02. From Draft To Design: The Journey Of Self-Publishing A Children’s Book

Writing Chubby and BumBum – The Magical Friend was one kind of challenge—bringing it to life on paper was another. In this article, I’ll share both the personal struggles and the business decisions that shaped my first ever book, hoping that it might give you a window into what self-publishing a children’s books actually feels like.

Writing in Rhyme: A Creative Challenge

When I first sat down to write Chubby and BumBum, I knew I wanted it to be a rhyming story. Children love rhythm and sound patterns, simply because it makes the reading experience cheery and memorable. But what I didn’t realize initially was how hard rhyme can be!

Rhymes don’t just need to sound good but also need to flow naturally, carry meaning, and keep the story moving forward. I often found myself choosing between a word that rhymed well but felt “off” in tone, and one that fit the story but broke the rhythm.

There were days I wrote a stanza ten times over before it finally clicked. But the persistence paid off, and today when I read the book aloud, I can see how the rhymes create a sing-song effect that children love.

👉 Curious how those rhymes finally made it to print? Visit the Chubby and BumBum landing page

Choosing Illustrations: Finding the Right Visual World

If writing was about rhythm, illustrations were about resonance. The illustrations needed to bring Chubby and BumBum alive, not just as characters but as companions children would adore.

For this, I collaborated with Maulik Mehta, whose art style struck the perfect balance between warmth, magic, and relatability. Maulik’s work transformed the story from words on a page into a living world where Chubby and BumBum could play, wonder, and dream.

✨Fun Fact✨
When it came to choosing an illustrator, I might have acted out of a little greed… Instead of hiring someone completely new, I turned to Maulik – my very own brother. It wasn’t just about saving money (though that helped!), but about the comfort of working with someone who knew my vision inside out.

The result? Illustrations that carry not just creativity, but also family fervor.

This collaboration taught me a key lesson for writers: you don’t have to wear every hat yourself. Finding the right illustrator is not just outsourcing – it’s creative synergy!

Editing: The Invisible Hero

If I had to name one thing that polished my messy drafts into a real book, it would be editing. Good editing isn’t just about grammar – it’s about clarity, rhythm, and making sure the story works for the readers.

In children’s books, every word counts. You don’t have the luxury of long descriptions; each line must work hard. Editing helped trim repetitions, smooth transitions, and highlight where a word might be too advanced for young readers.

Looking back, I realize editing is the most invisible yet powerful part of publishing. Readers may never notice it directly, but they feel the difference.

Layout Tools: Giving the Book Its Shape

Once the text and illustrations were ready, the next big step was layout. This is where the story and visuals come together into pages that children can flip through.

For layout, I explored tools like Adobe InDesign and Affinity Publisher, eventually finding what worked best for my comfort and budget. The goal wasn’t just to make it “look good” but to ensure readability, balance, and flow. Things like margin sizes, text placement, and page turns matter more than you think, especially for children’s picture books.

But here’s another reality check: you don’t have to do all of this yourself. Many authors, including me, lean on publishing platforms like NotionPress for professional help in editing, design, layout, and even distribution. Their team ensured that Chubby and BumBum not only looked like a book but felt like one.

👉 See the final result here – Chubby and BumBum landing page

ISBN: Making the Book Official

One step that often surprises first-time authors is the ISBN-the International Standard Book Number. Without it, your book is just a manuscript in print. With it, your book becomes part of the publishing ecosystem.

Applying for an ISBN gave my book its identity. It meant it could be cataloged, found in libraries, and distributed on platforms like Amazon. That tiny number on the back cover is what makes your book “real” in the eyes of the industry.

Print vs Digital: The Big Decision

One of the most important business decisions I had to make was whether to go print, digital, or both. Digital books are cheaper to produce and easier to distribute, but for children’s picture books, print holds a special kind of a magic.

There’s nothing like a child flipping pages, pointing at illustrations, and carrying the book around like a friend. That’s why I decided on a 32-page paperback edition. It was more work to produce, but infinitely more rewarding.

That said, digital editions have their place too, especially for global reach. Many writers who are Self-Publishing a Children book now choose a hybrid path, print for local and personal touch, digital for scale.

The Emotional Payoff

Beyond tools and logistics, the journey from draft to design was filled with small emotional milestones: the first time I saw my words paired with pictures, the first layout draft that looked like a book, the moment the ISBN was assigned.

Each step made the book feel more ‘REAL’. And now, as I hold my very first paperback copy in my hands, I know every late night with rhymes and every frustrating layout tweak was worth it.

For Fellow Writers

If you’re an aspiring author wondering how to self publish a children’s book, my advice is this:

• Don’t underestimate the craft i.e. rhyme, rhythm, and illustrations take patience.
• Don’t rush editing, it’s the invisible glue!
• Find collaborators like illustrators or publishers as they multiply your vision.
• Treat ISBN and publishing logistics as part of the creative process, they give your book a home in the
  world.

Most importantly, embrace the joy of the process. Because one day, you’ll open a box and see your first ever book staring back at you, waiting to meet its readers.

👉 Ready to see where this journey led me? Visit Here