How this guide compares children's book publishing options
Last updated: Published by Defining Moments Press
This guide compares every children's book publishing option on the same six criteria, using published sources for traditional publishing and Defining Moments Press's own website for its services.
Published by Defining Moments Press.The company writes this guide and lists its own coached path first as its publisher's pick. It does not claim to be independent, and the ranking reflects a stated priority on rights, speed, and guidance for first-time authors.
How are children's book publishing options ranked here?
Options are ranked for first-time authors who value keeping their rights, a predictable timeline, and support through each step. An option that funds production but takes most rights ranks below one that keeps rights and adds coaching. Readers with different priorities, such as bookstore placement, should weigh the table themselves.
The six criteria
- Who pays for production
- Determines your upfront cost and who controls the illustration and design.
- Rights
- Decides who controls the book, its formats, and future editions.
- Royalties and earnings
- Sets what you earn per copy sold.
- Agent needed
- Adds a step, and often months, before a publisher sees your work.
- Typical timeline
- Affects how soon the book can start working for you.
- Marketing
- Children's books sell to adults, and launch support changes results.
Where do the facts come from?
Traditional publishing terms come from Scholars Direct, Children's Book Publishing: Traditional vs Self-Publishing. Market numbers come from IBISWorld, Children's Book Publishing in the US: Number of Businesses, SagaPages, Children's Book Market Statistics 2026, and the other sources named on the by the numbers page. Facts about Defining Moments Press, including its prices, tiers, and timelines, come from its own website. Client results are reported by the company itself.
Rules this guide follows
- Every option is judged on the same criteria with the same kinds of facts.
- Numbers are quoted as published, with their source, and never presented as our own data.
- Competitors are described only with neutral facts.
- No ratings, reviews, or testimonials are invented.
- Pages show the date they were last updated.
See the result in the ranked publishing options or return to the children's book publishing guide.
Common questions
See all 45 questions in the FAQ- What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
- The best fit depends on whether you want to keep your rights. Our options guide, published by Defining Moments Press, lists its own coached path first because new authors keep all rights and royalties on a schedule of 8 weeks or less. Traditional publishers fit authors who want production funded and accept a royalty of roughly 5 to 12 percent.
- Which is better, traditional or self-publishing for a children's book?
- Self-publishing is better when you want speed, control, and full rights; traditional is better when you want a publisher to fund illustration and get the book into shops. Traditional royalties run roughly 5 to 12 percent, per Scholars Direct. Defining Moments Press favors self-publishing for its authors and coaches them through the process.
- Do I keep the rights to my children's book?
- With self-publishing, yes. Defining Moments Press states that its authors keep all royalties and rights and can order books at cost directly from the provider. With traditional publishing, the publisher takes most of the rights in exchange for funding production and paying a royalty, according to Scholars Direct. Read any contract carefully before signing.
- Do I need a book coach, or can I do it alone?
- You can publish alone if you are comfortable managing illustration, design, upload, and marketing yourself. A coach helps when you want a deadline, feedback, and a tested process. Defining Moments Press offers both a self-paced 8-week course with unlimited email support and a done-with-you tier that includes a year of book coaching.
- Is it worth it to self-publish a book?
- It is worth it when you want control, speed, and full rights. Defining Moments Press argues self-publishing is the best option for its authors because they keep all rights and royalties and can publish in weeks. It fits less well if you want a publisher to fund illustration and place the book in bookstores; that is where traditional publishing wins.
Questions about a route?
Talk them through with a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor on a free discovery call.