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# How to Release Your Self-Illustrated Picture Book

## 1. Finalize Your Manuscript Most picture storybooks measure fewer than 500 words and have 32 pages. Write precisely, read as you go and see how children react to your story. Each story page should have something unexpected for its reader. Keep in mind that illustrations can communicate parts of the story that the text does not.

## 2. Create a Dummy and Storyboard Prepare preliminary sketches for all 32 pages and then create a dummy version of the book to see how pacing and arrangement of text are working. Remember to leave enough space for horizontal sections because this part is going to hide some information.

## 3. Choose Your Publishing Form **Traditional publishing:** Typically, writers submit a manuscript together with samples of illustrations as well as a dummy version of a book. In this case, it is necessary to find out about agents or publishers, who do accept proposals and follow their rules closely. Be ready for a long waiting period and a lot of refusals. A wonderful source of different information about the market is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

**Self-publishing:** In this case, you can remain creator of your book and have more royalties. Though at the same time, you will have a lot of work to do in terms of publishing your book.

## 4. Prepare Your Artwork (Self-Publishing) Use 300 DPI or higher and CMYK. Take into account that 0.125 bleeds are supposed to surround each sheet. Define the size of the book you want to create with such common formats as 8.5 x 8.5 inches or 8 x 10.

## 5. Manage the Details - **Editing:** Find a children's book editor or exchange ideas with other authors. - **Typography:** Use fonts suitable for kids and with good contrast. - **ISBN:** Buy the ISBN from Bowker so that you are listed as the one who publishes the book. - **Copyright:** Register your work at the U.S. Copyright Office.

## 6. Find a Printing Service Print-on-demand services such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark do not require you to pay in advance and provide you with much provision. If you need something of higher quality or if looking for mass production you can consider offset printing, which is cheaper when the quantity is larger. Always request for a proof version and check on the color.

## 7. Advertise Your Book Set up a website and contact list before your release. Find schools and libraries willing to organize classes or visits for you. Encourage parents by learning them about your book and offer them to have reading sessions with their children.

## 8. Go Further Success in the field of picture storybooks is often due to having published several books. Learn from the experience and move on.

How to Get Your Own Self-Illustrated Picture Book Published

1. Get Your Manuscript Ready for Publishing

Picture books typically contain less than 500 words per book, as well as 32 pages. When writing picture books, it is important to write tightly; to read your writing out loud on a regular basis; and to test the story with children. Each time you turn a page, there should be some sort of small surprise or visual reward. Additionally, please remember that your illustrations can help tell part of the story, therefore do not describe things that are already shown in the art.

2. Develop a Storyboard and Dummy

Build a "dummy" copy of your book (either by cutting paper/cardboard/etc., or creating it digitally) so that you can see how the pages will look when they are printed. Check the pace of your story, where the text goes, and the general layout. When designing your pages, make sure to leave enough room at the top/bottom/sides for the "gutters" on each page, as some of your most important details may get lost in the center fold of the book.

3. Select your publishing option

Author/Illustrator Submissions to Traditional Publishers Author/illustrators usually send the complete manuscript, a "dummy," and 2-3 completed sample illustrations. You should find literary agents/publishers that will review your submission and follow their submission requirements exactly. Be prepared to wait weeks/months/years for responses and rejection letters. SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) can help you find potential markets.

With self-publishing, you retain creative control over your work as well as receive higher royalty payments; however, you will be responsible for producing, financing, and advertising your book. If you are looking to get your book published quickly or if you have a specific target market that is relatively small, self-publishing may be an option for you.

4. Finalizing Your Design Work For Self-Publishing

Minimum resolution for printing is 300 DPI, and you can either use CMYK or the printer's specific color profile. You should provide a 0.125-inch bleed around each page. Select a common trim size like 8.5 x 8.5 inches or 8 x 10 inches. Ensure that your text and key art are located no closer than 0.5 inches from the edge of the page.

5. Pay Attention to the Specifics

Editing: Work with a children's book editor, or trade critiques with other writers.

Font Choice: Utilize legible, user friendly fonts with high color contrast.

ISBN – Purchase your own via Bowker (USA) and have yourself listed as publisher.

Copyright - Register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Select Your Preferred Print Vendor

Print-on-demand providers (such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark) do not require you to hold stock of your books before you sell them; however, they provide broad distribution of your books. Offset printing should be used when you want to produce high-quality hardcovers or large quantities of your books. Offset printing will reduce the cost per book as long as you print enough copies. No matter how you choose to print your books, always request a proof copy of your book from your printer to ensure that the colors look right in person.

Now, it's time to sell your book!

Build an author website and email list prior to your launch. Connect with school libraries, local independent book stores, and parent bloggers. Provide reading events, classroom visits, and printable activities. Obtain early reviews by providing advance review copies of your book. Consider doing a Kickstarter (or other crowdfunding) campaign to finance the printing of your book and create a following.

8. Keep Creating

Many times, success as an author of picture books comes down to creating a collection of your work. By learning what has worked for you based upon the sales data and the feedback you have received from your readers; you can begin to write the next chapter of your career.

The patience, polish, and persistence that went into creating your illustrated vision will help it connect with young people all over the world.