Children’s Book Self Publishing Lets You Have It Your Way
There are many benefits of self-publishing a children’s book as opposed to using a traditional publisher. The self-publishing route, in general, has increasingly become a top choice among authors wishing to be published. The main benefit is the control the author has over almost all of the steps involved. Children’s self publishing – whether it’s board books, picture books, middle-grade or young adult – is a fast-growing and exciting industry.
Kids who enjoy reading devour books like candy. Once they have read one, they are eager for the next. Especially if it is in a series they’re obsessed with or by an author they have come to adore. To engage reluctant readers or children who find reading difficult, stories might be humorously obnoxious or focus on a goofy character they can laugh at or identify with. Children also read to learn things, like counting, taking care of pets, or making slime. There are countless genres in which to write a children’s book – mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction, and so on. If you are interested in publishing a children’s book, consider children’s book self publishing.
With children’s book self publishing, you are in charge of the content, length, characters, illustrations, cover, sales, and marketing, and whether you want e-books, print books, or both. Of course, there are guidelines for age appropriateness, such as vocabulary and subject matter.
Children’s self publishing companies are able to provide services that traditional publishers cannot. For one thing, the process is faster. It might take a year or more to get published by a traditional publishing house. Also, most require an author go through an agent. Then there is no guarantee your manuscript will even be accepted. With children’s self publishing, you know you will get your book published, and in a matter of weeks, if not sooner. If you sign a book deal with a traditional publisher, you are bound to their rules. An editor at a traditional publishing house might insist you change a character’s name or parts of your plot. With self-publishing, you decide on the category your children’s book will fall in. Suppose you want to market your book as a mystery. A traditional publisher might feel it fits more in the fantasy category. With self-publishing, you get your way.
Children’s self publishing companies have many of the same benefits as traditional publishing companies. They can offer packages that include proofreading, editing, marketing, and sales. The best part is, when your book is self-published, you keep 100% of the profits. To be clear, if your book is published on a marketplace such as Amazon, Amazon will receive a percentage of sales, but there will be more money in your pocket since you don’t have to share with a traditional publisher. Traditional publishers have a team that makes sure your book is punctuated properly and looks nice, but children’s self publishing companies also provide excellent proofing, editing, and manuscript direction if you so desire. Your book will turn out as polished and professionally formatted as a traditionally published book.
It’s a good idea to research self-publishing companies and check out their website for children’s books they have published. You may have already written the book yourself and need only light editing, but perhaps need marketing and sales help. Or the self-publishing company can ghostwrite the entire book for you. You will need to provide an outline, but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can have an idea for your book, and an experienced writer will flesh it out. When they know what you want, and you are satisfied that your ideas have been captured, they will work with you, keeping you in the loop on every step of the process until you’re satisfied and proud to have your name on the finished product. And rest assured, it will be your name on the book; the rights are fully yours.
Depending on the sales package you choose, you can have an author website created, distribution to online and physical stores, and a practical marketing plan. The children’s self publishing route may just be the right choice for you in terms of control, speed to market, and keeping more of the royalties.
