Can you make money writing children's books?

The Misconception About Books for Kids

People often believe that children's books are mainly for entertainment and education of child readers. Children's books are usually seen as simple and stimulating to engage children. But, from a publishing point of view, people often think kids' books aren't as profitable due to the misconception that they're easy to write and have a smaller readership. But here's a little secret; the reality is that the market for children's books is quite robust and can be immensely profitable, with successful authors proving there's notable potential in the genre.

This article will answer the questions, "How much money can you make from a children's book," "Do children's authors make money," and many more.

How big is the Children's Book Market?

The kids' book market is much larger than you probably expect, almost as if it's an underground black market of books for kids 8-12 only! It's also surprisingly resilient. This market has a rich history that you would not expect! For example, in Japan, there was a period that's often referred to as the children's literature "winter period!" How's that for a fun fact, huh? The rise of digital media and changes to retail have tried to knock down our bookshelf, but this bookshelf is as sturdy as can be.

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How Much Money do Children's Books Make?

How much money kids' book authors make can vary widely, but here are the usual figures:

• What's an author advance: Authors can get a lump-sum payment upfront. For picture books, for example, advances can go for $6,000 to $12,000 which is split between the author and illustrator.

• What are book royalties: Even after the advance, authors will earn royalties which are a percentage of the book's sales price. Royalties for picture books are usually around 3.5% to 6%. Which reflects that royalties will be split with the illustrator. For novels, royalties aren't split, and an author could receive 7% to 10% of royalties.

Why do Children's Books Make Money?

There are several elements, such as:

• Children's Books Marketability: The book should meet the needs and interests of kids and parents and stand out in a crowded market.

• Children's Book Content: A compelling story, engaging characters, and a relatable theme will captivate young readers, and be sure to marry the words and pictures to convey the story effectively.

• Children's Book Editing: High-quality writing and editing are necessary. Children's books have a level of simplicity that doesn't leave room for mistakes.

• Children's Book Design: The book's design, cover, layout, and illustrations should be attention-drawing and appropriate for the age group.

• Children's Book Pricing: Balancing production costs with competitive pricing is the key. Authors should consider all production costs and variables to ensure they make a profit.

• Children's Book Promo Strategy: A book's marketing will significantly impact its perceived value and its sales.

Children's book authors should also build a strong online presence, leverage social media, collaborate with influencers, organize book launches, participate in book festivals, school visits, email marketing, utilize book reviews, and experiment with ads.

The Truth About Children's Books

The truth about kids' books is that there is immense potential to earn profit in children's book publishing because we now know there is no shortage of young readers, and it's heavily suggested aspiring authors pursue this hidden, overlooked gold mine.

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