If you’re one of the hundreds of people who want to write a children’s book, these seven tips can help you turn your dream into reality.
This year, the children’s literature industry is worth $1.9 billion. Do you have a story idea that kids will love? Writing a children’s book will enhance their education and will inspire them to be better people.
But writing a children’s book is more difficult than you would expect.
Do you want to write a children’s book? Here are 7 tips to write your book in less than 30 days.
- Don’t Expect to Become Rich
At the very least, don’t expect to make a lot of money immediately. While the children’s book industry is worth a lot of money, the market is saturated with many talented authors and illustrators.
What if you want to write more books? The money you make from your existing books will go toward your new books. These fees include cover design, artist fees, editor fees, and even buying ISBN numbers.
If you want to become a full-time children’s book writer, you must invest time and money before you can make it your living.
- Know Why You Want to Write Children’s Books
Referring to the previous point, why would anyone still want to write children’s books? There’s a reason why every children’s book writer pursues their craft. Identify the reason why you want to write children’s books.
Many authors want to make an impact on a child’s life. For some writers, the creativity and difficulty of writing children’s books are enticing. Others just have a passion for writing and love a child-friendly writing medium.
- Learn Everything You Can About Children
Do you love kids? Great! Writing for children will come easy to you. In order to successfully write a children’s book, you must know a lot about children. Know how they talk, how they learn, and what does and doesn’t entice children.
Spending time with children is the best learning experience. It’s also recommended you research the professional side of children’s literature.
Read articles and visit children’s writing organizations. Start reading more children’s books from other authors. Attend children’s writing workshops and conventions. You should also have a network of other children’s writers.
- Read Children’s Books
This point was mentioned in the previous section, but it should be emphasized. If you don’t follow any of the previous advice, at least stock your bookshelf (or Kindle) with children’s books.
Reading successful children’s literature from other authors will educate you on children’s writing styles and the language that entices children.
It’s also essential you read books that target your desired age range. For example, if you’re writing for middle school-aged youth, you’ll want to avoid books written for babies.
If there are additional elements you want to include in your books, such as pictures, you’ll want to read books with these elements. Let’s look at the illustration example again.
Reading books with illustrations will help you identify children’s art styles and will give you a visual inspiration for your next book.
- Know If You Want a Publisher or You Want to Self-Publish
The modern author has two main publication choices: self-publish or a professional publisher.
Self-publishing is the easiest choice — it’s affordable and platforms such as KDP (owned by Amazon) make publishing easy, even for first-time authors.
While it’s worth finding an agent or publisher early in your career, you’ll more than likely have to be a self-published children’s author before you can gain support from a publisher. This guide explains the best practices for both options.
Are you still unsure? Research other authors and discover how they’re published. Reach out to other writer colleagues and get their advice.
- Learn How to Get Published
When you decide the best publication method, you should know how to get your book out to the masses.
If you decide to find an agent first (or later in your career), research different agents in the children’s lit market. Write a query letter to them and submit your manuscript based on their guidelines.
If you decide to self-publish, look into the myriad of self-publishing platforms. When you choose one you like, follow their submission guidelines.
Keep in mind, if you’re self-published, you’ll want to format the book yourself. You’ll also have to design the book cover and the art yourself unless you seek help from a book designer.
- Be a Professional
Once you start writing more children’s books, it’s essential you establish yourself as a professional children’s author. Promote your book. Introduce yourself as an author.
Connect with other writers and industry personnel on social media. Flood your social media with your books as well as news in the children’s lit world.
Attend industry events and conferences to promote your book and make more connections.
You will establish yourself as a professional, whether you’re self-published or you have a publisher.
Write a Children’s Book Today
Do you want to write a children’s book? Children need unique and fun books that provide a wonderful learning experience.
The hardest part about writing is writing — start on that children’s book you have developing in your brain.
Writing a children’s book isn’t as difficult or time-consuming as you would expect. Follow these tips to reach children’s literature success in less than a month!
For more children’s education news and tips, continue reading our blog.
