From Aspiring to Author: Why You’re More Ready Than You Think

If you’ve ever whispered the words 'I want to write a children’s book', then you’re already on the path.

Maybe you’ve scribbled ideas on napkins, drafted a picture book at midnight, or imagined your name on a library shelf. You might not feel like a 'real' author yet, but here’s the truth: Aspiring is part of authoring. And the moment you begin, you belong.

You don’t need a book deal to be a children’s book author.

One of the biggest myths in the publishing world is that you need to be published to call yourself a writer. But that thinking undermines the heart of what it means to write for children.

If you are writing stories for kids  - learning, growing, drafting, dreaming - then you are a children’s book writer. Published or not.

Every author starts where you are:
With a spark.
A notebook.
A quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, this story matters.

The road from dream to bookshelf is never linear.

Whether you’re self-publishing, querying literary agents, or hoping to catch a publisher’s eye, the journey to becoming a children’s book author takes time, and guts.

You’ll face rejections. You’ll revise more times than you can count. You’ll doubt yourself. But you’ll also grow. You’ll learn your craft. You’ll find your voice. You’ll connect with fellow creators who remind you you’re not alone.

Every story has a beginning. This is yours.

Aspiring isn’t passive. It’s powerful.

Don’t downplay where you’re at in the process.

'Aspiring' doesn’t mean you’re sitting still. It means you’re actively working toward something. You’re learning how rhyme and meter work or how pace and story arc help to move a reader through a story. You’re understanding the market. You’re building a brand. You’re showing up for your stories - and for the kids who’ll one day read them.

There’s power in that.

What to do while you’re ‘aspiring’

Here’s how to make the most of this season while you work toward becoming a published children’s author:

• Write consistently. Even if it’s messy. Even if no one sees it yet.

• Read widely. Study recently published picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels to understand what connects with kids.

• Build your author brand. Start showing up on social media, share your journey, and connect with your future audience.

• Join the community. Follow other children’s book creators. Join critique groups. Ask questions.

• Invest in learning. Take workshops, read craft books, and seek feedback from mentors or professionals in the industry.

• Don’t wait to be chosen. Whether you self-publish or traditionally publish, own your role as a storyteller for children.

The takeaway?

You don’t need permission to write for children.
You don’t need credentials to tell stories that matter.
You don’t need a publisher to start acting like the author you are.

You’re not just aspiring.
You’re becoming.

Want more support on your journey?

Join our community of emerging children’s book creators and get access to free resources, writing tips, and real-world publishing advice from someone who’s been where you are.
Let’s take the next step together - from aspiring to author.