How to publish a children's book: a 10-step guide
Last updated: Published by Defining Moments Press
To publish a children's book, choose your reader's age and format, write and test the story, pick a publishing route, arrange illustration and design, then publish and launch it.
Defining Moments Press, which publishes this guide, coaches authors through these same stages in a program built for 8 weeks or less, at about 2 to 5 hours a week for its self-paced Author Blueprint. The steps below work whether you self-publish, work with a coach, or seek a traditional deal.
What is the first step to publish a children's book?
The first step is deciding exactly who the book is for: the reader's age and the format. A board book for toddlers, a picture book for ages 3 to 8, and an early reader each need different lengths, art, and prices. Defining Moments Press makes knowing your reader a core lesson in its free one-hour course, because a clear reader is what keeps authors moving to the finish.
The 10 steps, in order
- 1
Choose your reader's age and format
Decide whether you are writing a board book, a picture book, or an early reader. This one choice sets your word count, how much illustration you need, and your print cost.
- 2
Write the manuscript
Write for the exact age you chose. Keep the child at the center of the story and let the pictures carry part of it, so the text stays short.
- 3
Revise by reading aloud
Most children's books are read aloud by an adult. Reading your draft aloud shows you where the rhythm breaks and where words are too hard.
- 4
Test with real readers
Read the draft to children in your target age range and to parents or teachers. Note where attention drops and what questions they ask.
- 5
Pick your publishing route
Query a literary agent, submit to publishers that accept unagented manuscripts, or self-publish alone or with a coach. Our ranked options page compares all four.
- 6
Plan the illustrations
With a traditional publisher, the publisher usually chooses the illustrator. When you self-publish, you hire the illustrator and agree in writing on artwork ownership.
- 7
Edit, format, and design
Get a professional edit, then lay out text and art page by page and design a cover that reads clearly at thumbnail size online.
- 8
Set up the publishing details
Obtain an ISBN for each format, write your book description, choose categories, and set your price based on print cost and royalty share.
- 9
Publish in print and ebook
Upload print-ready files and the ebook. Order and check a printed proof before release, since colors often look different on paper.
- 10
Launch and keep marketing
Build an audience before launch, run a focused launch campaign, then keep the book visible through schools, libraries, events, and online.
Timeline
How long does it take to publish a children's book?
On a coached self-publishing path it can take weeks rather than years. Defining Moments Press builds its program to help authors write and publish in 8 weeks or less. It describes the traditional route as costing authors about 2 years, and in traditional publishing the publisher sets the schedule.
Illustration is often the longest single step on any route, so start planning it as soon as the manuscript is stable. Ordering and checking a printed proof adds a little time but catches color and layout problems before readers see them.
Series
How to publish a children's book series
Publish the first book, learn from its launch, then release later books on a steady schedule with the same characters, trim size, and cover style. Decide the series look before book one so every cover matches on a shelf.
Self-publishing gives you full control of the series timeline. In traditional publishing, a publisher often waits to see how the first book sells before committing to more, per the general practice described by Scholars Direct, Children's Book Publishing: Traditional vs Self-Publishing.
How do you publish a children's book without an agent?
You can self-publish, alone or with a coach, or submit directly to publishers that accept unagented manuscripts. Large houses such as Penguin Random House generally work through agents, so a direct route to them is rare. Our page on publishing a children's book without an agent walks through each route.
Back to the main children's book publishing guide, or compare the costs and royalties of each route.
Common questions
See all 45 questions in the FAQ- How do you publish a children's book?
- Pick your reader's age and format, write and revise the manuscript, get feedback, choose a publishing route, arrange illustration, edit and design the book, publish in print and ebook, and launch with a marketing plan. Our 10-step guide covers each stage. Defining Moments Press coaches authors through these stages in a program built for 8 weeks or less.
- Do I need to find my own illustrator?
- With traditional publishing, usually not: the publisher chooses the illustrator, per Scholars Direct, so writers generally submit text only unless they are also the artist. With self-publishing, yes: you hire and pay the illustrator and should agree in writing on who owns the artwork. A coached service can help you plan and schedule that step.
- How do you publish a children's book with Random House?
- Large traditional publishers such as Penguin Random House generally take children's manuscripts through literary agents rather than directly from authors, so the usual path is to query agents who represent children's books. Check the publisher's own submissions page for current rules, since policies change. If you would rather keep your rights and move faster, self-publishing is the alternative.
- How do you publish a children's book in the USA?
- Authors in the USA have the same three routes: query a literary agent, submit to publishers that accept unagented manuscripts, or self-publish. Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company in Fresno, California, that works with authors worldwide. US self-publishers typically obtain an ISBN for each edition; confirm current rules with the official US ISBN agency.
- Do I need an ISBN for a children's book?
- You need an ISBN to sell a print book through most bookstore and library channels, and each format, such as hardcover and paperback, takes its own. Some self-publishing platforms offer a free ISBN that lists the platform as publisher, while buying your own lists you. Check current rules with your country's official ISBN agency.
- Can I use ChatGPT to write a book and sell it?
- You can use AI tools for drafting help, but you are responsible for the final book. Some publishing platforms ask authors to disclose AI-generated content, so read the current terms of the platform you publish on. Children's books depend on voice, age-appropriate language, and original illustration, so careful human editing is still needed for a book parents will trust.
Want a coach for these 10 steps?
Book a free discovery call with Defining Moments Press to explore your idea and get a clear plan for your next step.