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# How to Publish a Self-Illustrated Picture Book

To publish your self-written self-illustrated book, you first have to make a book that appeals to its intended readers, then choose a suitable publishing way.

**Develop the story.** Identify what age range of readers you are targeting. Read recently published picture books in that category. Develop your draft until the text flows smoothly and the illustrations provide something beyond what is said in the text. Make a *dummy*, a mini book-sized prototype to see how pages will be arranged, including the placement of text, page breaks, and images. You'll identify possible pacing issues before you spend hours refining every page.

**Complete and process your artwork.** Make sure the characters and details remain consistent throughout the book. In case you are working traditionally, scan or photograph your pictures according to the specifications of your publisher or printer. If you are creating digital illustrations, check the dimensions, resolution, color settings, bleed, which is extra image space that is cut when the books are printed. Leave enough space for the text without putting significant details near the margins.

**Pick a publishing way.** With a traditional publishing way, research literary agencies and publishers that accept picture books from author-illustrators. Follow the submission guidelines carefully. You will have to submit a manuscript, a dummy, finished sample spreads, and a portfolio URL. Traditional publishers usually deal with editing, design, printing, and distributing, but the acceptance of the book takes some time.

In case you chose the way of self-publishing, you have the power over the schedule and the result, but you will have to organize everything on your own. Compare printers or print-on-demand providers using samples of the printed books, not online previews. Pay attention to the paper quality, color reproduction, binding, and the price you will have to set to cover the cost.

**Prepare the book for release.** Hire an editor or get experienced feedback, even in case you worked on your manuscript a lot. Proofread the final book layout independently from the manuscript: text can be shifted or erased while designing. Make an attractive cover and description of the book and think whether you need to purchase your own ISBN according to the chosen publishing way and distributing methods. Order a proof before the approval of the print run and carefully examine every page.

**Get the book into readers' hands.** Set a reasonable budget for your copies, shipping, and promotion. Build an author-illustrator website with examples of your artwork and order form. Contact local bookstores, libraries, schools, and family-oriented events with the proposal of your age-related activity, such as reading or drawing workshop. Find out their policies before scheduling the visit.

Lastly, organize your files, contracts, and finances. Publishing process consists of many creative and practical steps, so the dummy, proof and plan will work for your book better than hurry into publication.

# How to Publish a Self-Illustrated Picture Book

When you publish a picture book you wrote and illustrated, it's not just about matching text to finished artwork. Begin by creating a book that is right for its audience and publishing in a way that meets your needs.

Work on story. Pick your audience and browse through recently published picture books for that age group. Edit until you are sure the words will read out loud easily and the pictures will contribute to the story.

Create a "dummy": a miniature, spread-by-spread, visual preview of your story that indicates the placement of words, page turns, and illustrations.

It can reveal pacing issues early on.

Complete the artwork. Maintain consistency of characters and detailed backgrounds in a book. For traditional art, scan or take photos at the specs your publisher or printer specifies.

For digital art, ensure sizing, resolution, color space, and bleed (extra areas of the image that are cut away when the image is trimmed at the printer) are correct; allow space for text.

Don't crowd images and text to the edges.

What's your publishing plan? If you are going the traditional route, then find agents or publishers who acquire picture books by author-illustrators. Carefully follow submission guidelines, which may include an author's manuscript, a dummy, sample finished spreads, and a link to your portfolio. Traditional publishers do most editing, design, and printing, and you will wait to have a book in hand.

Self-publishing allows you to decide on the timing and the end-product but it is up to you to sell and produce the book. Evaluate printers or print-on-demand services by asking for physical printed samples, rather than just looking at the online previews. Consider paper type, colour quality, binding and how much you need to sell in order to cover your expenses.

Q: How do I prepare a book for publication? Write a proposal. Even if you've revised a book over and over, get another editor or successful critique on board.

Proofread final layout differently than the manuscript: type often moves, gets lost in the transition.

Make a clear cover and description, and consider whether to buy ISBN based on your publishing method and distribution target. Read the proof before printing.

Help readers find it. Budget for photocopies, shipping, and promotion. Build an author-illustrator website with sample art and ordering details.

Approach independent bookstores, schools, libraries, and family events with a concrete, age-appropriate offering (e.g., a reading or drawing workshop).

Inquire about policies for visits.

Step 4 – File and Organize Keep your files, contracts, and expenses in order. Publishing is a creative and logical process, and a good dummy, a carefully checked proof, and a planning mind is always better than rushing to press.