Done-For-You Children’s Book Publishing Support

“I didn’t just get a book—I got a publishing education.”

Before I found Journey to Kidlit, I was lost in a sea of cold, untrustworthy information. But this team? It felt like family. Every step of the process was clear, collaborative, and full of integrity. I not only walked away with a beautiful book—I learned how publishing works. I now feel confident and excited about the stories I’m bringing into the world. This process was absolutely worth the investment.

—Carin Johnivan, Author of Into The Fairy World

If you're dreaming of publishing a children’s book—but feel stuck on the technical parts like finding an illustrator, formatting your files, or making sure it doesn’t look self-published—you’re not alone.

At Journey to Kidlit, we help authors like you turn polished manuscripts into bookstore-quality children's books through our Done-For-You Book Creation Service.

You’ll work with a professional team (with 30+ years of experience at publishers like Disney Hyperion and HarperCollins) to create a book that stands out—and you’ll keep 100% of your rights, profits, and creative control.

💡 Who is This For?

This service is perfect for you if:

✅ You want to self-publish but don’t want to figure it all out alone
✅ You care about quality and want your book to look professionally made
✅ You’re serious about bringing your story to life—and doing it right
✅ You’re looking for a collaborative, guided experience from a trusted team

Sound like exactly what you're looking for? Keep reading. 👇

At the heart of our Done-For-You Book Creation service is a simple belief: Every book deserves a place on a child's bookshelf—but it must be worthy of that child's time to earn it.

We’re a team of editors, book designers, and an art director with over 30+ years of combined experience in traditional publishing—having worked with houses like Disney Hyperion, Little Brown, and HarperCollins. We're also children's book lovers at heart. Crafting beautiful, high-quality stories for kids isn't just what we do—it's what drives us.

This service was created by award-winning author and educator Brooke Van Sickle, who knows firsthand how discouraging it can be to wait years for a publishing contract—or feel overwhelmed by the confusing, piecemeal nature of self-publishing.

After making countless costly mistakes trying to do it all herself, Brooke built the team she wished she had:
A professional, heart-led creative team that could help bring important stories into the world without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing—and without sacrificing quality.

Together, our mission is to help add 100,000 books to bookshelves around the world—from authors of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Because when a child feels seen, heard, and understood in literature, it creates a ripple effect of kindness and empathy for generations to come.

✨ Imagine this instead:

Your files are done, beautiful, and ready to go—no formatting headaches, no tech stress
Your illustrations perfectly match your vision (and you didn’t have to spend months searching for someone trustworthy)
Your story looks like it belongs on any bookstore shelf—because it was crafted by a team that knows what it takes
You feel proud when you tell people, “I wrote and published a children’s book.”
And best of all? You didn’t waste time second-guessing. You had a team behind you the whole way.

Sound like what you're looking for? 👇

Bonus: Kidlit Launch School ($497 value)

Once you're on board, you’ll receive full access to our best-selling marketing course to help you confidently launch and promote your book. It covers everything from building your author website to planning launch events.

Includes:

Launch day email templates
Social media graphics and hashtag bank
Website creation guide
Classroom visit planning kit
Keyword research + get-reviews toolkit

You’ll learn how to:

Build your author platform
Get found online (Amazon, Google, social media)
Connect with schools, teachers, and readers
Sell more books—without burnout

📌 Note: This is a self-guided course designed for new and first-time authors. We provide strategy and templates, but marketing execution is up to you.

“There are so many things you don’t know unless you’re in the publishing world—and Journey to Kidlit knows exactly what they’re doing.”

Before finding Journey to Kidlit, I was completely discouraged. I had so many questions and no idea where to turn—or who to trust. But this team has been amazing. From their supportive feedback to their honest expertise, they made me feel like my voice mattered while also guiding me toward the best version of my book. I finally got to see my vision turn into something great.

—Katie Purcell, author of Molly’s Big Score

We want this process to feel clear, supportive, and collaborative from the start. Here’s what to expect once you fill out your initial application:

Watch the Quick Overview
Right after applying, you’ll be redirected to a short video where we’ll walk you through what it looks like to work with us and what’s included in each step.
Complete the Full Application
If it feels like a good fit, you’ll move on to the detailed application where you’ll tell us more about your book and upload your story draft for review.
We Review & Follow Up
Our team will evaluate your manuscript to determine next steps. If your story is ready for production, we’ll send you a custom quote with package options. If editing is still needed, we’ll provide a quote and next-step recommendations to help you get publishing ready.
Get Started with Your Package
Once you choose your package, you’ll sign your agreement, make your first payment, and we’ll officially begin onboarding you into the production process!

📌 This is a selective service, and not every book is a match for our team. But if we believe we can help you create something incredible, we’ll walk you through the exact next steps to make it happen.

“The final layout made me cry—I’ve been on a high ever since.”

From the very beginning, I felt like my book was in good hands. The Journey to Kidlit team treated my project with the same care and investment I had as the author. They were professional, responsive, and genuinely supportive—every concern I had was listened to and addressed quickly.

As a first-time writer, I relied heavily on their guidance—and I’m so glad I did. The final result turned out even better than I imagined. I’m so proud of what we created together, and I can’t wait to bring my book to life with readers through author visits and school events.

—Jannesy DeLeon, author of Tag You’re It and Not a Shot

Frequently Asked Questions

Still wondering if this is the right fit? Let’s clear a few things up:

Do I own the rights to my book?

Yes—100%! When you work with us, you retain full creative control, copyright, and royalties. We’re here to help you professionally produce and launch your book, but you’re the publisher of record. That means you can sell your book however you want and keep all the profits. No imprint, no strings attached.

Who’s listed as the publisher?

You are! We’re not a publisher—we’re your behind-the-scenes team. That means you control the listings, pricing, and royalties, and you keep 100% of the rights to your book.

Will my book be on Amazon and Barnes & Noble?

Yes! We guide you through uploading your files to Amazon KDP and IngramSpark so your book can be listed globally through major online retailers.

Can I order printed copies of my book?

Absolutely. Once your book is live, you’ll be able to purchase author copies at wholesale pricing for events, school visits, or personal sales.

Do you help with marketing?

We don’t market the book for you, but we give you everything you need to do it yourself—with confidence. Every package includes free access to Kidlit Launch School, our self-paced marketing course designed specifically for children’s book authors. Inside, you’ll learn:

How to create your author website
How to plan your launch day
How to grow your visibility using social media and Amazon search
How to book school visits and get reader reviews

It’s packed with video lessons, email templates, hashtags, and promotional tools you can start using right away.

How long does the process take?

Most books take 6–8 months to complete, depending on the services needed. After you apply, we’ll send you a custom quote and estimated timeline.

Can I bring my own illustrator or editor?

Yes! If you’ve already started the creative process, we’re happy to collaborate—as long as your files meet publishing standards. We’ll review everything during onboarding to make sure it’s a fit.

What if my story isn’t quite ready?

If your manuscript still needs development, we may recommend a comprehensive edit before beginning production. (Don’t worry—we’ll guide you through this and provide a quote if needed.)

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! All of our packages are eligible for flexible payment plans. We’ll work with you to find something that fits your timeline and budget.

“It felt like a spark of creativity was ignited.”

From the very beginning, it felt like I had a team in my corner. Each time I saw a new page come to life, I was filled with excitement. The collaborative process—from illustrations to edits—made me feel heard and supported. The team took time to understand my goals and helped bring my vision to life in a way that still makes me smile.

I'm so grateful for the creative input, the quick turnaround, and the patience and guidance throughout the entire process. As I near completion, I finally feel like I have the headspace to plan my launch—and the confidence that I’m not doing this alone.

Create a Children’s Book That Looks Like It Belongs on a Bookshelf—Without Doing It Alone

“I didn’t just get a book—I got a publishing education.”

—Carin Johnivan, Author of Into The Fairy World

✨You wrote the story. Now let’s make it shine.

👋 Meet the Team Behind the Story You’re Meant to Share

Helping authors bring meaningful stories to life—with the quality today’s readers deserve.

🏆 Proven Expertise. Award-Winning Results.

You don’t have to figure this out alone—and you don’t have to settle for a book that looks self-published.

We know what it takes to produce a book that kids (and gatekeepers) love.

“Publishing a children’s book isn’t easy—but this made it possible.”

What’s Included in Your Book Creation Experience

Here's a list of the services we offer...

Packages Start at Just $2,000!

“From an idea to Amazon—this helped me make my dream real.”

—Nancy Tavares, Author of Chicken Coop Chaos

Tailored Support—No Cookie-Cutter Packages Here

Starter Package | Starting at $2,000

“I’m ready to publish—just need help setting it up.”

Design Package | Starting at $5,000

“I have illustrations, but need help creating the book.”

All-In Package | Starting at $7,500

“I need it all—illustrator, design, and publishing support.”

Compare the Packages below. 👇

➕ Optional Add-Ons

⚠️ A Note About Story Readiness

“There are so many things you don’t know unless you’re in the publishing world—and Journey to Kidlit knows exactly what they’re doing.”

—Katie Purcell, author of Molly’s Big Score

You Don’t Have to Take Our Word for It.

Carin Johnivan: "I could not have done this without Brooke and her team. The investment was truly worth it to me."

Carin Johnivan: "I could not have done this without Brooke and her team. The investment was truly worth it to me."

Carin Johnivan: "I could not have done this without Brooke and her team. The investment was truly worth it to me."

Carin Johnivan: "I could not have done this without Brooke and her team. The investment was truly worth it to me."

“Save yourself time—let the professionals help.”

—Elizabethann Moore, author of Finding Love

Frequently Asked Questions

Still wondering if this is the right fit? Let’s clear a few things up:

Who’s listed as the publisher?

Will my book be on Amazon and Barnes & Noble?

Can I order printed copies of my book?

Do you help with marketing?

How long does the process take?

Can I bring my own illustrator or editor?

What if my story isn’t quite ready?

Do you offer payment plans?

✨ Ready to Bring Your Book to Life?

If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re serious about your story—and you don’t want to do it all alone.

We’d love to help you create a book you’re proud of. A book that includes:

“It felt like a spark of creativity was ignited.”

—Erin, author of Daring Dexter and Halfway Home