Children’s book publishing company options can look similar at first, but choosing one you can trust is a big decision.
You may be comparing websites, packages, prices, testimonials, timelines, and promises, while wondering: How do I know which children’s book publishing company I can actually trust?
I want you to know that asking this question is a good thing.
Your story matters. Your investment matters. Your rights matter. You deserve to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before you move forward with a publishing company.
I also want to clear up one common misconception right away: paying for professional publishing support is not automatically a red flag.
Different publishing models work differently.
What matters is understanding the model being offered, exactly what you’ll receive, what you’ll own, what the company is promising, and whether the important terms are clear before money changes hands.
In this article, I’ll give you practical questions you can use to evaluate any publishing company—including Miriam Laundry Publishing.
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Children’s Book Publishing Company
How Do You Know If a Children’s Book Publishing Company Is Trustworthy?
When I evaluate a publishing company, I look for clarity.
A trustworthy children’s book publishing company should be able to clearly explain its publishing model, services, costs, timeline, ownership terms, responsibilities, and what happens after the book is published.
You should also be able to ask reasonable questions without feeling uncomfortable for asking them.
I encourage authors to look beyond what a company says about itself too. Look at books it has already published. Ask about its process. Speak with authors who have worked with the company when possible.
Testimonials can be helpful, but you can take your research one step further.
Ask an author:
“How was your experience?”
“What kind of support did you receive?”
“Did the process match what you expected?”
“Were you happy with the quality of your finished book?”
The answers can tell you a great deal.
Quick Takeaway: Trust starts with clarity. You should understand what the company offers before you’re expected to say yes.
Start by Understanding the Publishing Model
Before you compare two publishing companies, make sure you’re comparing the same type of publishing service.
Traditional publishing, self-publishing, and assisted self-publishing operate differently.
With traditional publishing, the publisher takes on the financial responsibility for publishing the book, and the agreement defines the rights, royalties, and responsibilities of each party.
With self-publishing, you take responsibility for assembling and managing the professionals and services needed to publish your book.
Assisted self-publishing provides a package of professional publishing services in exchange for an upfront fee.
These are different arrangements.
That is why I would never compare two publishing offers based on price alone.
First, ask: What publishing model are they offering me?
Then you can start comparing the services, responsibilities, rights, support, and costs within that model.
If you’re still deciding which publishing path fits your goals, start by comparing traditional publishing, self-publishing, and assisted self-publishing.
Quick Takeaway: Before comparing publishing companies, make sure you are comparing the same type of publishing service.
Is Paying a Publishing Company a Red Flag?
No. Paying a publishing company is not automatically a red flag.
It depends on the publishing model.
In assisted self-publishing, you are paying professionals to provide specific publishing services. The more useful question is not simply:
“Am I being asked to pay?”
Ask:
“What exactly am I paying for?”
You might be paying for professional editing, book design, publishing setup, project management, distribution setup, coaching, or other services.
What matters is whether you understand what you are purchasing.
You should know which services are included, which are not, what additional expenses may arise, and what responsibilities remain yours.
You should also understand what happens to your book after those services have been completed.
If you are wondering how assisted self-publishing differs from vanity publishing—and why paying for professional publishing support is not automatically a red flag—I explain the distinction in What Is Assisted Self-Publishing and Why Miriam Laundry Publishing Is Not a Vanity Press.
Quick Takeaway: An upfront investment in a publishing company is not automatically a warning sign. Unclear value, unclear services, or unclear expectations are reasons to ask more questions.
What Exactly Are You Paying For?
The phrase “publishing package” by itself does not tell you very much.
If you are making a significant investment in your book, I encourage you to go deeper.
Ask what the package actually includes.
For example:
Editing: What type of editing will you receive? Is editing completed once, or will there be an opportunity for back-and-forth revisions?
Illustrations: Are illustrations included in the quoted price? If not, what should you expect from the illustration process?
Book design: Who handles the interior layout and cover design?
Production: Which formats will be prepared? Paperback? Hardcover? Ebook?
Publishing setup: Who sets up the book for publication?
Distribution: Where will the book be made available? Does distribution include Amazon, IngramSpark, or other channels?
Professional support: Will you have one person assigned to your project? Will you know whom to contact when you have questions?
Coaching: Will you receive support when you encounter uncertainty or feel stuck during the publishing process?
Timeline: What is the expected schedule, and what could affect it?
Additional expenses: What is not included in the initial price?
What Kind of Support Will You Have During the Publishing Process?
I have seen how important support can be during the publishing journey.
Publishing is not simply a matter of signing an agreement and waiting for a finished book to appear. There are decisions to make throughout the process. There may also be moments when you question yourself or feel unsure about your next step.
Knowing who will guide you through those moments is worth asking about before you begin.
I believe authors should be able to ask these same questions of me. That’s why I have also outlined how pricing and deliverables work at Miriam Laundry Publishing.
Quick Takeaway: You should be able to explain—in your own words—what your investment includes, what it does not include, and what additional costs may arise.
What Should Be Clear Before You Sign?
Excitement is a beautiful part of publishing your first book.
Clarity belongs beside that excitement.
Before you sign a publishing agreement, make sure you understand the important terms of the relationship.
That includes:
- Services and responsibilities
- Total costs and payment terms
- Timelines
- Revision and approval processes
- Ownership and rights
- Royalties or sales proceeds
- Cancellation or termination terms
- What happens after publication
You do not need to pretend you understand something that feels unclear.
Ask questions.
Ask for clarification in writing when appropriate.
If there are terms in a publishing contract you do not understand, consider seeking independent advice from a qualified professional before you sign.
I want authors to feel informed about what they are agreeing to—not simply excited about the possibility of seeing their name on a book cover.
Quick Takeaway: Give yourself the time to understand what you are agreeing to before you sign.
Who Owns Your Book & Your Rights?
Here is one question I wish more children’s book authors would ask before signing:
“When this project is finished and my book is published, who owns it?”
You should understand who controls the manuscript, characters, illustrations, book files, and future uses of the intellectual property.
For a children’s book author, these questions can become especially important.
Your story may begin as a picture book, but perhaps one day you want to explore educational materials, translations, merchandise, another book featuring the same character, or another opportunity you have not even imagined yet.
Your agreement can affect what you are able to do.
I experienced the importance of understanding rights through my own publishing journey with The Big, Bad Bully. That experience reinforced something I now encourage other authors to consider carefully: understand what rights you hold, what rights you are granting, and what those terms mean for the ways you want to use your book.
The goal is not to assume every publishing agreement should look identical.
The goal is to understand your agreement.
You should also understand how money from future book sales works.
Who receives the proceeds from book sales? Are you receiving royalties? If so, how are they calculated? Who is selling the book, and what fees or deductions apply? The answers may vary according to the publishing model.
What matters is knowing the answers before you commit.
Here at Miriam Laundry Publishing, the author retains all the rights and profits from their book. At the end of our time working together, we don’t hold any ownership.
Quick Takeaway: Know what you own, what rights you are granting, and what happens to those rights in the future.
What Does Distribution Actually Mean?
Distribution is one of the areas I see first-time authors misunderstand most often.
An author may hear that a book will receive “bookstore distribution” and picture copies appearing on shelves in bookstores everywhere.
That is not necessarily what distribution means.
A book being available for a retailer or bookstore to order is different from a bookstore choosing to physically stock and promote that book.
Online availability is also an important part of modern book distribution.
So when a publishing company tells you that distribution is included, ask what that means in practical terms.
You might ask:
Where will my book be available for purchase?
Will it be listed through Amazon?
Will it be set up through IngramSpark or another distributor?
Will hardcover distribution be available?
Can bookstores order it?
Does “bookstore availability” mean the book can be ordered, or does it mean physical placement has been arranged?
What does “global distribution” mean within this particular offer?
Is library availability included?
Do not be afraid to ask someone to explain industry terminology in plain language.
You deserve to understand what those words mean for your book.
Quick Takeaway: When you hear “distribution,” ask what that means in practical terms for your specific book.
What Does Marketing Support Actually Mean?
“Marketing support” can mean very different things from one publishing company to another.
That makes it another phrase worth unpacking before you sign.
Ask:
What specific marketing activities are included?
Who is responsible for each activity?
When does the marketing support begin?
How long does it continue?
What will I still be responsible for as the author?
Are additional marketing services available at another cost?
Are any particular marketing results being promised?
I believe realistic expectations are important here.
A company can tell you which services it will provide. It can explain its process and help you understand your responsibilities.
That is different from guaranteeing a particular number of book sales or another outcome that depends on many factors beyond a publishing company's control.
The same principle applies when you receive marketing or promotional offers for your book. Knowing what is actually being offered can help you make a more informed decision. I share more questions to consider in How to Spot Book Promotion Scams (and What Actually Works for Children’s Book Authors).
Quick Takeaway: Marketing support should be clear enough that you understand what the company will do, what you will be responsible for, and what results should not be guaranteed.
Publishing Red Flags & Green Flags
When authors hear the phrase “publishing red flags,” it can create the impression that you need to approach every publishing conversation expecting something to go wrong.
I prefer another approach.
Think of a red flag as a reason to ask another question.
Then pay attention to the answer.
Here are some examples:
Reason to Ask More Questions | What to Look for Instead |
|---|---|
Vague deliverables | Clearly documented services |
Unexpected or unexplained costs | Transparent pricing and exclusions |
Pressure to decide immediately | Time and space to ask questions |
Unclear ownership | Rights addressed clearly in writing |
Guaranteed outcomes | Realistic expectations |
Broad “marketing” promises | Specific marketing deliverables |
Important verbal promises only | Material terms documented in writing |
Avoiding difficult questions | A willingness to answer openly |
I would also look at the company's previous work.
You are hiring professionals to help create a book. Look at the books they have already helped produce.
- Are you happy with their quality?
- Does the design look professional?
- Do the illustrations and finished books reflect the standard you want for your own work?
- Then look at the human side of the experience.
- Will you have an account manager, author coach, project manager, or another person you can speak with regularly?
- Will you know whom to contact when questions arise?
I consider that level of support a valuable green flag.
Publishing a book involves much more than completing a checklist. Doubt and uncertainty may show up along the way. Having someone who can guide you through the process can make a meaningful difference.
Quick Takeaway: A red flag tells you where to ask another question. A green flag shows you how a company responds when you do.
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Children’s Book Publishing Company
There’s a lot to consider, and I don’t expect you to remember every question in this article when you sit down for a publishing conversation.
That is why I created a simple resource:
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Children’s Book Publishing Company
Take this checklist with you when you evaluate any publishing company—including Miriam Laundry Publishing.
I don’t want you to choose a publishing partner simply because someone tells you, “Trust me.”
I want you to have the questions that help you evaluate the answers for yourself.
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Children’s Book Publishing Company
Miriam’s 3 Takeaways
If you remember only three things from this article, remember these.
Takeaway 1
Understand the offer before you evaluate the price.
A number by itself does not tell you whether a publishing service provides the right value for you.
First understand the publishing model, services, professional support, ownership, distribution, responsibilities, timeline, and additional expenses.
Then you can evaluate the investment in context.
Takeaway 2
Give yourself permission to ask difficult questions.
Your book matters.
Your investment matters.
And so do your rights.
You are allowed to ask detailed questions about all three.
A professional publishing company should be willing to help you understand what you are agreeing to.
Takeaway 3
Trust is built through clarity, not promises.
You do not need promises of huge sales or overnight success to feel confident about a publishing partner.
Look for transparency, realistic expectations, and clearly defined responsibilities. Then review the quality of the company’s previous work and, when possible, speak with authors who have experienced its process.
Most importantly, notice what happens when you ask questions.
The right publishing partner should not be afraid of your questions—they should help you understand the answers.
Miriam Answers Your Most Common Questions
How do I know if a publishing company is legitimate or trustworthy?
A legitimate, trustworthy publishing company should be able to clearly explain its services, pricing, publishing model, ownership terms, agreement, timeline, and expectations.
Look beyond the promises on a website too.
Review books the company has previously published. Ask how its process works. Find out who will support you during your project. When possible, speak with authors who have worked with the company and ask about their experiences.
Most importantly, ask questions and notice how the company responds.
Transparency is something you should be able to see in the details.
Is it normal to pay a publishing company?
It depends on the publishing model. Paying for professional services is part of an assisted self-publishing model, while traditional publishing operates differently.
That means payment itself is not enough information to decide whether an offer is appropriate for you.
Ask what the investment covers, what is excluded, what you will own, what responsibilities you will have, and whether additional costs may arise.
The better question is: “What exactly am I paying for?”
What are the biggest red flags when choosing a publishing company?
Publishing company red flags include unclear costs, vague deliverables, unclear ownership terms, important promises that are not documented, guarantees involving outcomes outside the company's control, and reluctance to answer reasonable questions.
A red flag does not always give you the entire answer—it gives you a place to investigate further.
Ask another question, request clarification, and give yourself the space to understand the response before deciding what to do next.
What questions should I ask before signing with a publisher?
Before signing a publishing agreement, ask about the publishing model, total investment, included services, additional expenses, ownership and rights, distribution, marketing, timeline, author responsibilities, revisions, approvals, cancellation terms, and realistic expectations after publication.
You should understand both what the publishing company is responsible for and what you are responsible for.
For an easy way to bring these questions into your next conversation
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Children’s Book Publishing Company
How can I compare two children’s book publishing companies?
Compare two children’s book publishing companies using the same criteria rather than comparing price alone.
Look at:
- Publishing model
- Included services
- Professional support
- Ownership and rights
- Distribution
- Marketing support
- Transparency
- Timeline
- Previous books and author experiences
- Total investment
For example, one company might provide a single round of editing, while another offers a more collaborative editing process. You may also find that one company gives you a central person to contact, while another expects you to manage different providers yourself. Distribution services can vary too.
Their prices only begin to make sense once you understand those differences.
This is why I encourage you to compare the entire publishing experience—not simply the number at the bottom of a proposal.
The best choice is not necessarily the least expensive or the most expensive. It is the publishing path and partner whose services, expectations, and values make sense for your goals.
Choosing a publishing company is an important decision, but you do not need to make it based on promises alone.
Ask questions.
Read carefully.
Look at the company's work.
Understand your rights.
Know what you are paying for.
Give yourself permission to evaluate the answers.
When you have that clarity, you are in a much stronger position to choose the publishing path that makes sense for you, your story, and the children you hope to reach.