Becoming a children’s book author is a dream for many people. Writing for children is a unique and rewarding experience that can bring joy to both the author and the reader. However, it can also be a challenging and competitive field to break into. In this article, I’ll take you through all the steps you must take to become a successful children’s book author as a beginner.
Step 1: Clarify Your Goals
Before you start writing your children’s book, it’s important to clarify your goals. Some people just want to create stories of kids as a hobby and for joy. Some want to build a complete career as children’s book authors and start earning from it. If your aim is to sell your book to a wide audience, that will influence your story and design choices, as well as your publishing, distribution, and marketing approach.
Ask yourself what are your main goals for it. Is the process more about your hobby or a hustle for making money? Maybe it’s a bit of both. Heading into the writing process with a clear mindset and goals can help set you up for success.
Step 2: Read Dozens of Children’s Books
Think of this step as part research, part inspiration. Check out the best selling and award winning books in the kids category. Browse the kid’s section in your local library or any bookstore. As you read, you’ll notice similar themes or character behaviors that make for good storytelling.
Also, pay attention to tiny details such as how the text and pictures work together on each page. Which type of pictures are used in the book? Making note of these things will help you in writing a story that’ll have a higher chance of performing well.
Step 3: Know Your Audience
If you usually don’t spend much time around kids, but your skills to make them captivate them with your words are great then this could be a huge plus point for you! The key is knowing what makes kids tick—what catches their attention, how their attention span works, and what makes them laugh or curious. Take some time to explore and talk to your own inner child and hang out with the kids to learn more about them.
Step 4: Put Pen to Paper
Now that you have an idea of what makes a great children’s book, it’s time to start writing! Don’t worry about making it perfect right away—just get your ideas down on paper. You can always go back and revise later.
Remember that picture books are usually around 32 pages long with no more than 1000 words total, so keep your story simple and focused.
Step 5: Get Feedback
Once you’ve written your first draft, it’s time to get feedback from others. Share your manuscript with friends, family members, or writing groups who can give you honest feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Take their suggestions into consideration as you revise your manuscript.
Step 6: Find an Agent or Publisher
Once you’ve revised your manuscript and feel confident in your story, it’s time to find an agent or publisher who can help bring your book to life. Research agents or publishers who specialize in children’s books and submit your manuscript according to their guidelines.
Step 7: Promote Your Book
Once your book is published, it’s up to you to promote it! Attend book signings, readings, and other events where you can connect with readers and share your story. Use social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to connect with fans and promote your book online.
These were the major step you have to take in order to start your writing journey and hopefully become a successful children’s book author as a beginner. Below, I have also mentioned some FAQ’s as well that can help you in your writing journey. So make sure to read them as well!
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FAQ’s
How Much Does a Children’s Book Author Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of all authors and writers is around $67,120 in 2020. But, the amount of money a children’s book author makes varies widely depending on several factors such as the price of the book, the author’s royalty percentage, whether they are traditionally or self-published, etc.
Want to know about How Much An Author Make If They Sell A Million Copies? Click here to know!
Is It Hard To Become A Kids Book Author?
Becoming a successful children’s book author can be more difficult than becoming any other kind of author. Everybody thinks writing for kids is easy, making it really competitive. While in reality, the road is steep!
But don’t let that discourage you from pursuing your dream of becoming a children’s book author. With passion, perseverance, dedication, and hard work anyone can become one.
Is Writing Children’s Books Profitable?
Writing children’s books can be profitable, but it depends on many factors such as experience, publisher, and book sales.
Who is the Highest Paid Children’s Book Author?
According to Forbes, the highest-paid children’s author in 2016 was Jeff Kinney, author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, with an estimated income of $19.5 million.
How Much Money Does it Take to Publish a Children’s Book?
On average, children’s authors who want to publish a standard 32-page, color interior children’s book can expect to pay between $15 to $17 for 500 copies or fewer. Self-publishing can cost children’s book writers anywhere between $1,000-$6,000.
How Long Should a Kids Book Be?
Kid books are usually around 32 pages long with no more than 1000 words total.
Summary
Becoming a successful children’s book author takes time and effort but it is possible if you follow these steps. Clarify your goals before starting out so that you know what you want to achieve from publishing a children’s book.
Read dozens of children’s books so that you know what makes a great children’s book. Know your audience so that you can captivate them with your words. Put pen to paper so that you can start writing! Get feedback from others so that you can improve your manuscript. Find an agent or publisher who can help bring your book to life. Promote your book so that readers know about it.
