9 Self Publishing Mistakes Children's Book Authors Make and Easy Fixes

## Quick Answer **9 Self Publishing Mistakes Children’s Book Authors Make and Easy Fixes**: Most stumbles come from unclear age targeting, sloppy picture-book layout, weak metadata, and launching without reviews or a plan. Fix it by defining your reader, nailing trim size and bleed, optimizing categories and keywords, and building an ARC team to spark early trust. ## Overview **Indie children’s book pitfalls** are fixable with a few focused moves. Start by knowing exactly who you’re writing for, then format like a pro so your pages sing at storytime. Optimize metadata so parents can actually find you. Finally, plan a simple launch and nurture reviews. Tools and touchpoints help: [KDP and IngramSpark for distribution](https://kibbi.ai/post/kdp-select-or-go-wide-royalties-reach-and-strategy), SCBWI for craft and community, Mailchimp for newsletters, and librarian outreach for discoverability. Keep it simple. Clean pages, a clear hook, and a steady drumbeat of promotion will carry your picture book farther than you think. ## What are the most common self publishing mistakes for children’s book authors? In short: missing the reader, messy pages, and invisible listings. Most issues cluster around these areas: - Age targeting and market fit - Picture-book layout and print specs - Cover, typography, and illustration alignment - Metadata, pricing, and format choices - Reviews, launch cadence, and long-tail marketing ## Step-by-Step Strategy > Small, consistent fixes beat big, one-time pushes. Tidy the basics, then grow. ### Mistake 1: Vague age range and reader promise “For kids” is not a target. Parents shop by age, stage, and vibe. Is this 0-3 for laps and board books? 3-5 for read-aloud rhyme? 6-8 for early readers? If you blur this, your cover, copy, and even font size will miss the mark. **Easy fix:** Pick one band and stick to it: baby-toddler, preschool, early reader, or middle grade. Study comps on KDP and IngramSpark. Note page counts, trim sizes, and hooks for hits by Mo Willems and Eric Carle. Write a one-sentence “read-aloud promise” that says who it’s for and why it delights. ### Mistake 2: Sloppy picture-book layout and trim choices Full-bleed art, gutters, and spreads can go sideways fast. Common errors: art cropped in the gutter, mismatched trims, and page counts not divisible by four. Color POD costs can also surprise you if you don’t plan for them. **Easy fix:** Choose a standard trim early, like 8 x 10, 10 x 8, or 8.5 x 8.5. Design for spreads, mark safe zones, and set bleed correctly. Aim for 28-40 pages, with 32 a classic sweet spot. Order print proofs from KDP and IngramSpark before launch. ### Mistake 3: Unreadable typography and text placement Decorative fonts look cute but can tank readability, especially over busy art. Tiny type, weak color contrast, and cramped lines make caregivers work too hard during storytime. **Easy fix:** Use clear, friendly type and strong contrast. For picture books, 16-24 pt is common. Place text on calm backgrounds or use text boxes thoughtfully. Keep hyphenation minimal. Test on a phone and a print proof to see what real readers see. ### Mistake 4: Cover and illustration mismatch with subgenre If your book is cozy bedtime but your cover screams high-energy adventure, parents will scroll past. Style signals matter: color palette, character scale, title treatment, and mood should match the story’s promise. **Easy fix:** Audit top sellers in your exact niche: bedtime, feelings, dinos, potty training. Mirror the visual language while keeping your twist. Get feedback from parents, teachers, and librarians. Invest in a pro cover that’s legible at thumbnail and irresistible in print. ### Mistake 5: Metadata that hides your book Wrong categories and vague keywords bury great books. If you choose general fiction or miss “Juvenile” BISACs, algorithms will not help you. Parents search “bedtime book for toddlers” and “emotions book for preschool” more than “whimsical tale.” **Easy fix:** Use specific BISACs like JUVENILE FICTION / BEDTIME & DREAMS or SOCIAL THEMES / EMOTIONS & FEELINGS. On KDP, craft search terms parents actually use: “counting book ages 3-5,” “dinosaur picture book,” “mindfulness for kids.” Add series and age bands to subtitles when appropriate. ### Mistake 6: Not testing the read-aloud Clunky page turns, breathless lines, and uneven rhyme can sink a storytime. Kids love repetition and sound play, and adults need a smooth cadence to keep the room with them. **Easy fix:** [Do live read-alouds](https://kibbi.ai/post/how-15-minutes-of-reading-aloud-can-change-everything). Listen for stumbles and sleepy patches. Trim or reline-break so turns land on surprises. Use onomatopoeia, patterns, and echoes to invite kids in. Study masters of page-turn tension like The Gruffalo to sharpen your beats. ### Mistake 7: Launching without reviews or social proof A silent product page spooks buyers. Without early reviews, even a strong book can stall. Waiting until launch day to ask for help is too late. **Easy fix:** Build a small ARC team 4-6 weeks before launch. Include parents, teachers, librarians, and SCBWI critique partners. Provide digital ARCs and a simple review guide. Pitch kidlit bloggers and local booksellers early. Aim for 10-20 quality reviews over the first 30 days. ### Mistake 8: Pricing and format misfires Color POD costs more, and eBooks for picture books work best as fixed layout. Pricing like a novel or skipping print entirely can limit sales, since most caregivers still prefer print for ages 0-7. **Easy fix:** Check comps. [Price color paperbacks competitively](https://kibbi.ai/post/price-anchoring-on-kdp-raise-perceived-value-without-losing-sales) for your trim and page count. Offer hardcover via IngramSpark if your audience values durability. For digital, use fixed-layout ePub for Apple Books and Kobo; keep Kindle files crisp and legible on tablets. ### Mistake 9: “One-week launch, then crickets” Momentum comes from steady touchpoints with caregivers, teachers, and librarians. A single launch post won’t carry you. You need evergreen assets and a simple monthly rhythm. **Easy fix:** Create a teacher guide, coloring pages, and a read-aloud video. Pitch storytimes, school visits, and library displays. Send a short monthly email with a tip for parents and a book mention. Rotate BookBub Ads or small social ads to keep discoverability warm. --- ## Done Looks Like You have a clear age band, a clean 32-page layout in a standard trim, and a cover that matches your subgenre. Your BISACs and keywords speak parent language. You’ve banked 10+ thoughtful reviews and a few librarian quotes. **Your launch plan hums** with storytimes, a teacher guide, and a simple newsletter cadence. ## Common Mistakes and Fixes - **Wobbly rhyme:** If you rhyme, commit to meter. Scan lines, read aloud, or switch to lyrical prose. - **Low-contrast text:** Dark text on light backgrounds wins. Adjust art or add soft boxes behind text. - **ISBN choices:** Use your own if you plan to go wide via IngramSpark; KDP’s free ISBN is fine if staying Amazon-only. - **Website issues:** Don’t market to kids. Aim site content at adults and follow COPPA; collect parent emails only. - **Uncleared kid photos:** Always get written consent for any child images in marketing, even from friends. ## Advanced Tips - **Parent panels:** A/B test covers and subtitles in relevant Facebook groups or with your email list. - **Librarian love:** Create MARC-friendly data and offer a one-sheet with ISBN, trim, age band, and themes. - **Teacher resources:** Add standards-aligned discussion questions and activities to boost classroom adoption. - **Visual SEO:** Pin spreads, activities, and read-aloud clips on Pinterest, where parents plan purchases. - **Steady ads:** Try low-spend BookBub Ads targeting comparable authors for ongoing visibility. ## Implementation Checklist - Define age band, reader promise, and one-sentence hook. - Choose trim size and page count; set bleed and safe zones. - Lock a legible type system and test text contrast on art. - Optimize BISACs, KDP categories, and parent-focused keywords. - Assemble 10-20 ARC readers and schedule review reminders. - Create a teacher guide, coloring sheets, and a read-aloud video. - Order print proofs from KDP and IngramSpark and fix issues. - Set competitive pricing for color print and fixed-layout eBooks. - Pitch 5 libraries, 5 schools, and 3 kidlit bloggers pre-launch. - Plan 8 weeks of simple posts and one newsletter per month. ## FAQs ### Do children’s picture books have to be exactly 32 pages? No, 32 pages is common, not mandatory. Many POD picture books run 28-40 pages. Plan in multiples of four, budget for color print costs, and let your story and pacing drive the final count. ### Do eBooks sell for ages 0-7, or should I focus on print? Print still leads for younger kids, but eBooks move on tablets, especially via Apple Books and Kobo. Offer a fixed-layout eBook alongside print to reach traveling families and classrooms with devices. ### How many illustrations should a picture book include? Most picture books use 12-16 double-page spreads plus a cover and end matter. Focus on clear page turns and visual variety rather than a fixed number. Let key beats earn their own spreads. ### What’s the best way to get early reviews for a children’s book? Recruit an ARC team of parents, teachers, and librarians. Share digital ARCs, offer a simple review guide, and ask for honest, timely feedback. Complement with outreach to kidlit bloggers and local booksellers.