What Happens After You Write Your First Children’s Book?

You did it. You pulled your hands away from the keyboard, stared at the screen (maybe a little teary-eyed), and whispered, “I actually wrote it.” You finished your children’s book draft. That is no small thing. In fact, it’s a huge thing. So take a minute. Sit with it. Celebrate it.

But then the big questions sink in: 

What comes next? 

How do I get my manuscript off my computer and into the hands of readers? 

What about illustrations? Formatting? Publishing?

Before you spiral, just know this mix of “I’m so proud” and “I have no idea what I’m doing” is completely normal. The truth is, not everyone is going to take the exact same path to publishing their book, but I’m here to walk you through the natural next steps after writing your children’s book. 

You’ve gotten the story out of your head and onto the page. Now it's time to figure out what to do with it. 

The Next Steps After Writing Your Children’s Book Draft

• Read Your Draft
• Revise with Purpose
• Get Outside Feedback
• Look for Illustrators
• Think About Publishing Options 

Read Your Draft

That’s right—just read it! No pen, no highlighter, just you and your draft. 

Start by reading it all the way through from beginning to end—maybe even a couple of times. But I don’t want you to read it as the writer… read it like your audience would.

Think: 

Does the story flow? 

Does it make sense? 

Would it keep a child’s attention?

Your goal right now isn’t to fix anything. You are simply absorbing the material. After you’ve read it a couple of times, step away from it for a few days. Let your brain reset so that when you come back to it, you can see it with clear eyes and a new perspective. 

Revise With Purpose

Once you’ve stepped away for a few days, come back to your draft ready to revise. This time, you’re not just reading—you’re shaping. 

• Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end? 
• Is there anything that could be better shown through an illustration rather than text?
• Are there areas that could be simplified or clarified?

Being able to come back with fresh eyes allows you to look at it from an objective perspective and figure out what your book really needs to flourish. You can use our free Editing Checklist to guide you through this process. You’ll learn how to look at your manuscript from a bird's-eye view, zoom in on the little details, and ensure the copy is clean. 

Get Outside Feedback

There will come a time when you’ve done all you can do on your own. When you’ve reached that point, it’s time for a fresh take. 

Letting an editor read your story can feel vulnerable, but they can offer insight you might not have seen before. They will be able to look at your children’s book from a completely different perspective and help you identify areas to strengthen or clarify. 

You do not have to take every suggestion from an editor, but it’s important to be open to the feedback they offer. Remember, they’re only wanting to help get your story to its best version. 

Look for Illustrators

While you can certainly shop around for illustrators whenever you want, it is best to wait until the final revision is underway. This helps prevent extra back-and-forth and ensures your illustrator isn’t making changes to artwork based on edits that haven’t been finalized yet. 

For now, you can start thinking about what kinds of illustrations will best support your story: 

• What tone and emotion do you want the artwork to convey?
• Do you prefer a soft, whimsical style or something bold and playful?

Visit your local library or bookstore to get inspired by other picture books. You can also start reaching out to illustration agencies, browse portfolios online, or even reach out to local colleges. You never know when there might be a talented student looking for a project like yours. 

Think About Publishing Options

Once the writing and editing are done, it’s time to publish. Publishing is what takes the story from hiding in your desk drawer to becoming accessible to readers everywhere. You’ll need to decide how to publish (self, traditional, hybrid). Each publishing option has its pros and cons, and the right choice usually depends on your goals, timeline, and budget. Weigh each of your options and choose the path that feels best for you. 

Self: This option will involve you handling everything on your own—from the editing to the printing. You will also be responsible for all the up-front costs. 

Traditional: You’ll submit your book to publishing houses, and if they accept your book, they’ll handle the illustrating, editing, and printing at no cost to you. 

Hybrid: This is a happy medium between self-publishing and traditional publishing. For an upfront fee, a hybrid publisher will help you publish your book. You won’t have all the responsibilities, but you still get creative freedom. 

Want help with every step from start to finish? 

We always want to make sure you feel supported through every draft, every question, and every stage of your publishing journey. That’s why everything we create, from our emails and blogs to our courses and programs, is designed to give you clear, encouraging guidance.

If you are ready to have a published hard copy of your book in your hands, Publishing Mastermind was made for you. It is your chance to write, publish, and launch your book into the market, with support every step of the way.  

Interested in joining?

FAQs

What next steps should I follow after writing my children’s book? 

After finishing your draft, you should read it from your audience’s perspective, revise with purpose using our free editor’s checklist, get outside feedback from an editor, look for illustrators, and explore publishing options that align with your goals. 

What types of publishing options are there for children’s books?

There are three main publishing paths: self (where you manage all parts of the process), traditional (where a publisher handles all parts of the process), and hybrid (where it’s a blend of both). Each option has its pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them carefully. 

Do you offer support on every step of the publishing process? 

We sure do! We offer two programs depending on your needs and timeline. Children’s Book Masterclass (CBM) is a self-paced program available year-round. It walks you through the entire roadmap to write, illustrate, and publish your book. Publishing Mastermind (PMM) is a live, step-by-step experience offered at select times of the year. Throughout this program, we will guide you through the entire process, and you will leave holding your book in your hands!