BONUS FEATURES: Besides the written content, we’ve prepared short videos and included diagrams, tips, and tricks throughout the book to help clarify the process for anyone creating or illustrating a children’s picture book for the first time!
ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ONLINE BOOKSTORES
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This award-winning guide walks you step by step through the exact process I use with my one-on-one design clients—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence instead of guesswork.
Inside, you’ll find practical answers to the questions every first-time children’s book author faces, along with clear direction on what to do next at each stage of the publishing process.
To make things even easier, this book includes companion videos that walk you through the more technical steps—so you’re never left trying to figure it out on your own.
If you’re serious about publishing your children’s book—and doing it well—this is where you begin.
You’ll also find diagrams, tips, and behind-the-scenes insights throughout the book, designed to simplify the process for first-time authors and illustrators and help you avoid costly mistakes.
They were overwhelmed by the process, unsure of what steps to take next, and often frustrated by conflicting advice online. And honestly, I saw too many good books lose momentum simply because the author didn’t have the right guidance at the right time.
That’s why I wrote this book.
It’s built from the same step-by-step process I use with my one-on-one clients—refined over years of real projects, real questions, and real challenges. My goal was to take what can feel complicated and break it down into something clear, practical, and manageable.
If you’ve been unsure where to start—or worried about making costly mistakes—this book is here to guide you forward with confidence.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
This isn’t theory—it’s the exact process I use with my private clients.
Publishing and designing a book-decoded!
While this book focuses on publishing children’s books, nearly all the information applies to any type of book you’re writing, making it a fantastic resource and truly a must-read for any author!
Becky has written a brilliant guide that breaks down each part of the publishing and design process-what it means, why you may or may not need it, and how to do it-making it accessible for the everyday writer. It even includes QR codes that link to helpful how-to videos.
From start to finish, this book covers everything you need to know about publishing. And thanks to Kayla’s charming character, Snuffles, there’s a touch of fun and whimsy throughout! If you’re an author of any type of book, do yourself a favor and get this book!
-Vanessa B., book editor
Lilac Tree Books is the publishing imprint of Becky’s Graphic Design, LLC.
We create clear, step-by-step guides to help first-time authors navigate self-publishing with confidence—without the overwhelm.
There was a lilac tree in the backyard of my grandparents’ home that my grandfather tried to cut down—not once, but three times. Each time, it came back stronger, with more branches and more blooms than before. Eventually, he gave up and admitted the tree had won.
Years later, my husband and I moved into that same home, and the lilac tree was still there—taller than ever. Every spring, it filled the yard with that unmistakable fragrance. It shaded summer picnics and became a quiet place to sit, think, and dream.
As a young wife and mom, I didn’t just see a tree anymore—I saw resilience.
Over time, that lilac tree has come to represent so much of what I see in the authors I work with. Writing a book takes persistence. It takes showing up when it would be easier to stop. And the authors who stay with it—the ones who don’t give up—are the ones who create something lasting. Their stories grow beyond the page and reach people in ways they may never fully see.
That’s why I do this work.
Over the past thirty years as a designer, entrepreneur, and self-publisher, I’ve had the privilege of helping authors bring their books to life one-on-one. This book—and the others to come—are my way of sharing that same guidance with you, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
If you’re here, there’s a reason. Your story matters. And like that lilac tree, it’s worth the effort to see it grow.
Thank you for being here.
Becky Bayne
Lilac Tree Books & Becky’s Graphic Design, LLC
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