Successfully writing a children’s book is a delicate and specialized form of art that usually confuses first-time authors. The point of failure for most is often simple: they usually forget they are writing for two distinct audiences simultaneously.
These books need to be engaging, imaginative, and appropriate for younger audiences, i.e., children. They also need to be appealing aesthetically and need to be bought over and over by adult gatekeepers (parents, librarians, teachers, caregivers, etc.). Solely keeping a focus on dazzling the kids just won’t work.
Where does the secret lie in terms of selling books to children?
The secret to successfully writing a children’s book and selling it is in mastering the dual appeal. Successful picture books usually convey a subtle moral or emotional lesson for parents, while early chapter books need to use controlled vocabulary and structured pacing to give young readers a sense of accomplishment.
Ignoring these structural and marketing demands means the manuscript won’t gain traction in a highly competitive market, irrespective of its cuteness.
How can the blog post help?
The blog post will reveal the strategies that bestselling authors of children’s books use. It will detail the specific requirements for word counts, the roles of design and illustrations, and the required essential thematic elements resonating with both children and adults. This ensures the book is not only published but also purchased repeatedly and loved unconditionally.
Understanding the audience is very important
The first step in creating a children’s book is not the idea. It is understanding the audience, irrespective of whether they are middle-grade or young. It is indeed important to consider who the audience is. Authors need to be hyper-aware of the backgrounds of young readers and how they can understand the story.
Tips for Writing a Children’s Book
The obvious pieces of advice in this area have usually been repeated many times, but it is definitely worth the time and money. They are as under:
- Understanding the target demographic.
- Narrowing down the book category.
- Understanding the children’s book market.
Though this may feel like three separate pieces of advice, they boil down to one important idea: follow the recommended format.
Writers can make mistakes, break the rules and push boundaries, all at the same time. They also want their work to be seen, and the way they can make their living with their writing. This is why they want their works to be published right on time. A children’s book must meet the publisher’s expectations.
There are three key reasons publicastions have stringent requirements:
- Logistical needs.
- Marketing requirements.
- Traditional criteria to be fulfilled.
Understanding the children’s book market
One of the most common mistakes authors must avoid when working on their first children’s book is not understanding the age group the book is aimed at. It is important to understand this factor because not only does it affect what is written, but also how it is written, especially the following:
- The story’s themes.
- Use of language.
- The plot’s complexity.
- Stories’ quality and the length of chapters.
- Age of key characters.
Writing the first draft and gathering feedback
To write and self-publish a children’s book, authors must follow the same principles of storytelling as in other books and genres (like adult fiction, but with a different tone and context). Keeping the audience in mind, authors will need the following:
- A compelling story premise.
- Relatable characters (even if they are flawed).
- A central goal or challenge (external or internal).
- Any setbacks along the way (external or internal).
- A satisfying resolution
- The characters are changing, growing, or both.
Choosing the right publishing method
Print on demand, access to more sophisticated and cost-effective formatting tools, along with teams of experienced and freelance creatives, have accelerated professionalism in the world of both traditional and self-publishing over the last 10 years. They are no longer viewed as vanity publishing. Hence, there are two methods today: traditional and self-publishing.
Traditional publishing
Traditional publishing offers validation and also provides good access to high street bookshops in some instances. However, it is highly competitive, slow-moving, and offers authors limited creative control.
Even if authors get a good deal after months or years, the royalties on printed books are often just 7.5% of the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) or less than what the books are sold in bulk at a discount.
Self-publishing
Self-publishing gives authors more creative control. It also gives them the freedom to publish whenever they want and gives them higher earnings per sale. Those earnings are typically between 25 and 75 percent of the RRP for print books, and this depends on the way they sell them.
Hiring a professional children’s editor
Assuming the manuscript is ready and tested, and the authors plan to self-publish it, the next step is working with an editor experienced in children’s books. Writing a children’s book can be a fun process to help children learn about things and the like.
A very good editor who has worked on children’s books not only gives the needed feedback to authors but also teaches them more tricks of the trade. They will give authors valuable insights, knowledge, and tips to ensure the book they have written is an excellent one.
Collaborating with an illustrator
The illustrator is the storytelling partner in picture books. Authors will hence look for a professional who has a unique style that matches the tone and emotional arc of the text. Hopefully, the early research will help here for sure. The same is true for the illustration styles of chapter books.
Trim sizes vary slightly between the American and British markets. It is still wise for authors to stick with one size for both markets. It will result in the books requiring separate ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers).
Similarly, if authors are using more than one printer (like most authors), then they must ensure the trim size they choose is available for all of them.
Printing and distributing the book
In terms of obtaining their own ISBN barcodes, authors can obtain them from Nielsen UK for the British market. Each country has its own ISBN store. Canada and New Zealand offer them without cost. Authors can search online to find theirs.
However, authors need to be wary of accepting free ISBNs offered by distributors. It makes them the publisher of record instead of the author.
If authors want to distribute the book on Amazon, then they can use KDP Print for sales on Amazon globally. They can opt out of expanded distribution, as it pays lower royalties than Amazon sales.
Print on demand is not the only option for distribution. Offset printing services require larger minimum orders. Yet the price per unit is quite low. They also offer a wide range of paper stocks, finishes, and special features. Those who are planning to print in larger quantities or want premium quality can go for offset printing. It is cost-effective in this regard.
Marketing the book strategically
Marketing is the area where a lot of authors stumble and struggle. Yet they want their book to succeed.
Face-to-face events can give authors the chance to ask parents and teachers to help their children leave reviews online. Even if the book was sold via Amazon, the algorithms can work slowly. Then again, authors should follow data protection rules to protect the information of their readers.
Over to You
These are the secrets to effectively writing a children’s book and then marketing it. Children’s books require more care in writing, editing, formatting, composing, and publishing. Once all processes are done properly, then things will definitely go smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the most critical element of a picture book?
A: Word Count. Picture books must be concise, typically staying under 500 words, to leave room for the illustrations to tell half the story.
Q: Should I hire the illustrator myself?
A: No, generally not. If submitting to traditional publishers, they prefer to choose the illustrator to match their vision and budget.
Q: What themes sell best to the adult audience?
A: Emotional development and social-emotional learning. Books that help parents teach resilience, empathy, or kindness are consistently strong sellers.
Q: How do I ensure my story is “read-aloud” friendly?
A: Focus on rhythm, rhyme (used sparingly), and varied pacing. Read your manuscript aloud repeatedly to identify tongue-twisters or boring sections.
Q: Can you make money writing a children’s book?
A: Yes indeed. Authors can make money by self-publishing children’s books on Amazon, IngramSpark and other self-publishing platforms. They can also do it via traditional means,