Quick Summary (TL;DR)
If you’re wondering how to publish a children’s book in 2025, the first thing to note is that the process involves eight key steps: research your market, write and edit your manuscript, plan your visuals, choose your publishing path (traditional, self-publishing, or author-first hybrid), handle production, design your book, distribute it, and launch with marketing. The biggest decision? Whether you want to keep 100% of your rights and royalties (self-publishing or author-first models) or share them with a traditional publisher. Most mission-driven professionals choose paths that let them maintain creative control while getting expert support.
Table of Contents: How to Publish a Children’s Book
- Step 1: Research the Children’s Book Market
- Step 2: Write & Polish Your Manuscript
- Step 3: Plan Your Illustrations & Visual Layout
- Step 4: Choose Your Publishing Path
- Step 5: Handle Professional Production
- Step 6: Book Design & Formatting
- Step 7: Publishing & Distribution
- Step 8: Launch & Marketing Strategy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Your Free Publishing Workbook
Step 1: Research the Children’s Book Market
Before you figure out all the details about how to publish a children’s book, know your audience. Children’s books aren’t just “for kids”, they’re for specific age ranges with distinct needs:
- Board books (0-3 years): 10 words or fewer per page
- Picture books (3-8 years): 500-1000 words total
- Early readers (5-9 years): 1000-2500 words
- Middle grade (8-12 years): 20,000-50,000 words
Research what’s already out there. Visit bookstores, check Amazon bestseller lists, and see what themes resonate. But here’s the thing, don’t just copy what’s popular. Mission-driven professionals often have unique perspectives that fill gaps in the market.
Step 2: Write & Polish Your Manuscript
Writing a children’s book isn’t about dumbing down your message, it’s about clarity and connection. Whether you’re a therapist wanting to teach emotional regulation or an educator sharing social skills, your expertise is your superpower.
The Writing Process:
- Draft your story focusing on one clear message
- Read it aloud, children’s books are meant to be heard
- Get feedback from your target age group and their parents
- Revise ruthlessly, every word counts in children’s literature
Pro tip: If you’re one of those 10 professionals who make ideal children’s book authors, you already hold onto priceless expert knowledge that could help so many kids and families (it already does). Trust that knowledge.
Step 3: Plan Your Illustrations & Visual Layout
Even if you’re not an artist, you need to think visually. For picture books, illustrations aren’t decoration, they’re half the storytelling.
Your Options:
- Hire a freelance illustrator (budget: $2,000-$10,000+)
- Work with a publishing service that provides illustration
- Create simple illustrations yourself (if appropriate for your book)
Need help stretching your budget? Our guide on how to illustrate your children’s book without breaking the bank covers creative alternatives.
Key consideration: Planning your picture book visually from the start saves time and money later.
Step 4: Which Path is Best for Publishing a Children’s Book?
This is the decision that affects everything about how to publish a children’s book: your timeline, costs, creative control, and long-term earnings.
Traditional Publishing
- Pros: No upfront costs, established distribution, industry credibility
- Cons: You give up rights, earn 5-15% royalties, limited creative control
- Best for: Authors who don’t have an up-front budget and value the mainstream industry credibility of being traditionally published. Must be resilient and understand that it can take many years of hard work before getting a manuscript acquired by a traditional publisher, if ever. The odds are stacked against you. Thick skin required.
Self-Publishing
- Pros: 100% creative control, 50-70% royalties through Amazon, work on your own timeline
- Cons: You handle everything yourself
- Best for: DIY enthusiasts who love researching. Must have time and marketing skills,
Learn more in our complete guide to self-publishing a children’s book.
Author-First Publishing (Like Garden Wolf)
- Pros: Keep 100% of rights and royalties, get expert support, maintain creative control
- Cons: Upfront investment required
- Best for: Mission-driven professionals who are thinking about publishing beyond just selling books. It’s about opening doors in their current career and paving pathways to new opportunities.
The reality? Most mission-driven experts choose paths that let them keep control while getting professional support.
Step 5: Handle Professional Production
Your book needs professional editing and proofreading, no exceptions. Children’s books require specialized editors who understand pacing, age-appropriate language, and educational value.
Production Checklist:
- Developmental editing (story structure and flow)
- Copy editing (grammar, style, consistency)
- Proofreading (final error check)
- Professional illustration (if not DIY)
Budget reality: Professional production typically costs $4,000-$15,000 for a high-quality children’s book, but the investment shows in your final product.
Step 6: Book Design & Formatting
Design isn’t just making it look pretty, it’s about creating an experience. Professional book design includes:
- Interior layout and typography
- Cover design that stands out on shelves (and thumbnails)
- Print specifications for your chosen formats
- Digital formatting for e-books
Amazon KDP tip: If you’re planning to print your book with Amazon KDP, their specifications are different from other printers. Plan accordingly.
Step 7: Publishing & Distribution
How to Publish a Children’s Book with Self-Publishing Platforms:
- Amazon KDP: Largest reach, print-on-demand available
- IngramSpark: Better bookstore distribution
- Barnes & Noble Press: Direct access to B&N stores
ISBNs and Legal Requirements:
- Get your own ISBN for maximum control
- Register copyright (optional, by creating a book you automatically have legal copyright over your work. Registering takes it to the next level.)
- Consider trademark for series characters
Avoid Common Mistakes When Publishing a Children’s Book:
Check our guide on 7 mistakes new authors make with Amazon KDP before you start planning how to publish a children’s book.
Step 8: Launch & Marketing Strategy
Publishing your book is just the beginning. Marketing determines whether your book finds its intended readers.
Launch Strategy Essentials:
- Pre-launch buzz: Build anticipation before release
- Launch week push: Coordinate reviews, social media, and outreach
- Long-term marketing: Ongoing promotion and relationship building
For mission-driven professionals: Your existing network is your greatest marketing asset. Colleagues, clients (with permission, of course), and professional associations can become your biggest champions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to publish a children’s book?
Wondering how to publish a children’s book without breaking the bank? It’s crucial to understand industry norms to gauge your expectations realistically. Costs range from $0 (DIY digital-only, difficult to attain professional-level quality unless you dedicate a lot of time to learning everything yourself and have a strong artistic aptitude) to $15,000+ (full professional production). Most authors invest $4,000-$8,000 for quality results. We can show you how to publish a children’s book on Amazon KDP with $0 upfront, but you’ll still need editing and illustration.
Do I need an illustrator for my children’s book?
For picture books, yes. Professional illustrations are essential for children’s picture books. For chapter books or middle-grade novels, illustrations are optional but can enhance the reading experience.
Self-publish vs. traditional vs hybrid: How to publish a children’s book in the best way for me?
It depends on your priorities. Choose traditional publishing if you want to be hands-off and don’t mind sharing rights/royalties. Choose self-publishing or author-first models if you want creative control and higher earnings, and have a budget to spend up-front.
How long does it take to publish a children’s book?
Traditional publishing: 2-4 years from acceptance to publication. Self-publishing: 3 months to 3 years—yes, it’s a very wide range. It all depends on your timeline, resources, and commitment to quality standards. Author-first publishing: 6-12 months with professional support.
Can I publish on Amazon without giving up my rights?
Absolutely. Self-publishing through Amazon KDP means you retain all rights to your work. You’re simply using Amazon as a distribution platform, not transferring ownership.
What’s the difference between hybrid and author-first publishing?
Hybrid publishers typically take some rights and/or ongoing royalties. Author-first publishers like Garden Wolf let you keep 100% of your rights and royalties: you pay for services upfront, but own the final product and all revenue from sales forever.
How do I market a children’s book effectively?
Start with your professional network. Mission-driven professionals have built-in audiences through their work. Combine this with social media, local bookstore events, school visits, and building relationships with librarians and educators.
How to Publish a Children’s Book: Your Free Publishing Workbook
Ready to get organized? Download our comprehensive Children’s Book Publishing Planning Workbook: your step-by-step companion as you learn how to publish a children’s book and transform your manuscript into a published book that makes a difference.
Download our Children’s Publishing Planning Workbook
A comprehensive guide designed for purpose-driven and helping professionals who want to
transform their expertise into engaging social-emotional learning picture books for kids.
This workbook provides structured tools to help you clarify your purpose, develop relatable characters, plan your narrative structure, and incorporate effective SEL strategies that resonate with young readers.
Ready to learn how to publish a children’s book and bring your vision to life?
If you’re a mission-driven professional who wants to learn how to publish a children’s book that makes a real impact, while keeping 100% of your rights and creative control, we’d love to help you make it happen.
Schedule your free publishing consultation and let’s explore how Garden Wolf Publishing can support your journey from manuscript to published author.
Because the world needs more books written by the experts who truly understand children and families.