WELCOME TO KIDS BOOK ACADEMY! ✨ Where your dream of writing a children’s book becomes real. I’m Zack Bush — author of 70+ published children’s books, including the national bestseller Made for Me, with over 1 MILLION copies sold. For the first time ever, I’m opening up my entire process — outlining, writing, editing, publishing, marketing — ALL inside this community. Here’s how to get started: 1️⃣ Introduce yourself Share your name + the children’s book you wish you could write. Even if your idea is rough or feels silly — this is the place to start. 2️⃣ Comment on Mistake #1 Read the post “Mistake #1: Overthinking Your Idea.” Then comment the FIRST draft of your story idea. (Yes — even if it feels imperfect. ESPECIALLY if it feels imperfect.) 3️⃣ Grab the free resources Over the next few days I’ll be posting: ✔ The Children’s Book Blueprint (PDF) ✔ My Story Structure Template ✔ My Title & Hook Formula ✔ My Editing Checklist 4️⃣ Ask any question Nothing is too basic. I answer as many questions as possible — personally. What you can expect here: - Weekly writing lessons - Behind-the-scenes breakdowns of my books - “Fix My Idea” threads - Step-by-step guides - Encouragement, accountability & feedback - A supportive community of new writers You’re in the right place. You belong here. And you CAN write your book. Let’s get it done. 🚀 — Zack

Most new writers think the finish line is typing “The End.” It’s not. A finished manuscript is only STEP 1. If you stop there, your book usually ends up sitting on your hard drive instead of in kids’ hands. Here’s what you actually need before you publish: 📘 Metadata matters This is the behind-the-scenes info that tells Amazon and bookstores what your book is about. You need: - Title + subtitle - Description - Keywords - Categories - Age range Without strong metadata, nobody can find your book. 📣 A launch strategy Even a simple launch can make a big difference. Plan out: - Your release date - Who you’re telling - Early reviewers - Social media posts - Any bonuses or pre-order push Launch = momentum. Momentum = sales. ⭐️ Reviews are gold Children’s books live or die by reviews. Even 10 solid reviews can help your book rank and get recommended. Build your review list before launch day. 🚚 Distribution Decide where your book will live: - Amazon KDP - IngramSpark - Local bookstores - School visits - Libraries - Your website A book is a product — it needs places to be discovered. 📈 Ongoing marketing This does NOT have to be overwhelming. Simple things work: - Weekly posts - Behind-the-scenes content - School readings - A small Amazon ad budget Consistency sells books. ⭐️ Bottom Line A strong manuscript + a weak plan = frustration. A strong manuscript + a simple plan = a successful children’s book.

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is writing a book without first understanding who they’re writing for. Here’s what you must know before you start: 👶 Age group Are you writing for toddlers, preschoolers, early readers, or 6–8-year-olds? Each age has different vocabulary, length, pacing, and expectations. 📚 Category Is your book… • A humorous picture book? • A faith-based story? • A bedtime book? • A rhyming book? • An activity or learning book? 🎯 Audience need What problem, emotion, or desire does your book speak to? Examples: • Bedtime struggles • Confidence • Friendship • Fear • Gratitude • Starting school 📈 Market fit Look at 3–5 bestselling books similar to yours. Ask: What do they do well? What can I do differently? Your Turn: Comment below with: 1️⃣ The age group you want to write for 2️⃣ The category of book you want to write 3️⃣ One bestselling book your idea feels closest to I’ll reply and help you tighten the direction so your book is actually marketable.

Let’s jump into the next big mistake new children’s book authors make: 2️⃣ Writing Way Too Long Most people try to write a story… when they should be writing a moment. Children’s books are short for a reason: 🟢 Kids have fast attention spans 🟢 Illustrations carry half the storytelling 🟢 Simplicity makes the message powerful Here’s the truth: 👉 Most children’s books are 300–700 words. Not 2,000. Not 3,000. Not a chapter book disguised as a picture book. Trying to force too many scenes, characters, or plot twists makes the story confusing — and it dilutes the emotional punch. So how do you fix it? ✔️ Focus on ONE moment, not a whole timeline. One bedtime. One adventure. One problem. One emotion. ✔️ Let the illustrations do the heavy lifting. You don’t need to explain everything with text. Show it visually. ✔️ Ask yourself this: “If I had to tell this story in 10 sentences, what would they be?” That’s children’s book writing. YOUR TURN: Post ONE sentence from your story that you think might be “too long” — I’ll help you shorten and strengthen it.

Hello everyone and thank you for adding me to this group… I currently have (2) book published through KDP Amazon titled The Adventures of Reef & River “Exploring Underwater Sea Life” and book (2) The Adventures of Reef & River “Great Turtle Rescue”.. I currently have (2) more books almost completely written and ready to move forward with illustrations… My question is.. Besides KDP Amazon, what's the best way to get a publishing house to pick you up and help you with mass printing and distribution?