Common Childrens Book Publishing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common Childrens Book Publishing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them usually come down to skipping basics: writing for the wrong age, formatting incorrectly, over-directing illustrations, or rushing submission and proofreading. If you slow down, follow industry standards, and make clear choices about traditional vs self-publishing, you can avoid expensive fixes and create a book that reads well for kids and adults. ## What are the most common children’s book publishing mistakes? Most problems happen in three places: the manuscript, the production files, and [the publishing path you choose](https://kibbi.ai/post/traditional-vs-self-publishing-for-childrens-books-which-fits-you). The good news is that each issue is preventable with a simple checklist and a bit of planning. - **Writing for the wrong age group** (vocabulary, themes, length, pacing) - **Overwriting** and leaving no room for the illustrator to tell part of the story - **Too many characters** for a short format like a picture book - **A lecturing tone** that reads like a parenting lesson instead of a story - **Confusing manuscript formatting with book layout formatting** - **Ignoring standard picture book structure** (page turns, 32-page expectations) - **Incorrect trim size, bleed, margins, or image resolution** for print - **Submitting without following guidelines** (or using a weak query letter) - **Not understanding contracts and rights** before signing - **Skipping proofing steps**, leading to typos in the printed book ## How do I avoid writing a book that doesn’t fit my child’s age? Start by choosing one clear reader age range, then match your length, language, and complexity to that range. A beautiful idea can miss if it lands at the wrong developmental level. - **Picture books (read-aloud, typically ages 3–7):** tight text, strong page turns, illustrations do major storytelling work - **Early readers (roughly ages 5–8):** controlled vocabulary, short sentences, repetition, clear layout - **Chapter books (roughly ages 6–9):** short chapters, straightforward plot, consistent characters - **Middle grade and up:** can follow more complex plots and longer arcs If you are unsure, read 20 recent books in the category you want and compare: word count, sentence length, humor, and how much the pictures carry the meaning. ## What’s the difference between manuscript formatting and book formatting? **Manuscript formatting** is what you use to submit to agents or traditional publishers. **Book formatting** is the print-ready layout file used for self-publishing or printing. - **Manuscripts:** usually Letter or A4, 1-inch margins, simple font (commonly 12pt), double-spaced, clean and readable - **Book layout files:** built to a trim size, with bleed, safe margins, high-res images, and exported as print-ready PDFs A common mistake is trying to make the submission manuscript look like a finished picture book. For traditional publishing, keep it professional and plain unless guidelines say otherwise. ## Why do picture books so often end up “too wordy” and how can I fix that? Picture book authors often try to describe what the illustrations could show. That makes pages feel crowded and slows read-aloud pacing. - Cut descriptions of what a child can see in the art (colors, room details, outfits) unless it changes the story. - Replace explanations with action and choice: what the character does next is usually more interesting than what they notice. - Read the manuscript aloud at a natural bedtime pace. If you run out of breath, it is a trim signal. If you need illustration notes, keep them rare and practical, used only when the plot depends on something not stated in the text. ## What are the biggest formatting mistakes when [self-publishing a children’s book](https://kibbi.ai/post/9-self-publishing-mistakes-children-s-book-authors-make-and-easy-fixes)? For illustrated books, production settings matter. Fixing them after the fact can cost time and money, and can lead to disappointing proof copies. - **Choosing trim size too late:** pick trim size and orientation before final art. - **Incorrect bleed setup:** if art runs to the edge, your file needs bleed throughout. - **Text too close to the edge or gutter:** use safe margins so nothing gets trimmed or swallowed by binding. - **Low-resolution images:** aim for print-quality artwork (commonly 300 dpi at final size). - **Exporting the wrong PDF settings:** confirm page size, bleed, and page order before uploading. Many picture books target 32 pages, and print is usually planned in page-count multiples (often 8). Planning page turns early prevents frantic restructuring later. ## Do I need to hire an illustrator before I query agents or publishers? No, you typically do not need an illustrator to query agents or traditional publishers. Traditional publishers usually match accepted manuscripts with illustrators and art directors. If you are self-publishing, you will need illustration files before final layout. Either way, keep your submission materials focused on the story, not on a fully designed “mock book” unless requested. ## How do I avoid submission mistakes that get manuscripts rejected quickly? Agents and editors often reject submissions that show a lack of industry awareness. You can avoid this by treating guidelines like a checklist, not a suggestion. - Submit only what is requested (file type, word count, sample pages, synopsis). - Use standard manuscript formatting unless told otherwise. - Keep the query letter clear: what the book is, who it’s for, and what makes it stand out. - Do not over-explain illustration plans or include extensive art notes unless needed for meaning. ## What contract and rights mistakes do first-time authors make? Many authors focus on “getting a yes” and forget to understand what they are granting away. Even if you are excited, read carefully and ask questions. - **Signing without understanding rights:** territory, language, formats (print, ebook, audio) - **Not clarifying royalty and payment terms:** rate, schedule, and what “net” means - **Overlooking deadlines and responsibilities:** revisions, promotion expectations, delivery format If you are unsure, consider professional guidance (such as a literary agent or publishing attorney) before signing. ## Why do typos still show up in printed books and how can I reduce them? Typos slip through because edits can introduce new errors, people read differently on screens than on paper, and typesetting changes how text is perceived. You can reduce mistakes by building in more than one proofing method. - After editing, save one version and accept all changes globally so you can proof a clean file. - Proof in multiple formats: on screen and on paper. - Proof after layout, not just in the manuscript stage. Typesetting can reveal new problems. - Order a physical proof copy before selling widely. ## How do I decide what to do next if I think my project has problems? If you are not sure where the issue is, diagnose it in the order that saves the most work later: audience fit, manuscript quality, then production files. - **If your child loses interest during read-aloud:** shorten text, strengthen page turns, and reduce character count. - **If you are rewriting during layout:** pause formatting and finish editing first. - **If the proof copy looks “off” (trimmed text, muddy images):** recheck bleed, safe margins, and image resolution. - **If you feel stuck on publishing path:** compare goals. Traditional publishing favors patience and submission strategy. Self-publishing favors production skills and marketing planning. A helpful next step is to [create a simple dummy](https://kibbi.ai/post/what-is-a-picture-book-dummy-and-when-do-you-need-it) (even folded paper) to check pacing and page turns before investing more in design or illustration. ## Optional: a gentle way to help kids understand the “work behind a book” Some families find it helpful to turn perseverance, feedback, and revision into a personalized story for their child. You can create one in minutes and try it for free with Kibbi. ## FAQs ### What page count should a picture book be? Most picture books are built around 32 pages, so planning your story to fit that structure usually makes production and pacing easier. ### Should I put page breaks and “spreads” into a picture book manuscript? Usually you can submit as a standard manuscript unless guidelines request otherwise, because page turns and spreads are often decided with the editor and illustrator. ### What’s the single biggest mistake new children’s authors make? The most common mistake is writing too much text and not leaving enough storytelling space for illustrations and page turns. ### Can I format a children’s picture book in Word? You can, but it is often frustrating for image-heavy layouts, so many creators use professional layout software or hire a designer for print-ready files. ### Do I need to chase trends to get published? No, chasing trends is risky because publishing timelines are long, so a story that matters to you and fits the market tends to age better.