Is It Hard to Get a Children's Book Published? Real Steps, Real Costs, Real Odds
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This tool calculates estimated costs and royalties for traditional vs self-publishing based on your manuscript details. Remember: "Most children's books—traditional or self-published—sell fewer than 1,000 copies in their first year. That's not failure. That's normal."
Getting a children’s book published isn’t impossible-but it’s not easy either. If you’ve written a story for kids and are wondering if it’s worth the effort, here’s the truth: thousands of manuscripts land on editors’ desks every year. Only a tiny fraction make it to shelves. The good news? You don’t need luck. You need strategy.
What Publishers Actually Want
Children’s book publishers aren’t just looking for cute stories. They’re looking for stories that stick. That means a clear, engaging plot that works for the target age group-whether it’s a 2-year-old who needs 10 words per page or a 7-year-old who can handle chapter breaks. Publishers care about rhythm, repetition, and emotional hooks. A story about a shy dragon who finds courage? That works. A story that meanders through five unrelated adventures? That gets rejected.
Picture books (ages 3-7) are the most competitive. Most publishers want 500 words or less. Text must be tight. Every sentence must pull weight. If your manuscript feels padded, editors will notice. And they’ll move on.
Traditional Publishing: The Long Road
If you want to go the traditional route, you need an agent. Yes, that’s right. Most major publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts anymore. You can’t just email a publisher and hope for the best. You need someone who knows the industry, has relationships with editors, and can negotiate contracts.
Getting an agent takes time. The average writer sends out 50-100 queries before landing one. Each query letter must be perfect: a short, punchy pitch, a brief bio, and a clear explanation of why your book fits that agent’s list. You can’t say, “I think this is great.” You need to say, “My book, The Moon Who Forgot to Shine, is a 480-word rhyming picture book about self-worth, similar to The Very Hungry Caterpillar in tone but with the emotional depth of The Kissing Hand.”
Once you have an agent, the process can take 18-24 months. Submission to publishers, revisions, editorial feedback, illustration matching, production timelines-it all adds up. And even if you land a deal, the advance is often small. For debut picture book authors, $5,000-$10,000 is common. Royalties? You don’t see them until the book sells enough copies to earn out the advance.
Self-Publishing: More Control, More Work
Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut. It’s a different path. You handle everything: editing, cover design, interior layout, printing, marketing, distribution. But you also keep 60-70% of the profit instead of 10-15% in traditional publishing.
Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and BookBaby make it easy to publish. But here’s the catch: if your book looks like a DIY project, parents won’t buy it. A professional cover matters. A clean, consistent interior layout matters. A typo in a children’s book? That’s a dealbreaker. Parents expect polish.
One parent-author in Vancouver spent $3,200 to hire an editor, illustrator, and designer. She printed 500 copies. Within six months, she sold 400 through local bookstores, school events, and online. She didn’t need a publisher. She built her own audience.
Who’s Really Getting Published?
Most traditionally published children’s books come from writers with:
- Writing experience (often in other genres)
- Industry connections (critique groups, writing courses, conferences)
- Platform (social media followers, teaching background, public speaking experience)
That doesn’t mean you need to be a famous teacher or blogger. But if you’ve never written anything before, you’re starting at a disadvantage. Publishers want to know you can promote your book. They’re not just buying a manuscript-they’re buying a partner in marketing.
What You Can Do Right Now
Here’s what works:
- Read 50+ recent picture books. Not just the classics. Go to your local library and read what’s on the shelves today. Notice the structure, the pacing, the word count.
- Join a critique group. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) has free online groups. Get feedback from real editors and authors.
- Write 3 versions of your story. Cut 20% from each. Then cut another 10%. If it still works, you’ve got a tight manuscript.
- Submit to agents who represent picture books. Use QueryTracker or Manuscript Wishlist to find agents actively seeking children’s content.
- If self-publishing, hire a professional. Don’t use Canva for your cover. Don’t rely on Grammarly alone. Pay for a children’s book editor and illustrator. It’s worth it.
The Hard Truth
Most children’s books-traditional or self-published-sell fewer than 1,000 copies in their first year. That’s not failure. That’s normal. The ones that succeed are usually part of a series, tied to a teacher or therapist’s curriculum, or promoted through consistent, local outreach.
If you’re writing because you want to be famous? You’ll be disappointed. If you’re writing because you have a story that matters to a child you know? That’s the kind of book that finds its way into the world.
What’s the Real Cost?
Traditional publishing: $0 upfront. But you wait 2+ years. And you get paid slowly.
Self-publishing: $1,500-$5,000 upfront. But you control the timeline. You own the rights. You earn more per sale.
There’s no right answer. Only the right path for you.
Do I need an illustrator to submit a picture book?
No. Most traditional publishers choose their own illustrators. If you’re a writer without art skills, don’t include illustrations. Just write the text. If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need an illustrator-but hire someone with experience in children’s books, not just any graphic designer.
Can I publish a children’s book without an agent?
Yes, but only if you self-publish. Traditional publishers like Penguin, HarperCollins, and Scholastic almost always require an agent. Some small presses accept direct submissions, but they’re rare and often have very niche audiences. Don’t waste time on publishers that say "open submissions" unless you’ve verified they’re still accepting them.
How long does it take to publish a children’s book?
Traditional: 18-36 months from submission to shelf. Self-publishing: 3-6 months if you’re organized. The delay in traditional publishing comes from illustration, printing schedules, and seasonal buying cycles. Publishers plan releases around holidays, school years, and reading events.
Is it better to write a rhyming picture book?
Rhyming is popular, but it’s risky. If the rhythm is off, editors will reject it immediately. Many agents say they avoid rhyming manuscripts unless the rhyme is flawless and the story is exceptional. Non-rhyming stories have more flexibility and are often easier to translate internationally. Focus on strong storytelling first.
What age group should I target?
Most debut authors aim for ages 3-7 (picture books). That’s the sweet spot for sales and publisher interest. Board books (0-3) are harder to sell because they’re cheaper and have lower margins. Middle-grade (8-12) books require longer manuscripts and more complex plots. Start simple. Prove your voice with a picture book first.