How to Make Money with Writing Children’s Books

Wondering if you could turn your love for storytelling into a profitable venture? Writing children’s books is a delightful way to do just that. But how does one go from jotting down ideas to earning a living? Let's explore practical steps to help you make money through the magical world of children's literature.

Understanding Your Audience

Before pen meets paper, it’s crucial to understand who you're writing for. Are you crafting tales for toddlers or budding tween readers? Knowing your target age group shapes the language, themes, and length of your book. If you nail this, you're one step closer to a successful writing career.

Consider what captivates your young audience. Are they into adventure, fairy tales, or educational stories? Tap into topics that resonate with their everyday experiences, sparking both imagination and engagement.

Crafting Captivating Stories

Good stories linger in the hearts of readers. When writing for children, simplicity and clarity are key. Use words that are easy to understand but packed with meaning. Create characters they can root for and scenarios that are relatable yet intriguing.

Think of your story as a puzzle; each piece—characters, setting, plot—must fit perfectly. Build tension and resolution in a way that thrills and satisfies your young readers, keeping them waiting eagerly for the next page.

Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

Choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing can significantly impact your earnings. Self-publishing gives you full control over your book's content, cover, and pricing. However, it also means you'll handle all the marketing yourself. On the upside, your royalties are generally higher.

Traditional publishing offers the benefit of expert guidance and a wider distribution network, but it’s highly competitive with lower royalty margins. Examine your goals, resources, and patience level to determine which path suits you best.

Marketing Your Book

Writing a great book is only half the battle. Successful marketing turns readers into buyers. Leverage social media platforms to connect directly with your audience and build a loyal community. Share snippets of your stories and illustrations to pique interest.

Start a blog to discuss topics related to children’s literature. Engage your audience with behind-the-scenes looks into your writing process. And don’t shy away from offering your book as an eBook or paperback on platforms like Amazon, where many children’s authors find success.

Networking and Building Relationships

Networking isn't just for corporate folks—it’s vital for writers too. Attend literary events, join writing groups, and participate in online forums. Connecting with other writers, illustrators, and publishers can open doors to opportunities you couldn’t access alone.

Reach out to local schools and libraries. Offering to host workshops or story sessions can boost your visibility and credibility. The more people know about your book, the greater the chances of turning your passion into profit.

Diversifying Your Income Stream

Besides book sales, there are other ways to monetize your writing skills. Consider selling ancillary products like audiobooks, merchandise, or even teaching writing courses. Licensing your characters for toys or animated series can also create lucrative opportunities.

Another route is freelance writing. Many educational publishers seek writers for children’s content, offering steady work that complements your book-writing endeavors.

Final Thoughts

Making money from writing children's books isn't just a dream. With creativity, determination, and strategy, you can turn your stories into a successful business. Keep honing your craft, engage actively with your audience, and explore all avenues for growth. Your passion for storytelling might just be the key to a rewarding career both creatively and financially.

Embrace the journey and watch your tales come to life, not just in the pages of a book, but in the world of delighted young readers everywhere.

Platforms and Apps

Here’s a list of the top 10 platforms and apps for writing and publishing children’s books, perfect for starting a side hustle in Canada. These platforms offer tools and resources to help you write, illustrate, and distribute your work to a broad audience.

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon KDP is one of the most popular platforms for self-publishing children's books. It offers a user-friendly interface for uploading and formatting books and provides a vast distribution network. You can publish eBooks and paperback versions, making it ideal for both new and experienced authors.

Potential Earnings: $2 - $10+ per book, with up to 70% royalty on eBooks
Website: KDP

2. Blurb

Blurb is a self-publishing platform that specializes in high-quality, full-color print books, making it perfect for picture-heavy children’s books. Blurb also offers a range of tools to design your book and reach various marketplaces.

Potential Earnings: Varies by pricing; Blurb’s BookWright tool allows you to control production costs
Website: Blurb

3. IngramSpark

IngramSpark offers print-on-demand and distribution services, making it a great option for authors looking to reach libraries and bookstores in addition to online sales. The platform provides tools to publish both eBooks and physical copies of your children’s books.

Potential Earnings: Varies by sales channel; typically 45-70% of retail price
Website: IngramSpark

4. Lulu

Lulu is a print-on-demand platform that supports self-publishing for authors who want control over book design, format, and distribution. It’s a great option for illustrated children’s books, as it offers a wide range of paper types and formats.

Potential Earnings: Varies by book type; print books have customizable profit margins
Website: Lulu

5. Wattpad

Wattpad is a storytelling platform where writers can share stories and gain readers. While it's primarily for serialized fiction, children's book authors can also build an audience by posting stories. Wattpad can be a helpful platform for feedback and gaining a following.

Potential Earnings: Primarily exposure-based, with some monetization options via the Wattpad Stars program
Website: Wattpad

6. StoryJumper

StoryJumper is specifically designed for creating children’s books. It offers easy-to-use templates, illustration tools, and voice narration options. You can publish your book for free and order physical copies or sell it through the platform’s online store.

Potential Earnings: Varies; you earn a percentage of book sales made through the StoryJumper platform
Website: StoryJumper

7. Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble Press is a self-publishing service from the popular bookstore. You can publish eBooks and paperback versions of your children’s books, with the option to sell directly on the Barnes & Noble website. This is a good platform for U.S. and Canadian audiences.

Potential Earnings: 40-65% royalties on eBooks and print-on-demand paperbacks
Website: Barnes & Noble Press

8. Apple Books

Apple Books offers a self-publishing platform for authors to publish eBooks for iPhone, iPad, and Mac readers. If your target audience includes tech-savvy parents who prefer digital books, Apple Books can be a great option.

Potential Earnings: Up to 70% royalties on eBook sales
Website: Apple Books

9. Reedsy

Reedsy is a marketplace connecting authors with professional editors, designers, and illustrators. While Reedsy isn’t a publishing platform itself, it can help you create a professional-quality children’s book and prepare it for distribution on other platforms.

Potential Earnings: Varies; depends on the success of your book on sales channels like KDP, IngramSpark, etc.
Website: Reedsy

10. Ko-fi

Ko-fi is a creator support platform where you can sell digital copies of your books directly to your fans or supporters. It’s a good option if you want to self-publish and control pricing and distribution, especially if you have an existing fan base or social media following.

Potential Earnings: Varies by sales; no fees on payments through Ko-fi, allowing for flexible pricing
Website: Ko-fi

These platforms provide Canadian authors with many options to start a children’s book side hustle. Whether you prefer the broad reach of Amazon and IngramSpark or the creative tools of StoryJumper and Blurb, each platform offers unique benefits for publishing, promoting, and selling your children’s books. With the right platform and marketing strategy, you can turn your creative ideas into a profitable side hustle in children’s literature.