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Our services

Children's Book Writing and Publishing Services

Bringing little stories to life, one page at a time.

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We use your details only to reply to this request and prepare your quote. We do not sell or share them. No obligation.

About this service

A children's book has to work for two readers at once: the child who is listening and the adult who is reading aloud for the hundredth time. Our children's book writing and publishing services help you shape a story that fits its age group, pair it with illustrations that match, and publish it as a book families will keep.

A children's book is a partnership between words and pictures, and the two have to be planned together. We help you shape the story for its age group, settle on the characters and visual style, coordinate the illustrator page by page, and lay out the finished book for print and screen. Our general publishing process applies here too, with extra stages for character design, illustration and artwork review.

You may only need part of this. If your text is finished and you simply want it illustrated and published, we skip the writing stage. If you have an idea but no words yet, we start with story development through our book writing service. Every manuscript, however short, benefits from an edit that checks the read-aloud rhythm before illustration begins, because changing text after the art is drawn means redrawing the art.

Picture books are sold to parents, teachers and librarians as much as to children, so the launch plan is different from an adult novel. Our marketing team can help you reach those audiences, and the print decisions for hardcover picture books are explained on our publishing services page.

Who this is for

  • Parents and grandparents with a story they tell at bedtime and want to keep forever
  • Teachers, therapists and professionals who want a book that helps children with something specific
  • First time authors with a finished text who need illustrations and publishing
  • Authors planning a series who want a consistent look from book one

What our children's book writing and publishing services include

Story and creative direction

We review your idea or manuscript and shape it for the target age, from board books to middle grade, including word count, structure and read-aloud rhythm.

Character and style development

We help you brief an illustrator, review character sketches and settle on a visual style before the full book is drawn.

Illustration coordination

We manage the illustration schedule, page by page, and make sure the pictures and the words tell the same story.

Book layout and typesetting

Page design that balances text and art, with the correct trim sizes and bleed for print and a version that works on screens.

Publishing preparation

Print-ready files, cover design, ISBNs and metadata, prepared to each platform's requirements.

Final delivery and publishing

Your book published in print and eBook, in your name, with every file handed over.

How it works

Step by step, with your approval at every stage.

01

01. Share your story

Tell us about your story, characters, target age group and the style you have in mind.

02

02. Story and creative direction

We review your manuscript and develop the visual direction, including character concepts, settings, color palette and illustration style.

03

03. Character and style development

The main characters and a consistent visual style are agreed before moving into the full book.

04

04. Illustration and page design

Each scene is illustrated and laid out, with engaging, expressive artwork and carefully designed pages.

05

05. Revisions and refinement

You review the artwork and give feedback. We refine the illustrations and layouts until everything feels right.

06

06. Book layout and typesetting

Illustrations and text are combined into professionally designed pages for both print and digital formats.

07

07. Publishing preparation

Final files are prepared to publishing requirements, including print-ready interiors, cover design and digital editions.

08

08. Final delivery and publishing

Your completed book is delivered in publication-ready formats and published through your chosen platforms.

What you control

  • The story, the characters and the message
  • The illustration style and every piece of artwork, approved at sketch and final stage
  • Your rights to the text and, by agreement with the illustrator, the artwork
  • The publication date and whether to add marketing

What is not included

  • The illustrator's work, which is agreed separately based on the number of pages and the style
  • Proof and author copies from the printer, or advertising spend
  • Educational curriculum alignment or expert review for therapeutic books, unless arranged separately
  • Animation, apps or merchandise

Anything not listed as included is quoted separately. See our Refund and Cancellation Policy for what happens if plans change.

How quotes work

We do not publish prices. Every project is quoted in writing after a free consultation, because every book is different. The quote lists exactly what is included and what is not, and it does not change unless you change the scope. There is no obligation to go ahead.

Read our Refund and Cancellation Policy for what happens if you change your mind, and the quote and payment questions on our FAQ page.

Common mistakes to avoid

Writing for the wrong age

A 2,000 word picture book or a board book with long sentences will not find its readers. Word count, vocabulary and structure must match the age group.

Illustrating before the text is final

Changing a sentence after the page is painted can mean repainting the page. Finalise and edit the text first.

Unclear rights with the illustrator

Without a written agreement, you may not have the right to print or sell the book with its own pictures. Agree the rights before the first sketch.

Inconsistent characters

A character whose face changes from page to page breaks the spell. Character sheets, agreed up front, keep every page consistent.

Choosing a format too early

Hardcover, colour and trim size each have trade-offs for a picture book. Understand them before deciding.

How long it takes

Illustrated books take time because art cannot be rushed. Many picture books take around 3 to 6 months, depending on the number of illustrations and how quickly feedback comes back.

Common questions

We work with illustrators in a range of styles and can match you with one, or we can coordinate an illustrator you already have. Either way, you approve sketches before the full artwork is made.

Board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books and middle grade. Each has its own word count and format, and we shape the story to fit.

That is agreed in writing with the illustrator before work starts. We make sure the agreement gives you the rights you need to publish and sell the book.

Yes. If you have an idea but no text, our writers can develop the story with you, in the same way as our book writing service.

More answers on the FAQ page.

Related services

  • Book Writing Services — Turn your ideas, expertise or life story into a finished manuscript, written from your voice and owned by you.
  • Manuscript Editing Services — Developmental editing, line editing, copyediting and proofreading, with tracked changes and plain-English feedback.
  • Self Publishing Services — Cover design, interior formatting, ISBNs and distribution for paperback, hardcover, eBook and audiobook, in your name.
We are curious to learn more

Tell us about your children's book

Share where your project stands and what you want for it. We reply with honest advice and a written quote, with no obligation.

What the free consultation includes

  • A short call or email exchange about your book and your goals
  • Honest advice on which services fit, and which ones you do not need
  • A written quote with what is included and what is not
  • No payment details asked for, and no obligation to go ahead

Ready when you are

Start with a free consultation about children's books. No pressure, no payment details, just a conversation about your book.

Quotes are written and carry no obligation. Please read our Refund and Cancellation Policy before you pay.

We use your details only to reply to this request and prepare your quote. We do not sell or share them. No obligation.