First off, it's NOT the same as formatting a novel! With a novel, as long as you set the correct guidelines up front, all you really need to do is upload the text and everything will fall into place...for the most part. Not with children's books! There are so many moving parts when it comes to the design especially if the illustrator does not include the text in the picture. (TIP- if this is your first children's book, find an illustrator that will fully incorporate the text! This will save you time and money.) Are you formatting yourself? If so, what platform and tools are you using?

Without preorders, marketing before launch is harder because people can’t buy yet. With preorders, you can: - Run ads early - Share the link in newsletters - Post on social media - Recruit ARC (advance reader copy) readers Instead of saying “Coming soon,” you can say “Preorder now.” Preorders create: - Scarcity psychology (“Get it first”) - Reader commitment - Buzz before release This is especially powerful if you’re building a series. Seeing preorder numbers gives you: - A gauge of reader interest - Insight into ad performance - Confidence heading into launch It reduces the “launch day anxiety” a bit. ⚠️ When Preorders Might NOT Be Necessary - You’re publishing your very first book with no audience - You don’t plan to market before release - You want to upload and launch quickly - You’re doing rapid release (publishing books close together) If you have zero audience and no marketing plan, a preorder won’t magically create sales! So, are you doing preorders or not?

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Do you ever reach a point where you’ve done the writing, the revising, the editing… and still feel unsure if the book is actually ready? Not technically, but emotionally. Like you’ve stared at it so long you can’t tell what’s missing anymore. I’d love to hear how you handle that stage, what helps you move forward when you’re too close to your own work?

IngramSpark is now making it FREE to revise your book…even after the 60 day window! You know what that means? That means Ingram is coming for KDP! 😆 What do you think about this news? Does it make pinking Ingram over KDP easier? I’ve already updated a couple covers and one book’s interior! 🙌🏽 🙃