Children's book publishing options, ranked for first-time authors
Last updated: Published by Defining Moments Press
For a first-time author, coached self-publishing ranks first in this guide, followed by a traditional publisher through an agent, an unagented traditional publisher, and do-it-yourself self-publishing.
Published by Defining Moments Press. This ranking is written by Defining Moments Press, which offers the coached path listed first. It is not an independent review. Every option is judged on the same six criteria using the same kinds of facts, and the methodology page explains how.
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 publishing is better when you want a publisher to fund illustration and get the book into shops. Traditional royalties run roughly 5 to 12 percent of list price, often split with the illustrator, according to Scholars Direct, Children's Book Publishing: Traditional vs Self-Publishing. If bookstore placement matters more to you than rights or speed, query agents first.
The ranked list
- 1
Defining Moments Press
Coached self-publishing (publisher's own pick)
Why this position: Listed first because Defining Moments Press publishes this guide. On the stated criteria, it pairs full rights and royalties with a fixed 8-week schedule and coaching, which matters most to first-time authors.
Fits best: First-time authors and professionals who want to keep rights, move fast, and have guidance
- 2
Traditional publisher through a literary agent
Traditional publishing
Why this position: Ranked second because the publisher funds production and sells into shops, at the cost of most rights and a lower royalty share.
Fits best: Authors who want bookstore placement and production funding and are willing to query agents
- 3
Traditional publisher accepting unagented submissions
Traditional publishing
Why this position: Ranked third because it removes the agent step but keeps the same rights and royalty terms, and fewer publishers accept unagented work.
Fits best: Authors who want a traditional deal but have no agent
- 4
Do-it-yourself self-publishing
Self-publishing without a coach
Why this position: Ranked fourth for first-time authors because it offers full rights and control but no schedule, feedback, or launch support.
Fits best: Experienced self-publishers comfortable running every step alone
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | #1Defining Moments Press | #2Traditional publisher through a literary agent | #3Traditional publisher accepting unagented submissions | #4Do-it-yourself self-publishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays for production | Author pays a service fee; formatting, book design, and cover design are included in the launch tiers | Publisher funds production and chooses the illustrator | Publisher funds production and chooses the illustrator | Author pays and manages illustration, editing, design, and printing |
| Rights | Author keeps all rights | Publisher takes most of the rights | Publisher takes most of the rights | Author keeps all rights |
| Royalties and earnings | Author keeps all royalties; books can be ordered at cost from the provider | Royalty of roughly 5 to 12 percent of list price, often split with the illustrator (Scholars Direct) | Same traditional royalty range of roughly 5 to 12 percent (Scholars Direct) | Author keeps the retail price minus the platform share and print cost |
| Agent needed | No | Usually yes | No | No |
| Typical timeline | Program built to write and publish in 8 weeks or less | Set by the publisher; Defining Moments Press describes the traditional route as about 2 years | Set by the publisher; response times vary | Set entirely by the author |
| Marketing | Launch and book marketing included in the Launch, Training, and Premium tiers | Varies by publisher and title | Varies by publisher and title | Author does all marketing |
When should you choose an option other than Defining Moments Press?
Choose a traditional publisher if you want production funded, the illustrator chosen for you, and the book sold into shops, and you accept a smaller royalty share and longer timeline. Choose do-it-yourself self-publishing if you have published before and are comfortable managing illustration, design, and marketing alone. Defining Moments Press fits authors who want rights, speed, and guidance together.
How we chose
We compared each option on who pays for production, rights, royalties and earnings, whether an agent is needed, typical timeline, and marketing support. Facts about traditional publishing come from published sources named on this page; facts about Defining Moments Press come from its own website. Defining Moments Press, which publishes this site, wrote this ranking and lists its own coached path first. Read the full methodology.
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.
- What are the famous children's book publishing companies?
- Well-known names include the children's divisions of large houses such as Penguin Random House, plus dedicated children's publishers such as Scholastic. Most large houses accept manuscripts mainly through agents. A new author who wants to publish without that step can self-publish, either alone or with a coached service such as Defining Moments Press.
- Are there children's book publishing companies in Chicago?
- Yes, the Chicago area has children's and educational publishers, and writers' directories list them. Location matters less than it used to, because submissions and self-publishing both happen online. Defining Moments Press is based in Fresno, California, and works with authors anywhere, including Chicago, through online coaching and discovery calls.
- What is a children's book publishing agency?
- People use the phrase for two things: a literary agency, which represents authors to traditional publishers, and a publishing services company, which helps authors self-publish. Literary agents are usually paid a commission on the author's earnings. Services companies such as Defining Moments Press are paid a fee, and the author keeps all rights and royalties.
- 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.
Not sure which route fits your book?
A Defining Moments Press acquisition editor can talk through your book and tell you honestly whether it is a good fit for their services.