Step-by-step guide
How to Publish a Children's Book
Last updated: November 2026
01How do I publish a children's book?
You publish a children's book by finishing and revising the manuscript, arranging illustration and design, then either submitting to traditional publishers, usually through an agent, or self-publishing in ebook and print. Defining Moments Press teaches the self-publishing route, says books can be published in 87 countries using major publishers, and lets authors keep all rights and royalties.
02What are the two ways to publish a children's book?
03The eight steps to publish a children's book
Choose your exact reader
Name the age band, such as 3 to 5 or 6 to 8, and the adult who buys the book. Defining Moments Press teaches that once you know who you are writing for, the rest of the process falls into place much more easily.
Outline before you write
Map the problem, the attempts, and the resolution. A clear outline is the best defense against the stall that stops most books.
Draft for reading aloud
Read every page out loud. Rhythm, repetition, and page-turns matter more in a children's book than in almost any other kind of writing.
Revise and get feedback
Cut lines that describe what the art will show. Ask parents, teachers, and children in your target age to listen.
Arrange illustration and design
Decide who illustrates, agree on rights in writing, and plan layout and trim size together.
Format for ebook and print
Prepare separate files for each format. Defining Moments Press packages include formatting and book design.
Publish and distribute
Release the book through your chosen route. Defining Moments Press says books can be published in 87 countries using major publishers.
Launch and keep marketing
Build an audience 60 to 90 days before launch and run a coordinated 90-day launch campaign (readnlearn.com).
04How to publish a children's book without an agent
Self-publishing is the most direct way to publish a children's book without an agent, because no agent or acquisitions team needs to approve it. You can also submit directly to the children's publishers that accept unagented manuscripts, but always read each publisher's current submission guidelines first. If you take the self-publishing route, you control the release date, the price, and the rights.
05How to publish a children's book with Random House
Random House is a large traditional publisher. Traditional publishing usually works through a literary agent who submits your manuscript, so the first step is typically to find an agent who represents children's books. Check the publisher's own website for its current rules. If waiting for an agent and giving up most rights does not suit your goals, self-publishing is the alternative.
06How to publish a children's book series
Plan the whole series arc before you publish book one, then keep the characters, trim size, cover style, and illustrator consistent so the books look like a set. Self-publishing makes a series easier to manage because you control the schedule. Release the first book well, learn from its launch, and use what you learn for each following title.
07How to publish a children's book in the USA, or anywhere
The steps are the same in the USA as elsewhere. Defining Moments Press, Inc is a US-based company that works with authors all over the world, and it says books can be published in 87 countries. If you live outside the US, ask on the discovery call which formats and channels apply to you.
08How long does each stage take?
| Stage | Typical time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Writing and publishing with the Author Blueprint | 8 weeks or less | Defining Moments Press |
| Weekly time commitment | About 2 to 5 hours a week | Defining Moments Press Author Blueprint page |
| Reply after applying | Within 2 business days | Defining Moments Press application page |
| Audience building before launch | 60 to 90 days | readnlearn.com |
| Launch campaign | 90 days | readnlearn.com |
| Illustration | Not stated in our sources; agree a schedule with your illustrator | Not supplied |
09Where to go next
Return to the children's book coach guide for the full overview, compare children's book publishing services, or see what it costs to publish a children's book.
10Common questions
How do I publish a children's book without an agent?
You can publish a children's book without an agent by self-publishing it or by submitting to the smaller number of children's publishers that accept unagented manuscripts. Self-publishing needs no agent at all, because you handle production and distribution yourself or with a service. Always read a publisher's current submission guidelines before sending anything.
See this answer in the full FAQHow do I publish a children's book with Random House?
Random House is a large traditional publisher, and traditional publishing usually works through a literary agent who submits your manuscript. Check the publisher's own website for current submission rules before you start. If you want to publish on your own timeline and keep your rights, self-publishing is the alternative that Defining Moments Press teaches.
See this answer in the full FAQHow hard is it to get a children's book published?
Getting a children's book traditionally published is competitive because it usually requires an agent and a publisher's acceptance, and you give up most rights. IBISWorld counts 229 children's book publishing businesses in the US as of 2025. Self-publishing removes the gatekeepers: if your book is ready, you can publish it, though selling it still takes marketing.
See this answer in the full FAQHow do I publish a children's book series?
Publish the first book well, then release the rest with consistent characters, trim size, design, and branding so readers recognize the series. Plan the series arc before you publish book one. Self-publishing makes series easier to control because you set the release schedule. Keep the same illustrator where possible so the books look like a set.
See this answer in the full FAQHow long does it take to write and publish a book?
Defining Moments Press helps authors write and publish a book in 8 weeks or less. Its Author Blueprint covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching in about 2 to 5 hours a week. A children's book may also need time for illustration, which is not listed in its packages, so plan that schedule separately.
See this answer in the full FAQHow do I self-publish and market a children's book?
Self-publish by preparing a finished, designed, formatted book and releasing it in ebook and print, then market it in three phases. One 2026 marketing guide recommends building an audience 60 to 90 days before launch, running a coordinated 90-day launch campaign, then sustaining momentum with evergreen systems (readnlearn.com). Defining Moments Press packages include launch support.
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