Had a Children’s Book Ghostwritten? Now What?

As a children’s ghostwriter, I am often asked what comes after the manuscript is written and edited.

Well, this depends on which publishing road you’ll take: self-publishing or traditional publishing.

Since the majority of my clients go the self-pubbing route, I’ll start there.

SELF-PUBLISHING

BASIC PAGES AND COPY (in addition to the story).

1. You’ll need back cover copy. This is a brief description of the story, usually 100-200 words. It needs to be ‘grabbing’ and ‘clear.’

2. It’s a good idea to have an About the Author or Author’s Note page at the end of the story.

3. A Copyright page – you can include acknowledgments on this page.

4. A Dedication / Acknowledgment page is optional.

5. Some authors want a Preface page, but this usually isn’t necessary.

6. If you have words that need to be defined for the young reader, include a Glossary right after the story.

7. Then there’s the Activity Page and Reading Comprehension Page. This is necessary if you want to get your book into the classroom.

Unless you’re creating your own pages, these items will be incur additional fee.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Interior:

You will need illustrations if you have a children’s picture book. Depending on your budget, you’ll need to decide if you want 12/13 interior illustrations (one per spread) or 24/26 illustrations (one per page). A standard picture book is 32 pages. The rest of the pages include front and back matter.

Keep in mind that a full spread is considered two pages, and you will be charged for two illustrations.

Note: A spread is the two pages you see when you open a book. For example, pages 1 and 2 / pages 3 and 4 / and so on.

Pricing for illustrations varies. I recommend a couple of illustrators to my clients; the cost is between $50 and $150 per interior illustration. There are others who charge $250 or more.

Exterior:

The book cover is a BIGGIE. The cover is one of the most influential elements to motivate someone to pick up your book. You want it done right. Covers are more expensive than interior illustrations.

The back cover is essential as well. After looking at the front cover, a reader will look at the back cover for more information.

Depending on your budget, you can go for a spot illustration for the back cover. This isn’t necessary, though. You can simply have a colored or white back cover with the book’s description. Another option is to ask the book designer to include an interior image on the back cover.

On the flip side, you may be able to get illustrations cheaper through various services or illustrators. Just be sure the one you choose is capable of creating high-quality illustrations. If the illustrations don’t meet specifications, the book won’t upload for publishing. Just as bad, if the illustrations are of poor quality, your book will be of poor quality.

Again, cover illustrations are more. However, you may ask the illustrator to use an interior illustration for the cover. This will save money.

Here are three places you can look for illustrators:
https://www.upwork.com
https://fiverr.com
https:// blueberryillustrations.com/childrens-book-illustrations

You can also do a Google search. Just please be careful. Be sure to review a portfolio of their work and the books they’ve done. But keep in mind that even if you review an illustrator’s portfolio, it doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll be getting. I’ve seen this happen many times.

So, you can see that self-publishing a children’s picture book can get pretty expensive.

Hot Tip: Unless you’re a professional illustrator, or really, really good, don’t attempt to do your own illustrations.

Checking the Illustrations and Illustrations-to-Text.

You will need to make sure there are no errors in the illustrations. If this seems daunting, you can hire someone to oversee this process.

For the first part, carefully review each illustration, including the cover and the back cover (if you have an image on the back cover).

It can be something as simple as part of a foot missing, or a picture described in the story conveyed incorrectly in the illustration. These, among many others, were mistakes I found for one of my clients who hired me to oversee this process for him.

It can even be consistency, for example, how the characters look throughout the story, or even the background scenery. In one project I worked on, the illustrator included molding in some illustrations and none in others where it should have been.

You’ll need to have a keen eye for these potential pitfalls, but getting it right is the difference between a high-quality product and a low-quality one.

For the illustrations to text review, it’s the same. You want to make sure the illustration fits the text on each page. Most illustrators get this right, but I’ve come across a few who do make mistakes.

This is your book. You want it to be the best it can be. This means getting all the details right.

BOOK FORMATTING AND DESIGN

Once you have all your illustrations, you will need a book designer to put everything together and provide print-ready files for publishing and distribution.

TIME FRAME

Having the book ghostwritten and illustrated can take around 3 months, possibly longer.

The Story

Using myself as an example, I usually take up to a month to write a children’s picture book manuscript of 600 to 1500 words (depending on my clients’ needs/wants). I do mention in my freelance agreement that it can take up to eight weeks.

Your manuscript word count can be a little flexible if you’re self-publishing. If you’re going the traditional route, it’s essential to keep it within current standard guidelines.

Another factor in the time it takes to write the story is the time the client takes to respond to questions and approve content. If a client takes more than a couple of days to respond to emails, the time frame will be thrown off.

The Illustrations

Getting the interior and exterior illustrations done can take two to three months, sometimes more. It will depend on the illustrator you use and their workload.

GETTING THE BOOK PUBLISHED (ready for sale and distribution)

Depending on your budget, you can hire someone from a site like Fiverr.com to format and upload your book onto Kindle or other publishing venues.

Self-Publishing a Chapter Book

If you have a chapter book ghosted, you’ll need at least one illustration for each chapter. If your budget allows, it’s better to have more illustrations. They can be simple grey-tone or black-and-white sketches, which will help keep costs in check.

I provide a full self-publishing service, covering all discussed here. You can email me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com and check out Writers on the Move Self-Publishing Service.

THE TRADITIONAL ROAD

The traditional route will cost much less. All you’ll be paying for is the ghostwriter. You won’t need illustrations.

While it will cost less, it will certainly take a lot longer.

You’ll have to submit your manuscript to publishers or literary agents to hopefully get a contract, and getting a contract is never a guarantee. You’ll need a query letter and a synopsis of the story.

When and if a contract is signed, it can take up to 2 years before your book is published. So, patience is needed.

And be prepared for the publisher’s editor to review your story and possibly request changes. This is just part of the process. Be open to suggestions.

I recommend you get the most recent edition of “Children’s Writers and Illustrators’ Market” by Writer’s Digest Books. This book provides information on publishers and agents in the children’s writing arena. These are the people you’ll be submitting your manuscript to.

And, for more information on traditional publishing, you can read:

Children’s Writing and Publishing – The Traditional Path

THE AUTHOR WEBSITE

Before you publish your book, you absolutely need an author website. Publishers and agents will expect this. And, if you’re self-publishing, it’s even more important.

According to Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest, in his book “Create Your Writer Platform,” an author’s platform (its visibility, connections, and reach) is a key factor when looking for a publisher or agent.

Take note that this is not after a book is published; it’s when the author is looking for a contract. Your platform begins with a website.

Summing it Up

This is a basic run-down of what to expect and what you’ll need to do to get your ghostwritten manuscript published.

Make Your Children’s Writing Website Focused – 3 Must-Haves, 6 Tips
Editing a Children’s Book – 10 Tips Checklist for Authors
Submitting Your Manuscript – 8 Tips
4 Book Marketing Strategies Guaranteed to Keep Your Platform Moving Forward

I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.

OTHER HELP I OFFER:

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.

WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors

You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.