Children’s Book Publishing: Why Make a Prototype

Zeroing in on an integral and overlooked part of the book publishing process

Photo by Author

There are a lot of things I would do differently if I were to start the indie publishing process of my children’s book all over again. But there is one thing I did — one thing I really did not want to do — that I am really proud of: I shipped before I was ready.

I was asked to speak at an online networking event for women called Lady Boss Virtual last spring. The talk was less about the actual children’s book publishing process than it was about pursuing my dream to publish a book.

At the time of the event, my book was written, illustrated, designed, packaged into a neat little PDF, and was at the printer being produced.

My book is called Rosie and the Hobby Farm, and there happened to be a woman at the event who owns a hobby farm just 30 minutes away from me. We exchanged information and hopped on FaceTime so I could get a tour of the farm. She insisted that I do a virtual book reading at the farm.

I said I couldn’t — I didn’t have the book yet.

This wonderful woman called me out on my limited belief. She challenged me to think more opportunistically, and the two of us decided that I would do a book reading the following weekend at her farm.