Publishing a children's book without an agent
Last updated: Published by Defining Moments Press
Yes, you can publish a children's book without an agent, through self-publishing or by submitting to publishers that accept unagented manuscripts.
An agent matters mainly for reaching large traditional houses. Defining Moments Press, which publishes this guide, works with authors directly and needs no agent: authors keep all rights and royalties, and its program is built to help them write and publish in 8 weeks or less.
How do you publish a children's book without an agent?
Pick one of three routes: coached self-publishing, a direct submission to a publisher that accepts unagented work, or self-publishing on your own. The first and third let you keep your rights and set your own schedule. The second keeps a traditional deal on the table, with the publisher funding production and choosing the illustrator.
Three routes without an agent, compared
| Route | How it works | What you keep | What to check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coached self-publishing | A service such as Defining Moments Press guides you through writing, design, publishing, and launch for a fee. | All rights and royalties | What each tier includes, and whether illustration is part of it |
| Unagented traditional submission | You send your manuscript directly to publishers that state they accept unagented children's submissions. | A royalty, typically 5 to 12 percent of list price (Scholars Direct) | Each publisher's current submission guidelines and response times |
| Do-it-yourself self-publishing | You hire the illustrator, editor, and designer yourself and upload files to a printing and distribution service. | All rights; retail price minus platform share and print cost | Platform royalty terms, ISBN ownership, and proof quality |
Context
Why do big publishers want agents?
Large houses such as Penguin Random House generally take children's manuscripts through literary agents, who screen submissions and negotiate contracts. In traditional publishing the publisher funds production, chooses the illustrator, and sells into shops in exchange for most of the rights, as Scholars Direct, Children's Book Publishing: Traditional vs Self-Publishing explains.
If your goal is a large house, querying agents is still the normal path. If your goal is a published book you control, you do not need one.
Checklist
Before you submit without an agent
- Confirm the publisher accepts unagented children's submissions right now.
- Send text only unless you are also the illustrator.
- Follow the format and length rules on the submissions page exactly.
- Never pay a reading fee to a traditional publisher.
- Read every contract clause on rights and royalties before signing.
See the full ranked children's book publishing options or go back to the children's book publishing guide.
Common questions
See all 45 questions in the FAQ- 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.
- Can a first-time author publish a children's book?
- Yes. Self-publishing removes the need for an agent or a publisher's approval, so a first-time author can publish on their own schedule. Defining Moments Press says its program helps authors write a bestselling book even if no one has ever heard of them. A first-timer should still test the draft with readers in the target age range before publishing.
- 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.
- 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 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.
Skip the agent search
Talk with a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor about publishing your book while keeping all rights and royalties.