Frequently Asked Questions

Children's Publishing Process

• What makes a great picture book?

  An engaging storyline that relates to the interest of the audience you are targeting, but just as important are colorful, eye-catching illustrations that captures the eye and imagination of the reader.

• How do you collaborate with illustrators?

  Because we are a niche children’s book publisher, we have amassed a team of top level illustrators that are the best in the business. During the publishing process, you will be able to see a variety of different artistic styles, giving you the ability to select the artist that is best for your children’s book.

• What guidelines do you follow for age-appropriate themes?

  Every manuscript is carefully reviewed by our board to ensure it meets our standards for publishing. We prioritize themes that resonate with young readers, including friendship, self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-expression, overcoming challenges, growing up, and life at school.

• How do you develop engaging book series for kids?

  An author can develop an engaging series of children’s books by ensuring that the initial book in the series is well-received by the book purchasing market. This is done by using professional illustrations that capture the imagination of children, and contain vivid and bright book covers. If the first in the book series is a success, that style and format should be built upon to develop additional children’s books in the series.

• What makes memorable characters in children’s literature?

  Personified animals or a child main character are common. It’s important to create characters that relate to the audience you are targeting. If a boy is the main character in your book, then the illustrations and storyline should reflect that of the audience you are targeting.

• Do you publish educational children’s books?

  Yes, of course we do. These comprise a large part of the children’s book genre and market. In fact, just in the U.S., the children’s book market is about $2-3 billion. Educational children’s books, represent a sizable chunk of this market.

• How do you balance entertainment and learning?

  Interactive children’s books are shown to increase children’s practical ability and learning efficiency with just the right mix of entertainment and learning. If your book’s structure is more traditional, amazing illustrations are a great way to capture a reader’s interest. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

• How do you promote diversity or underrepresented voices in children’s books?

  Our goal is to publish and highlight books from authors of all backgrounds. Not only does this increase the type of stories being shared, but it allows children to encounter worlds that they might not be familiar with.

• How do you approach eBooks and apps for children?

  Every book we publish will be available in a physical and eBook format. With that said, eBooks are not well received in the children’s book market, as we have found that parents prefer to hold physical books when reading with their young children.

• How does the Children’s illustration process work?

  This is an extremely fun and exciting process–enjoyed thoroughly by our authors. The process of seeing your “vision” of an illustrated character come to life before your eyes is incredible. To kick off the process, your Publishing Assistant will send a detailed illustration questionnaire to you. We will also present you with our vast portfolio of past illustrations so that you can guide us in the correct direction in terms of the style of illustration you desire (whimsical, realistic, cartoonish, naturalistic, humorous, etc.).

  Based upon your responses to that questionnaire, our in-house expert publishing illustration team will complete a sample illustration to ensure that we are putting on paper the character you envision in your mind. From there, we make all necessary refinements and revisions until you are satisfied that we have delivered your vision. After that, we will go on to complete the remainder of the illustrations.

• How do I track the progress of my book during the publishing process?

  When you sign your agreement with Cloverly Children’s you will be assigned a dedicated production coordinator who will be your main point of contact throughout the entire publishing process. You will be given a detailed timeline of the process with expected timelines for each stage of the process. You will also have access to an “author dashboard” where you can download any work we have completed such as edits, illustrations, book cover etc. and view your timeline in real time.

Editing & Illustrating Children's Books

• Do publishers provide editing services?

  Most publishers in our business do not, but rest assured that your work at Cloverly will ABSOLUTELY have an editor assigned to it. Children’s books have a smaller word count than your typical novel and most of the focus during the publishing process will be on the illustrations, but editing is still a necessary step to produce a professional book. What kind of example would you be to children, if you had errors in your book?

• How many rounds of edits are typical?

  Most books are out of the editing stage after a round or two. All edits are outlined and not actually applied to your manuscript until YOU accept them. You may agree with some of our suggestions, disagree with others, etc. Remember, it is your book and you have the final say in every stage of the publishing process.

• How long does the children’s book illustration process take?

  It will take at least four weeks to complete the initial illustration from your questionnaire responses. Subsequently, the illustration process can move rapidly. It is critical that we match your mind’s vision, thus we will never rush this process; we want it to be absolutely perfect.

Distribution & Marketing

• How do you distribute books globally?

  Through our partnership with Ingram Content Network and Spring Arbor. This distribution system reaches over 30,000 sales outlets, giving all of our books worldwide reach.

• Do you handle marketing too?

  We handle some of the initial marketing efforts for your title. For example, we will create a dedicated web page for your book on our web site, write and distribute a press release with mass distribution, issue a book launch announcement on our social media channels, create a book trailer to be shared via social media, etc. The key to a truly successful book launch lies heavily on the actual author.

  Your books best marketer is YOU! We always advise our authors to have a book launch team consisting of family and friends. Through a combined effort, word of mouth, social media and other resources, a good launch team can set you up for success out of the gate.

• How do I promote my book?

  We will take several crucial steps to “kick-start” your book, but there are also important things that you can and should do on your own. For example, it is critical that you assemble a “Launch Team” of family and friends that will help promote your book when it is released. We encourage you to use the social media networks of your friends and family (in addition to your own, of course) to help draw attention to your book.

  We will provide you with a link to your author web page, and that web page allows people to purchase your book at the vendor of their choice (Amazon, Apple, B&N, etc.). You can add that link to every social media message you post.

• Where will my book be available for purchase?

  Because of our partnership with Ingram Content Network and Spring Arbor, your book will be available throughout the world on over 30,000 platforms. Any bookstore can carry your book if they choose, and all digital platforms like Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble will carry it as well.

• How do I get my book into bookstores?

  We are partnered with one of the largest book distributors in the world and your title will be available in their catalog for bookstores to order if they choose to. There is nothing further that you need to do.

Manuscript Submission & the Business of Publishing

• How can I be assured that my book is safe once I submit it to you?

  We urge any author with this question to download our legally binding Non-Disclosure (NDA) and Confidentiality Agreement. Our NDA guarantees our acknowledgement that your book is YOURS and you are only disclosing it to us for review purposes. This also legally prohibits us from discussing or disclosing your manuscript to anyone without your express prior permission.

• What should my query letter include?

  Query letters are not needed here at Cloverly Children’s Publishing. If you simply speak with someone here, we will likely allow you to submit your book for review. There’s no need for a formal letter.

• What’s the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing?

  Traditional publishing doesn’t really exist any longer. There are five major “traditional” publishers left in the market and seldom do they take risks on unknown or first-time authors. On the other hand, self-publishing companies are more author-friendly, making it easier for writers worldwide to get published.

  Self-Publishing has leveled the playing field, as it allows authors a fair chance at success in the publishing market. At Cloverly Children’s Publishing, we cannot accept all books submitted to us, but at least we, as self-publishers, allow you a fair chance to have your book reviewed.

• How do I submit my manuscript to a publisher?

  At Cloverly Children’s Publishing, the process for submitting your manuscript to us for review could not be simpler. Send us an inquiry via email or simply call us on the phone and one of our in-house literary agents will speak with you to discuss your book.

  He/she will then give you permission to submit your book and send you a secure link or email address so you can upload the book to us. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so please do not send yours in unless have you spoken with someone here first.

• What’s in a publishing contract?

  Our contracts are referred to here as Publication Agreements. We have been applauded by our authors with how straightforward and clear they are. Unlike other companies with nearly 50 page contracts filled with fine print, our agreements are about three pages and clearly explain everything you need to know.

  You retain 100% of your book rights and anything we produce for you, we take no cut of your sales for the first two years, and every step requires your approval. That’s it. Simple, right?

• How are sales proceeds calculated?

  Each of the vendor platforms (like Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, mom and pop bookstores) take a small cut of the sale proceeds and pass the rest on to you through us as your publisher. To download a summary sheet and help calculate how you might make money from your book, click here.

• How does Cloverly Children’s make money from my book?

  We are partnered with you on the project, and we only make money when you do. You receive 100% of sales proceeds until you recoup whatever money you invested with us towards publishing your book. After you recoup your investment, we are entitled to a mere 25 cents (¢25) of each book sold, with you keeping the entirety of the remaining money!

• Should I focus on print or eBooks?

  There is no need to choose, every book we publish is in both physical and eBook editions.

• What are your pricing packages?

  The cost to publish a children’s book varies based upon word count and the total number of illustrations needed to complete the book. In general, it’s relatively inexpensive—an initial investment of only $595—with small monthly installments of just $349 for 10 months.

• What formats can I publish in?

  You have the option to publish your book in paperback (standard for all our authors), eBook (also standard but children’s books are not a popular option for the consumer), hardcover or audiobook for an additional fee!