How To Be A Children's Author On Story Spark
Dreaming of becoming a children’s author? In this guide we take you through the essentials and how Story Spark can support you, from illustrations and copyrights to printing.
This article focuses on authors specifically. If you want to learn about how to make the best story books with our story generator, please check out this resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Children’s Book Author?
Traditionally, becoming a children’s author meant writing a manuscript, finding an agent, pitching to publishers, and waiting months (sometimes years) for feedback. It’s a process that requires persistence and connections, which can be discouraging for beginners.
But today, things are different. Story Spark makes it possible for anyone to become a children’s author. You can:
1. Generate Your Story
Add your written story and let our AI turn it into a fully illustrated book, bringing your scenes and characters to life.
I Already Have My Story Written, Can You Illustrate It?
Yes! If you already have a story, you can simply select “Illustrate My Story” in Spark Assistant and turn your writing into a fully illustrated book. It’s designed for authors who want to focus on their words while Story Spark brings the visuals to life. Here’s how it works:
Create/Add Your Characters
You can create as many characters as you want using Spark Assistant or upload images, and store them in your profile. This is perfect for authors who want to create series, use multiple characters in a story or across multiple stories.
Choose Illustration Style
We have a large range of illustration styles, including all the most popular children book illustration themes. Pixar is the most popular but why not try our Claymation, Pop Art or Lego styles?
Add Your Title & Select Number of Pages
Enter your story title and choose how long your book should be—our default setup provides up to 12 pages, and you can always add more pages later to match your desired length.
Fill the Pages
Add your story to each page. We have an ‘improve’ button which can help perfect your narrative if you want some help! There is a back button if you make any changes you wish to reverse.
Create
Once everything is set, simply click the Create button and let Story Spark do the rest—your story will be illustrated and formatted in moments, ready for you to edit, personalize, and bring to life.
Edit & Perfect
After creation you can always edit your story to perfection in our story editor. This could be changing any images, tweaking your story line or adding/removing pages.
Will I Own The Commercial Rights To My Stories?
To hold a commercial copyright license for your stories you need to have an active Creator subscription. You can learn about this on our pricing page.
- Most authors begin with a monthly Creator subscription. This is perfect for authors who are trying Story Spark for the first time or are unsure if they plan to commercially publish.
- When authors have decided to publish they usually purchase an annual Creator subscription. This is more cost effective, offering a 25% discount.
- We realize that some authors wish to own their books outright, without the need to always have an active Creator subscription. We do also offer outright purchase of commercial rights for a one off payment of $500. This is for each book. If you wish to purchase the commercial rights for your book with a one off payment, please contact our support on info@storyspark.ai.
Can I Order My Book?
Not only can you create your story but you can get a beautiful hardcover book delivered to your door!
- You can personalize your books further with a special dedication, include a name and even upload a photo of your choice.
- At Story Spark we are proud to support all authors and if you want to order a large quantity of your books please reach out to our support who would be delighted to offer you bespoke pricing!
Other Common Children Publishing Questions
How Much Money Do Children’s Authors Make?
The income of children’s authors varies widely. Traditionally published children’s authors often earn an advance (a lump sum payment) plus royalties on sales. Advances can range from a few thousand dollars to much more for established authors.
On the self-publishing side, authors can earn anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand dollars per month, depending on marketing, audience size, and book quality. Many self-published children’s authors sell books through Amazon, Etsy, or directly from their own websites.
For amateur authors, the goal often isn’t just money—it’s the joy of creating something meaningful for kids, whether that’s your own children, a classroom, or a community. And with Story Spark, you can dip your toes in without heavy upfront investment.
How Much Does It Cost to Illustrate a Children’s Book?
Illustrations are one of the most expensive parts of producing a children’s book. Professional illustrators typically charge:
- $50 – $150 per page for simpler illustrations
- $3,000 – $10,000+ for a full book project
For many new authors, those costs can feel overwhelming. That’s another reason Story Spark is so valuable: you can generate AI-assisted illustrations or keep your story text-focused at first, then decide if you want to invest in custom artwork later. This flexibility allows amateur authors to start small, test their ideas, and grow their projects at their own pace.
Why Story Spark Is Perfect for Amateur Authors
Accessible
No need to hire expensive editors or illustrators just to get started.
Creative freedom
You can generate, tweak, and expand your story in endless ways.
Affordable printing
Get your book professionally printed without high upfront costs.
Confidence booster
Holding your book in your hands makes you feel like a real author, because you are!
Whether you want to write a bedtime story for your child, a classroom project, or the next bestselling series, Story Spark is the perfect launchpad for amateur children’s authors.
