How to Self-publish and Market a Children's Book: The key steps to self-publishing in print and as an eBook and how to get your story into young readers' hands

by Karen P. Inglis

An indispensable, easy-to-read resource from Amazon UK/US/CA bestselling children's author Karen Inglis.
Have you written a children’s story that you can’t find a home for? Are you feeling overwhelmed by your current children’s self-publishing journey? Or perhaps you're traditionally published but curious about your other options? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, How to Self-publish and Market a Children's Book will provide the key answers to your self-publishing questions – as well as practical guidance and key strategies for selling more children's books face to face and online. After reading this book, you will Karen Inglis has sold over 250,000 children's books (mostly in print) since she started self-publishing and is Children's Advisor at the Alliance of Independent Authors. She regularly goes into UK schools and has presented on children's self-publishing around the UK. Read more reviews over on Amazon UK. Order with one click today for print or Kindle, or to read on other eReading devices using the Kindle app

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2018

Reviews

[James Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The self-publishing process is split into two very distinct but inextricably linked camps as Ms Inglis points out– the publishing process itself and the on-going marketing needs books require. With books for children, there is an added layer – you cannot “sell” to children as such – ethically it’s not acceptable, nor can they buy your book – sub-teens tend not to have their own money but rely on parents/ guardians/grandparents to purchase for them. So authors of middle-grade books find the sales process is doubly tricky – you need to get the reader to choose your book in the first place and then win over the adult who will complete the purchasing process.

Any author going down the self-publishing road needs all the help they can get. There is a heap of information out there on the internet, but what Ms Inglis has done is make an excellent attempt at bringing it all together into a single place. By doing so this she’s made the information more accessible, as well as presenting it in a logically structured style – you only need to read the Table Of Contents to see that. Moreover, it is massively sourced with her hard-won knowledge and experience gained by going through the process with her books. That’s why I love “How to…” books. They capture hard-won knowledge and experience and make it available in an easily consumable form so saving you making the same mistakes, wasting time, money, or going off tangent.

Self-publishing and book marketing are significant, evolving processes, and a guide such as this cannot be complete or entirely up to date. As with all eBooks, it can be continuously corrected, amended, or added to. Ms Inglis makes good use of live links, and a password-protected resources page on her website to allow the reader to explore the software products and tools she discusses.

In conclusion, this is a book well worth purchasing for potential, new, and existing authors. For the price of your morning coffee and cake , you gain the knowledge and expertise of successful children’s author who speaks from the heart and shares not only her successes but things that didn’t work out so well. And, that takes courage but gives the book huge credibility.

[Jessica Renwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very thorough and up-to-date on the process to self-publish a children's book. There is a lot of helpful information and courses out there for indie authors but the marketing for children's books is different than for other genres. This is the first truly helpful resource I've been able to find on the topic. As a middle-grade author, this book has given me a lot of invaluable advice and has really inspired me to keep moving forward!

[Elena Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Save yourself, time, effort, pain and struggle and read this book if you ever wanted to publish a children's book. Super detailed, and extremely positive tone, helping you to not only publish but succeed in self publishing. Karen has been there and done it, and so speaks from experience and wisdom. A long awaited book, and a great resource for years to come.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after I asked my library to purchase several indie-pubbed authors' books and it denied the purchase requests. I wondered what resources are out there to walk new indie-pubbed authors through the pitfalls of this highly technical process? I checked out this book (which is indie-pubbed and my library did / could purchase) after I saw it recommended in a few FB writing groups.

It is absolutely fantabulous for so many reasons -- it covers indie pubbing in detail and most facets of marketing your book. And sure enough, it does address "publishing wide" and getting your indie-pubbed book into libraries (p. 379).

After reading the library copy, I ended up purchasing this from Amazon. It's a vital resource to have on your shelf if you're writing MG and even **thinking** about indie-pubbing. You can tell Inglis has been in the trenches for a while and knows what she's talking about. Truly, indie-pubbing is a business and there's a huge learning curve. Thankfully, Inglis has already done the footwork for you in this volume.

It's a valuable addition to any MG writer looking to understand the publishing biz a little better and make an informed decision whether to indie-pub.

Just don't forget the libraries! ;-)

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Sandra Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been teaching authors how to market their books for a long time and can spot a poser pretty quickly. The author of this book, Karen Inglis, is the real deal. She knows what she's talking about and shares what she knows in this comprehensive, easy-to-read guide that’s loaded with specifics wrapped in wisdom. I can’t imagine any beginning, intermediate, or veteran children’s book author reading this and not discovering something new and helpful.

[Emily Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For writers who hand sel their books.

This book has some good details, especially if you are interested in becoming a school presenter and/or hand-selling your books. If you are just getting started with self publishing in the children's literature market, this book will give you a good idea of how to go about selling your books in person through school visits, parenting groups, and makers markets. It also presents rough basics on selling through Amazon. The book has a printed book focus (as opposed to ebooks). The marketing techniques Inglis describes will work for those who are outgoing and who are willing to put much of their writing time into hand selling. I was really looking for more indepth knowledge on advertising strategies to win over parents on a broad scale and whom you haven't met personally.

[Steven J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough and well detailed book that covers so many important considerations when marketing and self-publishing a children's book. The recommendations are nicely articulated and allows the audience to consider a wide range of social media platforms, tools and methods. Karen Inglis also does a nice job of communicating a valuable system that can greatly assist the basic children's book author as well as the more advanced author that seeks a more uniquely designed project and marketing scheme. The wide range appeal is packaged nicely with a detailed benefit and cost analysis associated with publishing through different, pricing and formatting options. Valuable contacts are also provided to help authors choose the right path for pursuing book formats and release plans.

[Hannah Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful information on navigating the self-publishing world. I recommend this as a great place to start if you’re new to self-publishing or marketing. The tone is conversational and honest, and feels like you’re sitting down over coffee with Ms. Inglis as she shares her advice and experience with you. As an indie children’s author, I really appreciate that this book is directed specifically to children’s and MG books— it’s one of a very few out there.

[Valerie Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate the experience Karen P. Inglis brings to this topic. Since I am going to self-publish my first middle grade novel this year, it was helpful to read tips and encouragement from someone who has been there ahead of me. She gives excellent advice from the writing process all the way through to marketing. Marketing is the biggest challenge for me so it was great to read what worked for someone else. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[Cara Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource

Very thorough and useful guide to self publishing children’s books which as the author points out, is a very different experience to other genres. It helped me realise I am not alone in struggling with a very hard market.

Cara Louise, MA Writing For Children and 2nd prize winner writing for children 12+, Winchester Writers’ Conference

[Adebayo Adegbembo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an indie author myself, I got this book to further understand the Children's book genre. I wasn't disappointed by its content especially the author's wealth of shared resources. She also goes in-depth on subjects that indie authors would normally gloss over. Overall, a great resource that's also a great reference point for my unfolding journey as an author.

[Ryan Mizzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Resource for Self-Publishing

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to self-publish a children's book. It contains a wealth of crucial information and tips that will stand you in good stead on your journey.

[Cynthia Rimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this as an audiobook, but quickly ordered the book so I could read and annotate it like a textbook. Lots of useful info. Some of it isn’t relevant as an American, but it’s identified as UK or US.
Worth buying for yourself.

[Wendy Ledger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great information for indies who write children's books.

[Rose English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 103 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019

A great little book of inspirations and guides for Children's Authors ideal for dipping in and out of.

[Johnette DeRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Tricia Gardella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for the beginning indie writer. I especially liked the feeling of 'I'm not the only one' Inglis writing-style provides.

[Amie McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has absolutely everything you need and more to self publish a children's book. I cannot wait to implement the very clear instructions put forth here.

[Jen Gillham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you keep near your computer at all times. I've already highlighted, underlined, and added sticky notes throughout the book. There's everything from the author's personal stories to recommended children's book awards and everything in the middle. There were topics I hadn't thought about before. Even though there is a lot of information, it is all well organized and doesn't feel overwhelming. I love the adorable town made out of a row of books on the cover, too! Karen P Inglis

[Nick Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about self publishing children's books

This book helped me so much! Great reference for self publishing children's books. I recommend it for all children's book authors.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative based on information in the UK.

[Amie McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full

This book has absolutely everything you need and more to self publish a children's book. I cannot wait to implement the very clear instructions put forth here.