So you want to write a children's book?
First, congratulations! You are entering into the new world of becoming an author.
It's an even tighter-knit community for children's book authors!
Even though your manuscript is written, you want to ensure your book will withstand the test of time. Do your research, read the New York Times best-selling books, the award-winning books you see what is flying off the shelves. (Think Peter H. Reynolds, Dr. Seuss)
My favorite book by Peter H. Reynolds.
Research the cover, the illustrations, and the editors. Do you want watercolor or ProCreate (digital art) or colored pencils? Researching different methods of illustration will help you choose your illustrator.
When creating a dope children's book, you must have a dope story.
A story needs characters/subjects, a story arc, a buildup, a plot, a climax, and a resolution. Most stories end with the character resolving the issue.
I highly recommend taking a few free classes at The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Register to become a member. In addition, this society offers webinars to its members. ($65-$85/ a year) scbwi.org
If you have a story written, I highly recommend getting it copyrighted through the Us Copyright Office. www.copyright.gov ($65/work)
Coaching/Editing
Once you have solidified your manuscript, hiring an editor is time. An editor should be familiar with children's books and their purpose. ($150-$350 based on how many words, prices vary) Hire on Reedsy.com or Upwork.com - I hired mine through a referral from my author coach - April Cox -
https://www.selfpubmadesimple.com
My editor does an editorial assessment and defines the story's theme, and nails down the characters and their roles in the story.
Once we have a solid idea, she will edit the manuscript. We will go back and forth a few times to ensure I like the story and it makes sense.
After finalizing the manuscript, I share it with a few beta readers. These are readers that will enjoy the book (youth). Seek out friends who have children in the age range of your book. Also, share with older students to understand if the story makes sense.
I shared the book with friends who had younger children.
The Book
Simultaneously, I develop the characters, what they will wear, and what scenes are on each page. Finally, I will create a book dummy/storyboard.
A storyboard is a presentation of the story; it should include an example of scenes and what is in the background. Creating a book dummy gives you a rough idea of what the feel of the book will look like. https://www.lizzyrockwell.com/what-is-the-book-dummy
Here I am story boarding and putting together my book dummy.
Illustrations
Illustrators should be able to provide a timeline/sample of work. This sample should cost between $25-$50. It should be a scene in your book/character development. Here are questions you can ask illustrators before hiring them:
I want to make a work-for-hire contract, does that work for you?
How often do you communicate with the client?
How do you communicate with clients?
Do you offer samples? How much are they?
Do you do character design/storyboarding before illustrations?
What is your typical turnaround time?
Once you enter into a contract agreement (seek legal review before signing), illustrations should include sketches, line art, coloring, and final files. Each item is a phase in the illustration process and should be agreed upon before moving forward. I highly recommend completing the manuscript before starting the illustration process. I had a mistake in my book due to me tweaking the manuscript at the last minute. Don't be like me!
Market the Book
As you are editing/completing illustrations, you should market the book. I recommend selling the book at least six months in advance. So the audience has time to get excited about the book and what's to come.
To publish the book, you will need a Library of Congress Control Number - LCCN (Loc.gov) and an ISBN (bowker.com)
You will also need to purchase a CIP block to ensure your book is available for libraries and databases: https://cipblock.com.
Once people are excited, it's time to hit publish! And share your book around the world.
