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How to Self Publish a Children’s Book (or any book)
- Erin MacNab
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 24
“Your story doesn’t need permission—it just needs a place to land.”
If you’ve got a children’s book in your heart (or any book at all), you don’t have to wait for a publisher to say yes. Thanks to self-publishing, you can bring your story to life on your terms—with total creative control and real revenue potential.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to self publish a children's book (or any book!) step-by-step, with special attention to children’s authors, visual storytelling, and even AI support tools to help you along the way.
Key Takeaways
📚 You can self-publish a children’s book affordably and on your own timeline
🤖 AI can help you write and format without replacing your voice
🚩 Avoid vanity presses—look for author-first publishing platforms
💸 Self-publishing costs can be flexible depending on your choices
🌍 Your book can be the beginning of a creative, portable business
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Book’s Message + Audience
Children’s books may look simple—but every word matters. Start by asking:
What age range are you writing for? (Picture books? Early readers?)
What theme or message will the child and adult resonate with?
Is it whimsical? Rhyming? Serious? Silly? Educational?
💡 Tip: Read a handful of current children’s books in your category and take notes on length, layout, tone, and style.
Step 2: Write the Manuscript (AI Can Help!)
If you’re stuck staring at the page or unsure how to begin, you might be surprised to learn that AI can support your writing process—without stealing the soul of your story.
Tools for Writing a Children's Book Using AI:
ChatGPT – Outline your story, brainstorm plot twists, generate rhyming lines, or write page-by-page text based on your prompt
Sudowrite – Great for tone matching and reworking clunky paragraphs
Canva’s AI Story Generator – For visual inspiration alongside storytelling
✨ Want to dive deeper? Check out this full post on how to write a children’s book using AI.
Just remember: AI is your co-writer, not your replacement. You bring the imagination—AI brings the structure.
Step 3: Plan the Visuals
Children’s books are visual experiences. Depending on your medium, you can:
Work with a professional illustrator
Use AI art tools like MidJourney or DALL·E for inspiration/mockups
Hire a freelancer on Fiverr or Reedsy
Or create simple, beautiful layouts in Canva or BookBrush
Pro tip:
Use a 32-page picture book layout template if you're targeting kids ages 3–7. It’s the industry standard.
Step 4: How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book?
Short answer: You can spend anywhere from $50 to $5,000+
Realistic breakdown for budget-minded authors:
Item | Cost Range |
ISBN (optional) | $0–125 (free via KDP) |
Cover design | $30–300 |
Interior formatting | Free (Canva/Word) – $100+ |
Editing (optional) | $100–500 |
Illustrations (children’s book) | $300–2,000 |
Publishing platform fees | Usually $0 upfront (royalty share) |
You can self-publish affordably—especially if you DIY your layout or use AI tools to offset upfront costs.
Self Publishing Companies to Avoid
Not all “self-publishing” services are created equal. Some companies charge thousands for things you can do yourself, and then take a chunk of your royalties.
Be cautious of:
Vanity presses that require you to purchase 500+ copies up front
Companies that lock you into long-term contracts
High-priced “package deals” that include vague “marketing services”
Red flags:
No clear pricing
Vague royalty structure
Lots of upselling with little control
Instead, go with trusted platforms where you keep the rights and profits.
Best Self-Publishing Companies to Use
Here are a few platforms that are author-friendly and cost-effective:
Pros: Free to use, massive reach, prints on demand
Good for: Paperback + Kindle books
Children’s books: Use KDP Kids Book Creator
Pros: High-quality printing, beautiful formatting tools, and integrates directly with Amazon and Ingram (without the hassle)
Good for: Children’s books, art books, photo books, and highly visual layouts
Why it's great: You can create your book using their easy drag-and-drop BookWright software, then publish as a hardcover, paperback, or ebook.
💡 Blurb gives you full creative control with quality output—and no weird contracts or steep fees.
Draft2Digital (D2D)
Pros: User-friendly interface, free formatting tools, and excellent customer support.
Distribution: Distributes to major retailers like Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more.
Pricing: No upfront costs; D2D takes a 10% commission on the retail price per copy sold.
Why it's great: D2D handles the technical aspects of publishing, allowing you to focus on writing. It's particularly beneficial for authors looking to distribute their work widely without the complexities of managing multiple retailer accounts.
Pros: Easier formatting tools
Better for: Beginners who want more guidance
Watch for: Added costs on distribution or printing
Pros: Simple setup, instant digital delivery, you keep 90%+ of sales
Good for: Selling PDF or ePub versions of your book directly to readers
Why it’s great: No algorithms, no gatekeepers—you can link directly from Pinterest, Instagram, or your website and start making sales immediately.
💡 Perfect for authors building a creative business or offering bonus downloads like activity sheets or journals.
Bonus: Turn Your Book Into a Portable Business - how to self publish a children's book (or any book)
Publishing a children’s book isn’t just a creative milestone—it can also open doors to remote income opportunities.
From digital nomad jobs for beginners to creative passive income, your book can:
Be sold as print, ebook, and audio
Be bundled with worksheets, coloring pages, or lessons
Be read aloud on YouTube or used in workshops
Travel with you—wherever you go
Books make beautiful business foundations.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a publisher’s approval to share your story with the world. You need courage, creativity, and the willingness to learn as you go.
Self-publishing a children’s book (or any book!) puts the power in your hands—and gives your story the chance to grow wings.
So go ahead. Write it. Format it. Print it. Share it. There’s a little reader out there waiting for your words.
Inside, you’ll find:
A simple, flexible business plan template
A budgeting spreadsheet to help you track your startup expenses
A social content calendar with post ideas + prompts
A curated list of free + affordable tools for building your business
A branding checklist to help you get visible with style
A quick-start guide to using AI as your creative assistant
A mindset + motivation page to keep your energy aligned with your vision
This isn’t just a starter kit—it’s a launch pad. Download it, print it, scribble on it, live in it. It’s yours.
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