Your Story Deserves to Be Shared ❤️

How to Prepare a Children’s Book for Publication—and Your Best Publishing Options

Before The Christmas Spider became published, making me an official author, the road to authorship had seemed impassable. Seriously–it was like trying to climb Mount Everest wearing flip flops.

I had the spark of an idea.

Then, I wrote it down.

Next, I improved it through editing…

Until, finally, I was ready to pursue publication!

I sent my little book off to several carefully chosen publishing houses, and was met with an equal number of cold and distant, “no, thank yous.”

Thinking I would be better off working through a literary agent, I began reaching out to several dozen of them that seemed like a good fit.

Many didn’t reply at all. But, the ones who did gave very kind, personal responses. And those responses helped me learn something very important:

Traditional Publishing houses don’t want amazing, bespoke, magical children's books unless they fit the exact mold the publisher has already identified. Instead of chasing quality books, traditional publishers follow a soulless algorithm to determine trends.

Which is why many incredible children’s book manuscripts never see the light of day.

And, why so many hopeful authors give up before they start.

We’re trying to change that!

At White Lake Press, we believe that books of value shouldn’t be pre-determined by a computer’s algorithm, or dictated by a publisher’s marketing team. We’ve walked this journey with many first-time authors. And here’s what we’ve learned: preparing a children’s book for publication isn’t just about polished words. It’s about vision, patience, and love for the little readers who will hold your book one day.

And, when these pillars are in mind, you’ll be pushing a book with meaning and heart.

Here are 3 simple steps to begin:

🌱 1. Refine Your Manuscript
Read your story aloud. Do the words flow? Are the characters relatable? Seek feedback from parents, teachers, or best of all, kids. This phase is where the magic deepens.

🎨 2. Identify Great Illustrations
Search through children’s books to identify the illustration style you like best for your book. Children’s books are as much about pictures as they are about words. Find an illustration style that resonates with your message. Do not begin working with an illustrator prior to signing with a publisher as there are many specific formatting and margin requirements for publication that you may not be familiar with.

📖 3. Choose Your Publication Method
There are three pathways to publication: traditional, self, and hybrid.

Then comes the big decision: Which publishing path is right for me?

 Traditional Publishing
The classic. Send your manuscript to many, many traditional publishers. If it gets looked at, you’ll receive a determination email. If you are accepted, you can expect editorial support, marketing power, and placement in major bookstores. It’s competitive but rewarding. You can expect a small royalty compensation for sales, and should never have to pay a fee to become published. This method is best suited to authors who have a large social media following. Submission typically also requires a literary agent and a strong pitch.

 Self-Publishing
Full creative control and faster timelines. Platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark allow you to publish globally. The learning curve is steep, but absolutely achievable. Many authors succeed here with focused marketing and strong community support.

 Hybrid Publishing
A balance of both—offering guidance like a traditional house but keeping more rights and royalties in your hands. This is the “work smarter, not harder” method, and the one we use at White Lake Press. A hybrid publisher will handle the nuts and bolts of publication and marketing for you, leaving you more time to focus on your creative endeavours.

At White Lake Press, we love helping authors navigate these choices. Why? Because your voice matters. Your story might be the one that sparks a lifelong love of reading in a child.

So if you’ve been wondering, “Can I really do this?”—the answer is yes. The world is waiting for your words.

Warmly,
Miriam Monette
Founder, White Lake Press