Turn your story into a beautiful, publish-ready children’s book
Professional illustration, layout and publishing guidance for first-time authors - from manuscript to finished book.
You’ve written the story. I’ll help you turn it into a book you’re proud to publish.
Written a children’s book… but not sure what happens next?
You might be wondering:
How many illustrations do I need?
What size should the book be?
How much does this actually cost?
How do I publish it on Amazon?
What if I choose the wrong illustrator?
That’s completely normal.
Most of my clients are first-time authors. They have a brilliant idea - but need someone experienced to guide them through the process.
That’s where I come in.
I don’t just illustrate. I guide.
I help new authors:
✔ Plan their page layout properly
✔ Develop memorable characters
✔ Create consistent, professional illustrations
✔ Format files for Amazon KDP or print
✔ Understand the publishing process
No overwhelm. No guesswork. No “I wish I’d known that earlier”.
You’ll always know what stage we’re at, what happens next, and what the investment is.
Your book journey
Manuscript review & planning
Editing advice, page layouts, illustration types and book size.
Character & style development
I create sample character concepts for approval.
Full illustration & layout
Double or single-page spreads, spot illustrations, cover design, text layout.
Print-ready files delivered
Print-ready files for KDP or your chosen printer.
Self-publishing & marketing guidance
Advice on ISBNs, uploads, pricing and launch strategy.
What other authors say…
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"Nathan guided me through every stage of the process, from a rough manuscript to a fully published book. As a first-time author, having someone who could explain the illustration, layout and publishing journey in plain English was invaluable. I genuinely couldn't have done it without him."
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"The illustrations were better than I could have hoped for, capturing the characters and story perfectly. What really helped was the additional support and advice around publishing and marketing, which helped me avoid mistakes and gave me the confidence to move forward with my book."
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"Nathan transformed my manuscript into something far beyond what I had imagined. The illustrations are beautiful, full of personality and perfectly suited to the story. His guidance throughout the project made what felt like an overwhelming process enjoyable and straightforward."
How much does it cost?
Every book is different. However, most fully illustrated 24-32 page children’s books typically range between:
£2,750 - £6,000 UK / $3,650 - $8,000 US
This depends on:
Page count
Illustration complexity
Cover design
Layout options
Formatting preferences
Marketing requirements
Written a children’s book?
Finished your manuscript but unsure what happens next?
Get The first-time children’s book author starter pack and feel confident about your next steps. Download and understand page counts, pricing, publishing options and what to avoid.
Make informed decisions from the start. Clear guidance. No overwhelm. No pressure.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, most of my clients are first-time authors.
I guide you through the entire process, from planning your pages to preparing files for print or Amazon KDP. You don’t need any publishing experience at all.
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Yes - I often provide feedback on pacing, pagination and flow as part of the planning stage.
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Every project is different, but most fully illustrated 24–32 page books typically range between £2,750 and £6,000 depending on complexity, page count and style.
Once I’ve reviewed your manuscript, I’ll provide a clear, tailored quote - no obligation.
Click here for more info on cost and click here for more info on pricing.
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Most books take between 8–16 weeks from planning to final files.
The timeline depends on illustration detail, revisions and how quickly feedback is provided. I’ll always give you a realistic schedule at the start.
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Yes - you retain the copyright to your story (not the illustrations).
Illustration usage rights are agreed clearly at the start of the project so everything is transparent. If you plan to expand into merchandise or other products, we can discuss extended licensing.
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Yes.
I provide print-ready files (which can be formatted specifically for Amazon KDP) and can guide you through the upload process, ISBN options and pricing setup.
Click here for more info on self-publsihsing and click here for
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Before any full illustration begins, we develop character concepts and style samples for approval.
This ensures we’re aligned early - so there are no surprises later in the project.
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Projects can be developed for any age group, and I can tweak the style to suit. I can advise on suitability and tone once I’ve read your manuscript.
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This depends on your page count and pacing.
A typical 32-page book might include 12-30 illustrations made up of:
Double-page spreads
Single-page spreads
Spot/vignette illustrations
A fully illustrated cover
I’ll advise you on the best structure during the planning stage.
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Most projects are split into staged payments across the project timeline.
This helps make the investment manageable while keeping the process moving smoothly.
I have been a professional illustrator for over 25 years, so feel free to talk to me, I am comfortable discussing any budgeting questions you have :)
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Simply send me your manuscript using the quote form.
I’ll review it and come back to you with:
Suggested structure
Illustration plan
Timeline
Clear pricing
No pressure - just clarity.
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Yes - and this is something many first-time authors ask about.
While my main focus is creating your book and preparing it for publication, I can guide you on:
Amazon KDP setup and optimisation
Choosing keywords and categories
Pricing strategy
Launch timing
Promotion ideas
Marketing materials
Whatever marketing support you need, I’ll do my best to help and advise.
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Yes.
As well as illustrating your book, I can design professional promotional assets to support your launch, including:
Amazon A+ Content graphics
Social media launch images
Website banners
Posters and bookmarks
School visit materials
Pull-up banners
Press kit visuals
Websites
And much more
This ensures your branding stays consistent and professional across every platform.
We can discuss what you need at the start of your joureny or at any time during the process.
Ready to start your children’s book?
Let’s bring YOUR story to life.
Manuscript Confidentiality - Any manuscript you send will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of reviewing your project and discussing illustration options. You retain full copyright of your work at all times. Your manuscript will never be shared with third parties without your permission.