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How to Publish a Self-Illustrated Picture Book

Publishing a picture book requires more than just attaching words to completed drawings. Create a book that satisfies your target audience, and then determine the most suitable and cost-effective publishing approach.

Develop the text and drawings. Define the target audience and research picture books created for similar age groups. Edit the text until it is easy to read out loud and the illustrations complement the text, providing additional meaningful details not mentioned in the text. Create a dummy, a paginated sample of the book indicating placement of text, images, and page turns, to identify potential pacing issues before finalizing the dummy. Finish and prepare the drawings: ensure that the characters are consistent throughout the book and the drawings are prepared in the required format. If the drawings are created traditionally, scan or photograph them according to the required specifications. If the drawings are created digitally, ensure that the image size, resolution, color mode, and bleed – the trim area of a printed piece that is outside the page margins – are appropriate. Allow sufficient space for text placement.

Determine the most suitable publishing option. When looking for traditional publishing options, identify literary agents or publishers that specialize in picture books authored and illustrated by the same person and follow their submission guidelines. You may be required to submit the manuscript, dummy, finished spreads, and a link to your portfolio. Note that traditional publishing houses typically include proofreading, editing, graphic design, typesetting, printing, and distribution services in the contract. However, the acquisition process can take a long time. Self-publishing offers more control and faster results but requires you to cover all expenses and develop a marketing strategy. Always request a physical proof to evaluate the quality of paper, color accuracy, binding, and other considerations since proof samples may appear different on a computer screen. Ensure that the selling price covers all expenses incurred.

Finalize the book’s design and layout. Hire a professional proofreader or editor – even if you have revised the manuscript multiple times – and request a proofreading sample to ensure that no errors were made when typesetting the manuscript. Note that the text placement in the final proof can differ significantly from the draft or dummy, affecting readability. Create a compelling cover and a brief description of the book’s content for the purposes of marketing. Ensure that you understand whether you will need to assign an ISBN – an international standard book number – to your book and how it will be distributed: these factors will affect your marketing and sales strategies. Before ordering prints, request a proof copy and examine each page to ensure that no errors were made during the printing process.

Market the book to increase visibility and identify potential sales channels. Set a realistic print run budget and order samples to ensure that the quality and size are appropriate. Create a website as an author and illustrator to post your portfolio and allow customers to purchase the book. Contact local bookstores, libraries, and children’s events to schedule readings or workshops. Provide these organizations with a brief description of the book and its target audience. Ensure that all logistics, such as sample copies and equipment for workshops, are arranged in advance. Remember to keep all receipts and records of your expenses for tax deduction purposes. Note that publishing a book is a complex process that involves numerous financial and creative aspects, and a well-prepared dummy, proof copy, and marketing strategy will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Publishing Your Own Illustrated Children's Book

Publishing your own written and illustrated picture books is much more than combining words and completed artwork. First make sure the book will be enjoyed by your target audience; then select the publishing option that best meets your needs and financial constraints.

Develop the story. Choose an appropriate age group to write for; then read current picture books published for this age group. Continue revising until the words flow smoothly when read aloud, and the illustrations provide additional information beyond what is stated in the words. Create a dummy: a miniature version of the book (page-by-page) indicating how you plan to arrange the text, page turning, and illustrations on each page. A dummy will assist you in identifying pacing issues prior to spending hours creating finished spreads.

Work on completing and preparing the illustrations for the book. Ensure that all the illustrations have consistent characterization and visual elements throughout the book. If you are creating your illustrations traditionally, either use a scanner or take photographs of them according to the requirements specified by your publisher or printer. If you are working digitally, verify that the size of your images, their resolution, color mode, and bleed—the additional space around the image that will be removed when printed—all meet the requirements. Allow sufficient space for the text while keeping the most critical parts of the illustration away from the edges of the pages.

Pick a way to publish your work. If you choose to publish traditionally, look for agents/publishers who publish children's books written/illustrated by authors/illustrators. Make sure you read through the submission guidelines for every publisher/agent you apply to, as you may have to submit a manuscript, dummy, some finished illustrations (spreads), and a portfolio link. While traditional publishing companies typically take care of editing, designing, printing, and distributing your book, it could take a long time to get your book published.

While self-publishing offers a high degree of control over the scheduling of your publication and the final product, it also puts the responsibility of production and selling on your shoulders. When comparing different types of printers or print-on-demand services, always use actual physical proof copies of your work rather than relying on on-line versions. Evaluate paper quality, color accuracy in reproducing your images/text, binding options, and determine how much you will need to charge per copy in order to break-even.

Prepare the book to be published. Find an editor or ask for opinions from other experienced writers (or readers) no matter how much you've already edited. Edit the proof copy of your book's layout separately from editing the manuscript. The text may change position or disappear altogether when it is being designed. Design a clean and attractive cover for your book and write a brief summary of what your book is about. You will need to decide whether to purchase an ISBN number depending upon the way you intend to publish your book and where you plan to sell it. Order a proof copy of your book and check every single page before ordering the first printing of your book.

Readers will be able to easily locate your book. Determine what you can afford to spend on copies of the book, shipping the books to customers, and advertising the book. Create a website for yourself as an author/illustrator that includes images of your work, as well as purchasing instructions. Reach out to bookstores, libraries, schools, and family-oriented events in your area with a specific, age-appropriate proposal (i.e., a reading or drawing workshop). Be sure to inquire about each location's policy regarding authors/illustrators visiting.

Lastly, maintain organization in regards to all documents such as contracts, expense reports, etc. Your publishing process will consist of many different types of decisions both creatively and practically. A meticulously prepared dummy, a thoroughly reviewed proof, and a well-planned marketing strategy will result in a much better outcome for your book than attempting to publish too quickly.