How to publish a picture book - advice from a professional children's author

[@oliverlalor5135]

I had just listened to a lady cover the same topic in a video and her verbal barrage tortured my brain. Such a difference to listen to a real communicator. You could tell me to go to hell in such a way that I would actually look forward to the trip. Well done.

[@shooraynerdrawing]

lol - thank you !

[@tomorrowkiddo]

You are the personification of delightfulness. Now, to watch ALL of your videos and join you in that merry (lots of work) world.

[@shooraynerdrawing]

Than k you so much!

[@johnh1191]

Brilliant as usual. I am now depressed, and on my way out to buy a lottery ticket. lol.

[@LaurenABoden]

Haha! I felt the same way when he said that!

[@MadisontheLawyeringArtist]

How likable, what a warm guy! And good insight.

[@andreahopeorg]

Thanks for the information. And you have such a lovely demeanour; it was a pleasure to watch.

[@ashleymartinez906]

This was great...love your sense of humor too lol!

[@BulletproofGOAT]

Would love a video about writing for middle grade children.

[@lenkatricky]

Thanks for sharing! couldn't find any such information anywhere else, really appreciated!

[@DragonsFlameMagic]

I pre ordered Pandora for my niece. Thanks for these videos

[@michaelshaw2576]

Very informative videos- thank you! Favorite part: 18:58

[@elizabethroberts2036]

"ARE YOU GOING TO BE RICH AND FAMOUS?? - no" HAHAHAHA this is amazing :)

[@salt6831]

Oh shoot! I didn't realize how old this video was. I guess you're down to your very last copy on Amazon, very cool.

[@PartyCreate]

So good. Thanks so much for the info!

[@shooraynerdrawing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brilawyer6268]

Thank you for your videos! I'm writing my first book and need all the help I can get to learn the process of publishing. So as an unknown first time author, going through a publisher would help make my book more successful than trying to publish it myself?

[@MikeKleinsteuber]

Nice info so thanks. What form of marketing have you found most useful for illustration led books ?

[@salt6831]

I don't believe you mentioned why you decided to try self-publishing? Was it just to try, or were you facing struggles with publishing companies? I'm not trying to be rich, I'll probably try a couple books, though it's not my lifelong career choice. It's just one of the many things I'd like to do, whether I suck at it or not, haha. Is going through the traditional publishing/agent path the best choice for a novice?

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

He said it was because getting a book published in the UK is a 3 to 4-year process, and he wanted the book out asap. 🙂

[@teedtad2534]

Make it simple step by step!

[@shooraynerdrawing]

I'll bear that in mind!

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

Congratulations on publishing your book! That is so cool, especially after working on it for so long. It must be a great story! Would you mind sharing how you did the pdf file? How did you put the actual illustrations in? I have been doing my own books for about 3 years now using Scrivener. Recently a friend agreed to do handrawn illustrations for a kids story I wrote few years ago. I know how to format books more or less but never done a picture book for kids and not sure how to go about inserting the illustrations. If they are done on a computer from the begining it's easier I guess but how do I go about if they're hand drawn on actual paper? I was thinking once she sends them to me to scan them but not sure if it's the best way...another way would be to take photos of them but worried I might lose quality. Any suggestions? It may be a silly questions but here it is, I have to ask it. I'm also using Amazon KDP to publish my books as well. I've done a photographic book before to showcase my father's sculpture, but never a picture book so I'm excited to see how it will come out. ☺ Congratulations again on your book! Sounds fun. I might get a copy part call it research, part call it for the love of storytelling. 🤗

[@MrsTurtle23]

Did you ever get an answer to this question?

[@dawsdawson9589]

I used photoshop to change my book into a PDF file

[@AllanEngelhardt0]

Thank you. Informative, engaging, and inspired, as usual from you.

[@jessenia2622]

Great video thank you, where could I find great book designers? Thanks

[@shooraynerdrawing]

Good question! Unfortunately I don't have an answer 🙄

[@clay_the_author]

Love the part on editing, thank you.

[@kaitlynh5356]

I have a friend who has written a book and wants me to illustrate her book, but she wants to go the in house publishing route. My question is, can I be her illustrator if she wants to publish from an actual publishing house, how long would it take, or would you recommend for us to go the self-publishing route. She also wants to get her books published relatively soon. What do you suggest?

[@shooraynerdrawing]

A mainstream publisher would generally want to choose an illustrator for a text - unless you have come up with something great together already - either way you should deal with the publisher for your own deal and rights - unless you work as an official business partnership. Trad publishing can take years! Self publishing is as quick as you can do it. Then you would have to work out a deal between you. Self publishing is hard work just to make the book - then the really hard work of marketing and selling starts. If you re new to this, then I'd ask for a fee. Then you are not invested in having to try and flog someone else book when it turns out hard to sell. Most self published books sell under 100 copies. Its hard! Join SCBWI.org :)

[@spicysworld9701]

Hello Shoo Rayner can you recommend any agent to me who can help me publish my books?

[@shooraynerdrawing]

No, sorry, I don't use one!

[@bggracekelly]

How did your book do on the market? How many have you written?

[@NC-ij9rb]

I’m an illustrator from the Philippines. I feel attacked 😂😂😂

[@shooraynerdrawing]

why so?

[@dadasese69]

Very sarcastic presentation... I am sad for you lots in UK sel publishing a book.

[@keithtarrier4558]

Lots of good advice... especially about the $5 illustrators... not that I am much better at illustration though.

[@blooming6806]

Have you had any experience of success working with these 'facilitators'?

[@shooraynerdrawing]

If you mean Lightning Source, yes, I've had the success in that I've achieved what I expected and required from them. That doesn't mean I've sold millions. Very Very few children's books are successful and very very few self published books sell more than a hundred copies.

[@behuman3801]

Is this guy discouraging and mocking first time humble writers. I couldn’t watch beyond 5 min

[@shooraynerdrawing]

not at all - just letting you know what the business is like. Writing for work is different to writing for writing's sake or even for art's sake.

[@behuman3801]

Shoo Rayner ok thank you

[@behuman3801]

Shoo Rayner why don’t you become a publisher and help us all publish our books

[@MixoDawn]

This video is very discouraging 😕