So you want to self-publish your children’s book. Amazing!
Self-publishing can be a wonderful path, especially if you have a clear vision, a specific audience, and a message you feel called to steward with care.
But before we get dreamy about launch parties and Amazon listings and little kids holding your book in their cutie tiny hands, we need to talk about the actual process of getting the book made.
Self-publishing means you are not only the author. You are also the publisher. You are the one making decisions about editing, illustration, design, printing, ISBNs, distribution, quality control, and literally everything.
Children’s books are visual, physical, and surprisingly technical. They need strong words, beautiful art, clean design, the right format, and a printing plan that makes sense for your goals.
And if you’re creating a Christian children’s book, there’s an added layer of responsibility. We’re not just trying to get a book into the world. We’re trying to tell the truth beautifully and serve real children and families well.
So let’s walk through the path from manuscript to printed book.
If you’re still shaping your story, The KidLit Lab’s Manuscript Masterclass is where I walk through the process of creating a strong Christian picture book manuscript. And if you want help understanding the broader publishing path, including traditional vs. self-publishing, Publishing School goes much deeper.
For now, here’s the overview.
Traditional publishers usually pay for editing, illustration, design, printing, and distribution. When you self-publish, those expenses are yours. You may hire professionals, and you probably should, but you are the one building the team and making the final calls.
So before you begin, think like a publisher.
Ask:
Who is this book for?
Who will buy it?
What format does it need to be?
How much will it cost to produce?
How will it be printed?
Where will it be sold?
What quality level do I need to reach for this book to feel trustworthy?
For Christian authors, I’d add:
Is the theology clear?
Is the message age-appropriate?
Does the story delight, or does it only instruct?
Would a parent trust this book?
Would a child ask for it again?
Before hiring anyone, create a real budget. A children’s book budget can include any of the following.
Editing
Proofreading
Illustration
Book design
Cover design
ISBNs
Copyright registration
Proof copies
Printing
Shipping
Author copies
Distribution setup
You’ll also want to add a 10–20% cushion, because…surprise expenses.
Children’s books are often more expensive to self-publish than text-only books because they require illustration, full-color printing, careful layout, and a format that feels good in a child’s hands.
My honest recommendation? Prioritize the manuscript, the illustration, and the design. Readers may not know exactly why a book feels professional, but they can usually tell when it doesn’t.
I know the art is the fun part. But if your manuscript is not ready, starting art too soon can become very expensive. Before illustration, your manuscript should be revised, edited, and paced for page turns.
For a picture book, look at:
Word count
Read-aloud quality
Story arc
Page turns
Repetition
Emotional progression
Ending
Age range
Market fit
Theological clarity
Show don’t tell
Most picture books are under 1,000 words, and many are much shorter. If your manuscript is 1,500 words and you are convinced every line must stay…remember: Children’s book writing is an art of compression. You’re trying to say the truest thing in the fewest right words.
If you’re working on a first draft, my 3-Hour Picture Book Draft can help you get the idea out of your head and onto the page. If you already have a draft and know it needs shaping, The KidLit Edit can help you revise with a more professional eye.
Because around here the goal is not “good enough for self-published.”
The goal is the best it can be.
At some point, your manuscript needs outside eyes. Not just your spouse. Or your mom. You need feedback from people who understand children’s books. That might mean a critique group, a professional editor, a children’s book author, a coach, or a trusted writing community.
You’re looking for answers to questions like:
Is the story clear?
Does the pacing work?
Is the beginning strong?
Does the ending land?
Is the faith element integrated or tacked on?
Is the language appropriate for the age range?
Is this actually working as a children’s book?
Christian children’s books can sometimes become message-first and story-second. But children don’t usually ask to reread “a message.” They ask to reread a story.
The message matters deeply. But the story has to carry it.
Once the manuscript is strong, begin thinking in pages. Storyboarding helps you decide where the text goes, where the art changes, and whether each spread is earning its place.
Ask:
Where does the scene change?
Where does the emotion change?
Where should a page turn create surprise or anticipation?
Where does the art need room to breathe?
Where am I using too many words?
How many illustrations will I need?
This matters because illustrators usually quote based on the scope of the project: full spreads, spot illustrations, cover art, character sketches, trim size, revision rounds, and so on.
Before final art begins, decide your book’s trim size and format.
Will it be square? Portrait? Landscape? Paperback? Hardcover? 32 pages? 40 pages?
This decision matters because art is created for a specific shape. An illustration designed for a square book may not work in a portrait book without awkward cropping.
You also need to decide whether you’re aiming for print-on-demand or offset printing.
Print-on-demand is often easier and has lower upfront cost. You don’t have to store boxes of books in your garage, but the per-book cost is usually higher, and your options for paper, binding, and quality may be more limited.
Offset printing usually gives you better quality and lower per-unit costs when you print in bulk, but it requires a larger upfront investment. You’ll also need to store, ship, and manage inventory.
Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on your budget, quality expectations, sales plan, and whether you realistically know how you’ll sell the number of books you print.
For picture books, look for someone who understands emotion, movement, character consistency, pacing, page turns, and child appeal. A beautiful style matters, but picture book illustration is more than making pretty art.
Before hiring, clarify:
Art style
Number of spreads
Cover art
Character sketches
Revision rounds
Timeline
Payment schedule
Copyright ownership
Usage rights
Marketing usage
File delivery
Credit
Cancelation terms
And please hear this! Use a contract! A contract protects you, the illustrator, the project, and the relationship. I have all sorts of sample contracts in Publishing School.
If possible, think about paying for a sample illustration before committing to the full book. This gives you a sense of how the illustrator handles your story, your character, your tone, and your feedback.
An illustrator and a book designer are not always the same person. The illustrator creates the art. The designer turns the words and art into a professional book file. A good book designer thinks about:
Text placement
Font choices
Margins
Bleed
Gutter
Readability
Cover layout
Back cover copy
Barcode placement
Spine width
Print-ready files
This is one of the most commonly skipped steps in self-publishing. A strong designer can make your book feel cohesive, polished, and professional. A weak design can make even beautiful illustrations feel amateur.
Ask your designer if they have experience with children’s books specifically. Also ask whether they can prepare files for your chosen printer or platform, since Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and offset printers may all have different requirements. And of course, ask how many rounds of revisions are included.
Before printing, you’ll need your publishing details in order.
Depending on your plan, this may include:
ISBN (pro tip - don’t use the free one from Amazon or Ingram, buy it here and use the same one no matter where you upload.)
Copyright page
Copyright registration
Publisher name or imprint
Book description
Categories
Keywords
Age range
Grade range
Pricing
Retail metadata
An ISBN is a unique identifier for your book. If you publish paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions, each format usually needs its own ISBN. (Buy it here.) You’ll also need a barcode for the back cover if the book will be sold in retail settings. (You can get them lots of places, here’s one.)
Your metadata—title, subtitle, description, categories, and keywords—helps retailers, libraries, and buyers understand what your book is. This is also part of distribution, not just marketing. (Use SADIE for this if you want!)
Even if your manuscript has already been edited, you need proofreading after design. Text can shift during layout. Words can be dropped. Line breaks can get weird. Page numbers can be wrong.
You can do this yourself, or hire someone!
Before your book goes live or goes to print, order proofs. Hold the book. Read it out loud. Turn every page. Check:
Cover color
Interior color
Margins
Gutter
Bleed
Image quality
Text placement
Barcode
Copyright page
Page order
Back cover
Spine
Read-aloud flow
If something feels off, now is the time to fix it!
Once your files are final, you can move into printing and distribution.
Your main options are usually:
Amazon KDP
IngramSpark
Offset printing
Direct sales through your own website
Some combination of the above
Amazon KDP can be convenient for Amazon shoppers (and is usually fast and cheapest for the customer). IngramSpark can make your book available more broadly to bookstores and libraries. Offset printing can give you a more premium product and better margins at higher quantities, but you’ll need to manage inventory and fulfillment.
If you plan to sell to churches, schools, conferences, ministries, or homeschool groups, think carefully about how those buyers will order. Some may prefer bulk orders directly from you. Some may need invoices. Some may want a purchase order. Some may just want an Amazon link.
Self-publishing a children’s book is absolutely possible.
But the best self-published books are not tossed together. They are built carefully. They honor the reader. Respect the child. Tell the truth beautifully. Look and feel professional.
If God has given you a story to steward, it is worth stewarding well, and I hope you make it happen.
Writing Together,
Laura
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.