- At Book Launchers, we only work with nonfiction authors.
But as an avid consumer and fan of children's books,
and because every single day someone asks me questions
about how to write, publish, and promote a children's book,
I brought in an expert to help you out.
So if you've got questions
about publishing a children's book, this video is for you.
(bright music)
Hey, there I'm Julie the ^Book Broad from Book Launches.
We're your professional self-publishing team
helping you write, publish, and promote a nonfiction book
that will help you have a huge impact on your readers.
And done right, will also help you grow your brand,
build your business, and make you money.
The best part, you keep all rights and royalties.
To all my YouTube friends
who've asked me about publishing a children's book,
I say, let me know when your book is out,
because I'm always looking for something positive, fun,
and educational to read to my son.
But I personally know nothing
about the actual creation of children's books. (laughs)
So I decided to ask longtime book launchers bestie,
one of the original supporters of this channel,
the guy behind the YouTube channel, Keith Wheeler Books,
to share his tips.
And you know what?
I learned something, I didn't know,
he's published more than 250 books!
I'm not kidding.
And he's written an award winning children's book
and been picked up by traditional publishers
for his children's book he self-published as well.
So much gold from this guy.
So I'm feeling really grateful and excited
I get to share his wisdom with you today.
So please meet Keith Wheeler.
- My pride and joys are my children's picture books.
My books include a series of concept picture books
in the "My Buddy Knows" series.
This is the first book "My Buddy Knows Letters"
and it has received awards and all that other good stuff.
And I also have the "Mimi's Adventure" book,
which actually I self-published,
but then I actually got picked up
by a traditional publisher, so that's super exciting.
- So the first thing I asked Keith
is what are the three tips you'd give
every new children's book author.
Here's what he had to say.
- The three most important tips
that I have for anybody who wants to start out
in children picture books
is number one, don't underestimate the writing.
So many people think that writing a picture book
it's super easy 'cause there's so few words,
but it's actually the contrary.
Because there are so few words,
you need to make sure that each word is super powerful.
My second tip is something that I tried to suggest
to all of my coaching students,
as well as just anybody who wants to get
into the children's picture book arena
is at least for your first few books, try not to rhyme.
I know that one of the initial things that you wanna do,
if you're writing a picture book
is you just hear your story and rhyme.
And I really want to suggest to people
to try to stay away from that.
Rhyming is a lot harder to do than you think.
Yes, it's easy to rhyme a word,
but it's with that rhythmic pattern
that you need to make sure
that even though it sounds right to you,
that when the reader picks up your book,
they're gonna read in that exact same rhythmic pattern.
Because if they don't, then there's gonna be a disconnect
and they're not really gonna be as engaged in your story
as you want them to be.
There's a reason why Dr. Seuss made up so many words
because rhyming really isn't that easy.
And number three,
try not to compare yourself to anyone else.
As much as you may look up to Dr. Seuss
you want that kind of popularity,
don't try to make your book the next Dr. Seuss book,
because if people have the choice between a Dr. Seuss book
and someone that they've never heard of before,
they're always gonna pick Dr. Seuss.
Try to find a way to make you and your books unique
and stand out in the marketplace.
- Let me make sure I've got this straight.
The first tip, and I won't exaggerate,
is you must choose every single word with care
so few words mean extra room just isn't there.
The second tip is avoid the temptation,
just don't even try to rhyme your whole book
or you'll most likely cry.
See, it's a problem. (laughs)
Rhyming words is not very easy,
you'll end up saying silly things like, okay, lemon squeezy.
The final tip was don't try to write green eggs and ham
create your own style, so you don't compete with Sam I am.
(laughs)
Phew, that really was hard. (laughs)
Good tip Keith.
Now, one of the most common questions I get
is where do I hire a writer
or where do I hire an illustrator?
Keith's advice on this is really great.
- Reach out to your fellow authors,
or your fellow illustrators
depending on what type of work you need done.
So if you have your illustrations,
but you don't have that book written,
you don't have the words to go along with it,
then ask other illustrators that you know in the industry
where they go to get those books ghostwritten for them.
And conversely, if you have your manuscript written,
but you don't have the illustrations,
reach out to other authors
and see who they have do their illustrations for them.
Yes, we may be in the same genre,
but there are enough readers out there
that we're not really competing against each other,
and if we help each other rise, then we all will benefit.
Big suggestion I have is to try in any way, shape, or form
to avoid hiring family or friends to do illustrations
or the writing for you.
It just opens the door for so many issues and so much drama.
- And if you don't know other authors,
there are some great groups on Facebook, LinkedIn,
or through groups like the IBPA or the ALLI network,
we're members and supporters of both groups
so I'll link to them below.
And our friend Dale Roberts with Self-Publishing With Dale
has a great Facebook group as well
so I'll link to that below too.
I wrapped up the video
by asking Keith to share the biggest surprise
or the coolest thing that's come
from being a children's book author.
And he said the impact on his audience
and shared this really cool story.
- Quick story time.
I actually received a video from a reader,
and it was a video of her with her son who has autism.
And the video was her talking
about how much he was enjoying,
not only learning his letters,
but how much he enjoyed the character Buddy in the book.
And then it came to the part
where he actually was speaking directly to the camera,
speaking directly to me,
telling me how much he loved that character.
That right there, there is no price to put on that.
- Thank you so much for sharing
this great advice with us, Keith.
To connect with Keith,
you must go to his YouTube channel,
Keith Wheeler Books, and subscribe,
and make sure you say hello on his latest video.
You can also find him on social media @kwheelerbooks.
Like this video?
Please smash that thumbs up button as a thank you to Keith,
and go ahead and post your questions and comments below.
Keith is a regular Book Launchers bestie
so he'll be here to answer your questions, I just know it.
And when you comment the day of video is released,
you'll be entered to win some sweet book launcher swag
like this mug Keith is drinking from right here.
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate have all been reported
to taste better in it. (laughs)
I love that Keith, thank you.
New videos every Tuesday and Friday,
and when you comment the day of video is released,
you'll be one step closer to being a YouTube bestie
with me like Keith, and some other fabulous folks
like Aaron Crowley, Sandra Rodriguez, Rachel Robertson,
Kevin number one, the original Kevin Maguire,
and Kevin number two.
Thank you so much for your shares, likes, and comments.
You guys make my day.
Now I would love to hang out some more, shall we?
YouTube really thinks you'll enjoy this video right here,
and this video over here, what is an arc?
It's a great video to help you understand
how you'll use prelaunch copies of your book
to generate reviews and early momentum
for your marketing efforts.
Something every author,
children's book or nonfiction author, needs to know about.
So go ahead, choose one of those two videos,
I'm waiting for you with my mug.
(bright music)