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I Want to Self-Publish a Children’s Book: Now What?


A guide to helping you through your first journey in self-published children’s literature

 

girl reading

You can make a real income by self-publishing children’s books on Amazon KDP, but it’s not a get rich quick scheme. It takes a lot of work to make money self-publishing, especially in today’s booming market. We’ve compiled some crucial steps here in helping you get published fast!


1) Find an idea.

Great ideas for children’s books are all around you! You’ll find that writing great children’s content is easier the more you let your mind go. Kids just don’t see the world the same way we do. It may be just a toaster for you, but for an imaginative kid, it could be Mr. Toaster out to save the day. Let your mind wander and find something that makes your own heart squeal with childish delight. Silly? Outlandish? Bizarre? All the better in the end. Children love unique content and they can tell when you’re trying to play it safe.


2) Sketch it out.

Some publishers like to sketch out their ideas. Having an artistic representation of your concept is a great way to visualize the finished product you’ll be creating. Try out your designs on pen and paper first and then move them over to a digital interface. To self-publish you’ll eventually need digitized images for your manuscript. No need for perfection here either, remember sometimes what inspires children the most are the unique and novel concepts. Don’t be afraid to showcase your own art style.


3) Hire a ghostwriter.

High quality children’s book content is simply worth the investment. Tried and true writers will nearly guarantee that your concept is successful. Writing a children’s book is a special art. Frequently a professional will use strategies such as rhyming or a sing-songy cadence to engage kids. They’ll also be able to make sure your publication is tailored to the age range you want. By hiring a ghostwriter, you can be sure that you’ll still have your name on your final published piece, but also guarantee that your work will help you make money on Amazon KDP. Self-publishing children’s books is no easy feat and you deserve support on your journey.


4) Format it for publishing.

Formatting a book for Amazon KDP can be a tedious process, but once you learn how to do it, you’ll quickly find yourself able to recreate the magic whenever you need. There are plenty of free or low paid tools online to help you publish to amazon. Any software that lets you upload a PDF will work for your final project. Be sure to plan for what size of book you want to create as you go to avoid any unnecessary last-minute adjustments when you get ready to upload.


5) Publish and promote.

Once you upload, take a pause to celebrate that you’ve finally done it! You’re a published children’s book author. After this part is done, don’t stop there. The books that perform best on Amazon KDP are those that engage their audience. Try reaching out to those you know on social media or create a detailed author profile page. If your idea works, consider creating a series so that you can make money self-publishing a wider array of books and develop your own fanbase.


And there you have it! 5 easy steps to get you started on your journey. Self-publishing children’s books on Amazon KDP is the way to go if you want to stretch your creative muscles and make money doing it!


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Great for anyone planning to self publish children's books/books for kids via platforms like KDP.

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