How do I turn a children’s book idea into a bestselling reality?

As an illustrator of 60+ published books, I’ve helped hundreds of authors navigate this journey.

This guide answers your top questions:

• 🖌️ How do I find an illustrator who gets my vision?
• 📚 What’s the cheapest way to self-publish a children’s book?
• 📱 How can I market my book in 2 hours/week?

Free Resource: Download my Self-Publishing Toolkit (checklist + templates)

Key Takeaways

✅ Invest in Pro Art: Covers sell books—view my portfolio.

✅ Start Small: Use KDP + organic social to test your market.

✅ Hype Early: Build email lists 3+ months pre-launch.

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Introduction
3. Self-Publishing a Children’s Book
   • Preparing Your Manuscript
   • Formatting and Design
   • How to Hire an Illustrator
   • Choosing Printing Options
4. Marketing a Children’s Book
   • Building Your Author Brand
   • Social Media and Content Marketing
   • Book Reviews and Promotional Strategies
   • Email Marketing and Paid Ads
   • Leverage Paid Ads That Work
5. FAQs: Common Questions Answered
6. How I Can Help

Introduction

If you’re wondering, “How do I self-publish a children’s book?”, “Where can I find the right illustrator for my book?” or “What is the best way to market a children’s book?”, you’re in the right place.

This guide breaks down the process step by step—from preparing your manuscript to hiring an illustrator and launching your marketing campaign.

Part – I

Self-Publishing a Children’s Book: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap

Self-publishing a children’s book involves several key steps. Here’s what you need to know:

• Manuscript Prep: Beyond Spellcheck

• Beta Test with Your Audience

Share your story with parents and teachers (not just writers!). They’ll spot age-inappropriate language or pacing issues.

One of our author told me once that a beta reader noted that the dragon character’s fiery breath scared 4-year-olds—so we softened the sketch.

Example:

• Parents spot pacing issues (“Why does the bunny cry on page 3?”).
• Teachers flag vocabulary mismatches (“4-year-olds won’t understand ‘melancholy’!”).

• Edit and Revise:
  • Ensure your manuscript is error-free.
  • Consider professional editing for clarity and flow.

Formatting & Design: Avoid Costly Mistakes

• Page Count Rules:

Print books must have 24, 32, or 40 pages (printers use folded sheets).

• Fonts That Work:

Avoid script fonts—choose clear, bold options instead. We don’t recommend a specific font, as it ultimately depends on personal preference.

• Bleed & Margins:
  • Always add 0.125″ bleed. Download my print-ready template.

• Book Formatting:
  • Format your manuscript for print and digital platforms.
  • Use proper margins, font sizes, and layouts.
• Cover and Interior Design:
  • Invest in a professionally designed cover.
  • Create engaging, kid-friendly interior layouts.

How to Hire an Illustrator (Without Regrets)

As a seasoned illustrator, a vital part of self-publishing a children’s book is finding the right illustrator. Here’s how:

Step 1: Define Your Style

Browse genres:

• • Whimsical (Julia Donaldson).
  • Minimalist (Eric Carle).
  • Modern (Oliver Jeffers).
• Pro Tip: Take my 2-minute “Art Style Quiz”.

Step 2: Research Portfolios:

• Look for artists who specialize in children’s book illustration. Here’s a link to my portfolio.
• Use platforms such as Instagram, Behance, and LinkedIn to find candidates.
• Always check the artist’s published books on Amazon or other book-selling platforms, and verify their experience by reaching out to authors who have worked with them.

Step 3: Check Reviews and  Recommendations:

• Ask for referrals from other authors.
• You can also check Amazon reviews to see if readers appreciate the illustrations in the book.
• Read testimonials to gauge the illustrator’s reliability, and check social media for comments on their work.

Step 4: Negotiate Rights

• Always retain copyright for merch/future editions.
• Request Samples.
• Ask for custom sketches to ensure the style fits your vision.

I’ve written a detailed blog post on hiring an illustrator. You can read it here.

Choosing Printing Options: POD vs. Traditional

Option	Pros	Cons
Amazon KDP	$0 upfront, global distribution	Low royalty rates
IngramSpark	Wider bookstore access	$49 setup fee per book
Offset Printing	Cheaper per unit (500+ copies)	High upfront cost
Digital Printing	Low inventory, as low as 1 book. *	High cost per book

*At ePublishingeXperts, we print as few as 50 books up to several thousand. Feel free to connect if you prefer not to print a large inventory initially or want to test your book in the market before making a big investment.

My Recommendation: Start with KDP, then scale to offset for sequels.

Marketing Your Children’s Book: Budget-Friendly Strategies

Marketing is essential to get your book noticed. Here’s how to effectively market a children’s book:

Build Your Author Brand

1. 1. Create an Author Website:
      • Showcase your book, biography, and contact information.
   2. Website Essentials
      • A homepage that showcases your book cover and target age group.
      • A “Media Kit” with high-res images and your bio.
   3. Social Media Presence:
      • Build profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
      • Share behind-the-scenes content and book updates.
        • Expert Tip:
          • Pinterest: Create “Coloring Pages” from your illustrations (parents love these!).
          • Instagram Reels: Film a “How I Made My Book” timelapse.

Social Media and Content Marketing

1.  Content Creation:
   • Share tips on writing, illustrating, and self-publishing.
   • Start a blog or vlog about your publishing journey.
2. Engage Your Audience:
   • Use images, videos, and stories to capture attention.

Book Reviews and Promotional Strategies

1. Gather Reviews:
   • Reach out to bloggers and reviewers.
   • Encourage readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
2. Run Promotions:
   • Offer giveaways or discount codes.
   • Collaborate with influencers in the children’s book community.

Email Marketing and Paid Ads

1. Build an Email List:
   • Offer freebies (e.g., a sample chapter) in exchange for email sign-ups.
2. Targeted Advertising:
   • Use Facebook and Instagram ads to reach your target audience.
3. Monitor Results:
   • Track engagement and adjust your strategies as needed.

Launch a Pre-Order Campaign : Book Launch Strategies

1. Offer Incentives:
   • Free signed bookplates for early buyers.
   • “Bundle” deals (book + plush toy of your character).
2. Collaborate:Partner with parenting bloggers for giveaways.

Leverage Paid Ads That Work: Facebook Ads for Children’s Books

1. Target:
   • Parents aged 28–45 interested in Pete the Cat or Dr. Seuss.
   • Teachers and homeschool groups.
2. Creative: Use your cover art and a hook like “The New Bedtime Favorite for Dragon Lovers!”

FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered

1.  How do I self-publish a children’s book?
   • Follow the steps in this guide—from manuscript preparation and formatting to hiring an illustrator and choosing printing options.
2. What are the benefits of hiring an illustrator?
   • professional illustrator creates custom, engaging artwork that adds a personal touch and sets your book apart.
3. How much does it cost to self-publish a children’s book?
   • Illustration: To give you a better idea, most picture books typically have 12 to 20 full-page illustrations or 24 to 32 spreads if they are fully illustrated. If your book has fewer words per page, you may need more illustrations, while text-heavy books may require fewer.I charge on a per page basis. To share a firm quote, please feel free to message me your requirements.
   • Editing/Formatting: $500–$2,000.
   • Marketing: $200+/month.
4. Can I use AI illustrations?
   • Not recommended—publishers and kids prefer hand-drawn charm.
5. Can I self-publish for free?
   • Yes, but…
     • Use Canva for basic formatting.
     • Trade editing services with a writer friend.
     • Warning: DIY illustrations often look unprofessional.
6. How can I market my children’s book?
   • Build your brand with a website and social media, gather reviews, run promotions, and use targeted advertising.
7. Who can help me with self-publishing?
   • At ePublishingeXperts, we provide comprehensive self-publishing support, including professional illustration services by Gaurav Bhatnagar.

How I Can Help You Succeed

As both an illustrator and self-publishing author, I offer:

• Custom Illustrations:From sketch to print-ready files.
• Formatting Services:Ensure your book meets retailer guidelines.
• Printing (Hardcover and Paperback): As low as 50 copies help you with low upfront cost and inventory.
• Social Media Suite: Graphics, video trailers, and customized captions.

View my work on Amazon and see how we can bring your book to life.