How to make your children’s book a reality

Congratulations on bringing your children's book to life! It's a remarkable achievement that truly deserves recognition. Crafting a story from your imagination takes dedication and creativity, and you've poured countless hours, days, weeks, and even years into perfecting it. Now that you have your manuscript in hand, the next step is to turn it into a tangible reality, but how do you make that happen?

First and foremost, take a moment to celebrate your accomplishment. You've transformed your ideas into words ready to be shared with the world, and that's no small feat. But the journey doesn't end here. To bring your story to a wider audience, you'll need to decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing.

Whichever path you choose, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Whether it's navigating the traditional publishing process or guiding you through the intricacies of self-publishing, I'm committed to helping you make your children's book dreams a reality. Together, we'll work to create a polished, professional product that you can proudly share with readers everywhere.

What do do after you've written a children’s book manuscript

After writing a children's book manuscript, the next steps involve preparing the manuscript for publication, deciding on the publishing route, and marketing the book. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Revise and Edit the Manuscript

  • Self-Editing: Go through your manuscript to check for grammar, punctuation, consistency, and flow.

  • Beta Readers: Get feedback from a group of readers who can provide constructive criticism.

  • Professional Editing: Consider hiring a professional editor who specialises in children's books to ensure the manuscript is polished.

2. Illustrations

  • Hiring an Illustrator: If your book needs illustrations, find an illustrator. Look for someone whose style matches your story.

  • Illustration Agreements: Make sure to have a clear contract outlining the terms, deadlines, and rights related to the illustrations.

  • Illustration Process: Work closely with the illustrator to ensure the visuals align with your vision.

    (Please note: If you are going down the traditional publishing route you will not need to hire an illustrator before sending your manuscript. They will have illustrators they regularly use and will judge your manuscript on the writing alone.)

3. Format the Manuscript

  • Layout: Format your manuscript according to the requirements of publishers or self-publishing platforms.

  • Proofreading: Conduct a final proofread to catch any last-minute errors.

4. Decide on a Publishing Route

  • Traditional Publishing:

    • Research Publishers and Agents: Look for publishers or literary agents who specialise in children’s books.

    • Write a Query Letter: Draft a compelling query letter to pitch your book.

    • Submit Manuscript: Follow submission guidelines meticulously when sending out your manuscript.

    • Follow Up: Track your submissions and follow up if necessary.

  • Self-Publishing:

    • Choose a Platform: Decide where to self-publish your book (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.).

    • ISBN: Purchase an ISBN if needed (some platforms provide them for free).

    • Design the Cover: Create or hire someone to design a professional book cover.

    • Upload and Publish: Upload your formatted manuscript and cover, set the pricing, and publish.

5. Marketing and Promotion

  • Create a Marketing Plan: Outline strategies to reach your target audience.

  • Build an Online Presence: Establish a website and social media profiles for your book and author persona.

  • Book Launch: Plan a book launch event, which could be virtual or in-person.

  • Book Reviews: Send copies to bloggers, reviewers, and book influencers to get reviews.

  • School Visits and Readings: Arrange readings at schools, libraries, and bookstores.

  • Press Releases and Media: Write press releases and reach out to local media outlets for coverage.

6. Distribution

  • Distributors: If traditionally published, work with your publisher’s distribution network.

  • Retailers: For self-publishing, list your book on online retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, etc.).

  • Local Stores: Approach local bookstores and gift shops to carry your book.

7. Monitor Sales and Gather Feedback

  • Sales Tracking: Monitor your sales through the platform or publisher’s reporting tools.

  • Reader Feedback: Collect feedback from readers to understand what they enjoyed and what could be improved in future projects.

By following these steps, you can effectively transition your children's book manuscript from a draft to a published and well-marketed book.

If you need additional help and guidance please have a good look around this site and feel free to get in touch with any questions.