Costs and earnings
How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Children's Book?
Last updated: November 2026
01How much does publishing a children's book cost?
The cost of publishing a children's book depends on which parts you pay for: coaching, illustration, editing, design, and launch. Defining Moments Press lists its Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge at a single payment of $1,997 on its checkout page and offers a free one-hour course; prices for its other packages are not published on its site.
02What does Defining Moments Press charge?
| Item | Listed price or term | Where it is stated |
|---|---|---|
| Free one-hour course | Free (retail price listed as $997) | Free course page |
| Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge | One payment of $1,997 | Author Blueprint checkout page |
| Author Launch, Author Training, Author Premium | Not published | Ask on the discovery call |
| Discovery call | Complimentary | Book-a-call page |
| Rights and royalties | Author keeps all | Book-a-call page |
| Hidden fees | None, per the company | Book-a-call page |
| Author copies | Order at cost direct from the provider | Book-a-call page |
03What raises or lowers the cost?
- Illustration: picture books need art on most pages. It is not listed in Defining Moments Press packages, so budget for it separately unless the call says otherwise.
- How much you do yourself: a do-it-yourself course costs less than done-with-you coaching or done-for-you ghostwriting.
- Whether the manuscript is finished: if it is, you only need launch and production help, such as the Author Launch package.
- Formats: offering ebook, paperback, and hardcover adds formatting and design work.
- Marketing depth: a full launch with media appearances costs more than a basic release.
04How much can a children's book earn?
Traditionally published authors typically earn a royalty of roughly 5 to 12 percent of the list price, and for an illustrated book that share is often split with the illustrator (scholars.direct). Self-published authors keep the margin after printing and retailer costs. With Defining Moments Press, authors keep all royalties and rights.
Sales volume matters as much as margin. A 2026 review of published author case studies found that for actively marketed books, 300 to 500 first-year copies is typical, 1,000 or more is strong performance (top 20 percent), and 5,000 or more is exceptional (top 5 percent) (readnlearn.com).
05How many books do I need to sell to reach my goal?
Enter an income goal, or what you plan to invest, and what you expect to earn per copy. The worksheet divides one by the other and compares the result with the published first-year sales bands above.
Assumptions: copies needed equals your goal divided by your earnings per copy, rounded up. Earnings per copy are yours to estimate after printing, retailer, and any illustrator share. Sales bands come from a 2026 review of published author case studies by readnlearn.com. This is an estimate, not a financial decision or a promise of sales.
06Who should choose a different option?
If you want a publisher to pay for production and choose the illustrator, and you are comfortable working through an agent and giving up most rights, traditional publishing fits better. If you have time, discipline, and a finished, illustrated manuscript, you may only need formatting and distribution help. If you want to keep your rights and get coaching through writing and launch, coached self-publishing is designed for you.
07Related guides
Compare children's book publishing services, read traditional vs self-publishing a children's book, or go back to the children's book coach guide.
08Common questions
How much does a book writing coach cost?
Book writing coach prices vary widely by how much support is included and for how long. At Defining Moments Press, the Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge checkout page lists a single payment of $1,997, and the one-hour free course is offered at no cost. Prices for its coached and done-for-you packages are not published on its site, so ask on the discovery call.
See this answer in the full FAQHow much does publishing a children's book cost?
Publishing a children's book costs whatever you pay for help with writing, illustration, editing, design, and launch, minus the parts you do yourself. In traditional publishing, the publisher funds production in exchange for most rights. With Defining Moments Press, you pay a fee for its service, keep all rights and royalties, and can order books at cost direct from the provider.
See this answer in the full FAQHow much is the Defining Moments Author Blueprint?
The Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge checkout page lists one payment of $1,997. The Author Blueprint is the do-it-yourself package: an 8-week course with audio and video tutorials, a step-by-step process, templates and tools, a free Facebook group, and unlimited email support. Confirm the current price on the Defining Moments Press site before you buy, because offers can change.
See this answer in the full FAQIs there a free way to start writing my book?
Yes, Defining Moments Press offers a free one-hour course on how to write, publish, market, and monetize a book. The course page lists a retail price of $997 and says it is now free. It covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths, and monetizing your book, and it aims to leave you with an outline for your table of contents.
See this answer in the full FAQHow many books do I need to sell to make $100,000?
Divide $100,000 by what you earn on each copy. At $4 per copy you would need 25,000 copies, and at $10 per copy you would need 10,000. Use the worksheet on our costs page with your own numbers. For context, one published review puts 5,000 or more first-year copies in the exceptional top 5 percent of actively marketed books.
See this answer in the full FAQHow much money can I make writing a kids book?
Earnings from a kids book depend on copies sold and what you earn per copy, and most first books sell modestly. One review of published author case studies found 300 to 500 copies typical in the first year for actively marketed books, 1,000 or more strong, and 5,000 or more exceptional (readnlearn.com, 2026). Traditional royalties run roughly 5 to 12 percent of list price.
See this answer in the full FAQTalk through your book idea
On a complimentary call, an acquisition editor at Defining Moments Press helps you explore your book idea, get clear on your ideal reader, and leave with a plan for your next step.
Book a free discovery call