How to Publish a Children's Book: What Every Aspiring Author Should Know

How to Publish a Children's Book: What Every Aspiring Author Should Know

Publishing Process
February 12, 2025•4 min read

How to Publish a Children's Book: What Every Aspiring Author Should Know

By Renée Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing & Bestselling Author of The One-Hour Author

Thinking about writing a children's book? You're not alone. I get tons of questions from aspiring children's book authors—some who have already written their book, some who are deep in the process, and many who just have an idea and no clue where to start.

At Smart Publishing, we don’t focus heavily on children’s books, but we do take them on when it’s the right fit. More importantly, I know firsthand just how varied and complex children’s book publishing can be (my toddler’s bookshelf is proof!). If you’re considering writing or publishing a children's book, there are a few things you need to know before you dive in.

The Many Types of Children's Books

Children’s books come in all shapes and sizes—literally. Unlike adult books, which typically follow standard formats, children’s books have an endless variety of styles, structures, and designs. There are board books for toddlers, soft-touch sensory books, pop-up books, sound books, and even books with interactive features.

If your dream is to create a highly customized book (like a pop-up book or a book with sounds and textures), be prepared for a higher upfront cost because those require specialty printing.

For most independent authors, though, the most practical and cost-effective way to publish a children’s book is through on-demand printing with platforms like:

  • Amazon KDP

  • Lulu

  • IngramSpark

These services allow you to publish without upfront costs, but they do have some formatting restrictions you need to be aware of.

How to Print Your Children's Book on Demand

If you're using Amazon KDP or similar platforms, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✔ Trim Sizes Are Limited – You can’t just pick any size; you have to choose from their approved dimensions.
✔ Minimum Page Counts Exist – For example, Amazon requires at least 24 pages for a paperback and 75 pages for a hardcover.
✔ No Customizations – Features like sound buttons, pop-ups, and touch-and-feel textures aren’t available with on-demand printing.

If you can work within these parameters, then on-demand printing is your best bet. Otherwise, you’ll need to go the specialty printing route, which usually requires a minimum order of $10,000 - $30,000 worth of books upfront.

Do You Really Need a Kindle Version for a Children's Book?

Yes! I hear from a lot of children's book authors who assume that eBooks don’t make sense for kids. But here’s the thing—tablets are everywhere. If you have a child, chances are they have access to a tablet like an Amazon Fire.

Amazon Fire tablets (which are heavily marketed toward parents) have a built-in Kindle store where parents can buy eBooks for their kids. If your book isn't available in eBook format, you're missing out on a huge audience.

How Much Money Can You Make from a Children's Book?

Here’s the reality check: only the top 1-2% of authors make a full-time living off royalties alone. Your book might cover some grocery bills, but unless you’re the next Dr. Seuss, don’t quit your day job just yet.

That said, here’s how royalties break down on Amazon KDP:
📚 Paperback & Hardcover: You get 60% of the list price, minus printing costs. If you opt for expanded distribution (so bookstores & libraries can stock your book), the royalty drops to 40%.
📖 Kindle eBook: You get 70% royalties, minus a small delivery fee (usually around 8 cents per MB).

Publishing in multiple formats (hardcover, paperback, and eBook) increases your revenue streams and allows you to cater to more customers.

Final Thoughts: Is a Children's Book Right for You?

If you’re passionate about writing for kids and want to see your book in the hands of young readers, go for it! Just make sure you understand the costs, format limitations, and royalty structure before diving in.

If you're interested in working with Smart Publishing, visit smartpublishingservices.com—we’re here to help authors bring their books to life in the most efficient and strategic way possible.

Until next time—keep writing your story! ✨

Writing a book is one of the most powerful things you can do to create impact. Don’t wait—start your journey today!

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Renée Sanábria Lautermilch is the co-founder of Smart Publishing, an independent publishing firm she started with her husband, Jonathan Lautermilch. Together, they help aspiring writers become bestselling authors through a white glove, end-to-end publishing process. Renée is also the author of bestselling books, including The One-Hour Author, Leading Through Love, and Real Talk With Real Business Pros. With over 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare, education, fitness, and hospitality, she holds a Bachelor's in Human Resources, an MBA, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design. Renée has received international recognition, including Learning Leader of the Year from the Learning and Performance Institute. Her blend of business, publishing, and academic expertise informs her work as an editor and mentor, guiding authors with confidence and passion.

Renee Lautermilch

Renée Sanábria Lautermilch is the co-founder of Smart Publishing, an independent publishing firm she started with her husband, Jonathan Lautermilch. Together, they help aspiring writers become bestselling authors through a white glove, end-to-end publishing process. Renée is also the author of bestselling books, including The One-Hour Author, Leading Through Love, and Real Talk With Real Business Pros. With over 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare, education, fitness, and hospitality, she holds a Bachelor's in Human Resources, an MBA, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design. Renée has received international recognition, including Learning Leader of the Year from the Learning and Performance Institute. Her blend of business, publishing, and academic expertise informs her work as an editor and mentor, guiding authors with confidence and passion.

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