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest can be your best friend in the journey. You can share read-aloud or behind-the-scene, etc, to market your book effectively. Another effective and trendy way is email marketing. You can start a newsletter offering colour pages, early access to new content or storytime tips to provide your audience with special or limited-time offers.