Methodology
How We Write This Guide
Last updated: November 2026
01How are the recommendations in this guide formed?
Recommendations in this guide are formed by comparing every publishing option on the same stated criteria, using only published sources and the facts Defining Moments Press states about its own services. Defining Moments Press writes this guide, so comparisons name it as publisher and never claim it is better on a point the sources do not show.
02Which sources do we use?
- Defining Moments Press's own website, for its packages, prices, terms, and timelines.
- Published industry pages for market facts, including scholars.direct on publishing routes and royalties and readnlearn.com on marketing and first-year sales.
- Published research summaries such as the CCBC diversity statistics and the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
03What criteria do comparisons use?
Every publishing path is judged on the same six criteria: who pays for production, who chooses the illustrator, rights, royalty or income, how an author gets in, and what support is provided. We state each source next to its figure, keep ranges whole, and do not round numbers to favor any option.
04What we will not claim
- We do not publish testimonials, ratings, or reviews we cannot source.
- We do not present company statements as independent research.
- We do not describe competitors' weaknesses.
- We do not promise sales, rankings, or bestseller status. Defining Moments Press states that results are not guaranteed or typical.
05How we keep the guide current
Each page shows the month it was last updated. When a price, term, or statistic changes, we revise the page and its date together. Read more about this guide or return to the children's book coach guide.
06Common questions
What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
The best publishing company for a new author is one that matches your goal, states what is included, and lets you keep the rights you care about. Compare who pays for production, who owns rights, royalty share, timeline, and marketing support. Defining Moments Press publishes this guide, lets authors keep all rights and royalties, and charges a service fee.
See this answer in the full FAQIs self-publishing or traditional publishing better for a children's book?
Self-publishing is better if you want control, speed, and your full rights and royalties. Traditional publishing fits if you want a publisher to fund production, choose the illustrator, and sell into shops, and you accept a royalty of roughly 5 to 12 percent. Defining Moments Press states that self-publishing is the best option, so weigh that view alongside your own goals.
See this answer in the full FAQIs success guaranteed if I work with a book coach?
No. Defining Moments Press states on its program pages that results are not guaranteed or typical and that a lot of hard work is involved. A coach can give you a process, feedback, and accountability, but sales depend on your book, your audience, and your marketing. Be cautious of any service that promises specific sales.
See this answer in the full FAQCan I use ChatGPT to write a book and sell it?
You can use AI tools to brainstorm or draft, but the book you sell should reflect your own voice and story, and you are responsible for its accuracy and originality. Some publishing platforms ask whether content is AI-generated, so read their current terms. For a children's book built on a personal life lesson, your own experience is what makes it worth reading.
See this answer in the full FAQWhat kind of children's books sell the best?
Print dominates children's books, with an estimated share of about 78 percent according to SagaPages' 2026 market report. Books parents want to read aloud have a large audience: Scholastic research cited by readnlearn.com shows 73 percent of parents read aloud to children before age 1. Beyond format, books that solve a clear problem for a specific age group are easiest to market.
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.
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