How to Publish a Christian Children's Book

Self Publishing a Christian Children's Book Is One Option.

You've written a Christian children's book that is sure to encourage children and touch the hearts of adults. Now, you need to figure out how to get it into their hands so they can enjoy your God inspired work. Exactly how can you publish a Christian children's book?

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Error free manuscript
• Great query letter
• List of children's markets
• Perseverance

1. Begin by having a friend who has editing experience read over your manuscript to check for any errors you've missed. You want to send out an error free manuscript.

2. Head to the library to look through the latest Children's Writers and Illustrators Market. This book has a list of publishers that are currently accepting manuscript submissions in it.

3. Write a compelling query letter and send it to at least one of the publishers on your list. Usually, you'll want to send a sample chapter of the book along if it is a fictional story. If it is a picture book, you'll probably want to submit the entire manuscript along with your letter.

4. Start writing a new story while you are waiting to hear from the editors you queried. This way, you won't spend all of your waking hours pacing back and forth in front of the mailbox.

5. If one of the publishers accepts your manuscript, you're on your way to publishing a Christian children's book. If not, you'll have to repeat the above steps and send your query to more publishers.

6. If you've exhausted all of the traditional Christian book publishers, it is time to look for non-traditional publishing methods.

7. First, you'll need to find an illustrator who is willing to work with you to create some artwork for your manuscript. (This is only for a book you are self publishing. Editors don't like to get pre-illustrated books.)

8. Next, create a pdf of your newly illustrated manuscript. Once you are satisfied with your pdf, you are ready to publish your Christian children's book by yourself.

9. Upload a copy of your pdf to a print on demand service like Lulu and use it to sell hard copies of your book. Offer electronic copies of your book through your own website or as an additional buying option on Lulu. Your Christian children's book is now published!

Tips & Warnings

• Many authors send several queries for the same manuscript out at the same time. This is called a simultaneous submission. While editors don't really like this practice, it makes sense for writers who have a great manuscript to cut down on waiting time by submitting to several publishers at the same time.

• If you want to sell a lot of copies and would like to be able to promote your book through local bookstores, you'll need an ISBN number. Most print on demand services offer them for a fee, but make sure you're up to heavily promoting your book so you can sell enough copies to recoup your printing costs.

• Check your local college for a talented illustrator who will be willing to collaborate with you without advance payment in exchange for portfolio samples and a portion of the book royalties.

• If you go the self publishing route, avoid buying a huge quantity of your books at one time. You'll probably want a few copies to show to local bookstores or to take on book talks, but it is much better to simply order more when you run out instead of having 500 too many copies sitting around the living room!

Resources

• Lulu - Print on Demand