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Toni Louise
Learn How to Write and Create a Stand-Out Children's Picture Book and Self-Publish on Amazon KDP
Have you ever wanted to be a published children's book author but have worried about budget or having to outsource for help?
I show you how I create a children's picture book ready for publication with zero budget and all achievable within a week.
Why this course?
As an award-winning author, I have written, designed and self published a number of my own children's books.
My secret - The majority is done using Canva.
Read more
Learn How to Write and Create a Stand-Out Children's Picture Book and Self-Publish on Amazon KDP
Have you ever wanted to be a published children's book author but have worried about budget or having to outsource for help?
I show you how I create a children's picture book ready for publication with zero budget and all achievable within a week.
Why this course?
As an award-winning author, I have written, designed and self published a number of my own children's books.
My secret - The majority is done using Canva.
Read more
Learn How to Write and Create a Stand-Out Children's Picture Book and Self-Publish on Amazon KDP
Have you ever wanted to be a published children's book author but have worried about budget or having to outsource for help?
I show you how I create a children's picture book ready for publication with zero budget and all achievable within a week.
Why this course?
As an award-winning author, I have written, designed and self published a number of my own children's books.
My secret - The majority is done using Canva.
The course is beginner friendly. No previous writing skills or illustration skills needed.
No babble and easy to follow, I share my screen with you for sections 2,3 and 4. Look over my shoulder and see the exact steps I take.
The Sections include:
1. Write a rhyming children's book in only 4 steps, see how I do it in just 1 day
2. Illustrate a children's book using ONLY Canva
3. Create a paperback cover using ONLY Canva (PDF ready for upload)
4. How to upload to Amazon KDP and a
5. NEW: Convert your paperback book into an eBook and how to upload an eBook to Amazon KDP
Join my course today and reach your dream of creating your very own Children's Picture Storybook.
Links:
Flipbook - Hello I am unable to share links on Udemy, please message me for the link to the flipbook from the illustration part of this course.
To see the book live on Amazon search for - Imagine If Toni Louise
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/4o8118/create
What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction
Upload to Amazon KDP and add book to 10 different categories
Write a rhyming children's book in 4 easy steps.
Step 1: General Idea
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction
Upload to Amazon KDP and add book to 10 different categories
Write a rhyming children's book in 4 easy steps.
Step 1: General Idea
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Uses Canva, a user-friendly graphic design platform, making book creation accessible to those without professional design skills
Focuses on self-publishing through Amazon KDP, which provides a direct route to market for independent authors
Teaches rhyming techniques for children's books, which is a common and engaging format for young readers
Requires learners to use Canva, which may require a subscription for certain features or elements
Focuses on creating books within a week, which may lead to a rushed process and impact the overall quality of the final product
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Reviews summary
Write and publish children's books free with canva
According to learners, this course provides a positive and step-by-step guide to creating and self-publishing children's picture books using free tools like Canva. Students particularly appreciate the clear demonstrations, the focus on using Canva for illustration and cover design, and the comprehensive walk-throughs for uploading to Amazon KDP for both paperback and eBook formats. Many find the course easy to follow, informative, and practical, enabling them to complete a book project quickly and with zero budget. While some minor points were raised about older sections potentially needing updates or wishing for deeper dives into specific creative aspects, the overall consensus is highly favorable, especially for beginners.
Primarily focuses on rhyming picture books.
"The writing section is focused on rhyming books, which was good for me, but maybe not for all genres."
"It teaches you how to write in rhyme specifically, which is a useful skill taught effectively."
"Wish it touched on writing styles beyond just rhyme, but the focus is clear from the title."
"The course is heavily geared towards rhyming picture books, which is exactly what I wanted."
Provides tools to actually create and publish.
"This course gives you the practical steps needed to actually complete a book."
"I was able to create my first book within a week thanks to this actionable course."
"It provided all the tools and knowledge I needed to finally publish."
"Very practical information that I could apply right away."
Accessible and easy to follow for newcomers.
"As a complete beginner, I found this course very easy to follow and not overwhelming."
"No previous skills are needed, the instructor makes it very simple for everyone."
"This course is perfect for beginners who want to get started in self-publishing."
"It was very clear and easy for a beginner like myself."
Covers KDP process well for both formats.
"The KDP upload process, both for paperback and eBook, was explained very clearly."
"Uploading to Amazon KDP was straightforward after watching the demos."
"The step-by-step instructions for putting my book on Amazon KDP were invaluable."
"Covering both paperback and ebook publishing on KDP was very helpful."
Helpful guidance on using Canva for visuals.
"I am particularly appreciative of the section on how to use Canva for illustration and cover design."
"Learning to illustrate using Canva graphics was a game changer for me."
"The tips on using Canva were very useful and helped me make my cover and illustrations faster."
"The section on creating illustrations with Canva was very practical."
Provides a clear guide from writing to publishing.
"This course takes you step by step through the process of creating a children's picture book."
"This course is great to walk you through the ENTIRE process of writing, illustrating and publishing on KDP."
"I was guided every step of the way through the entire process of creating, illustrating, formatting and publishing a picture book."
"It is comprehensive and takes you through the whole process, which is what I needed."
Some reviewers encountered small technical snags.
"The instructor could improve their audio a bit, but the content is great."
"Sometimes the screen recording quality isn't perfect, but you can still follow along."
"There was one point where the steps didn't exactly match what was on my screen in KDP, but I figured it out."
"A few minor technical glitches but nothing that stopped me from finishing."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Create and self publish a children's picture book for FREE with these
activities:
Review Rhyming Schemes
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of different rhyming schemes commonly used in children's books. This will help you write more engaging and memorable stories.
Show steps
-
Research common rhyming schemes like AABB, ABAB, and ABCB.
-
Analyze examples of rhyming schemes in popular children's books.
-
Practice writing short verses using different rhyming schemes.
Review 'Writing Picture Books' by Ann Whitford Paul
Show steps
Gain insights into the craft of writing picture books from an experienced author. This will help you refine your storytelling techniques and create a more polished final product.
View
Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts and techniques.
-
Apply the book's advice to your own picture book project.
-
Reflect on how the book has improved your understanding of picture book writing.
Illustrate with Canva
Show steps
Improve your Canva illustration skills through focused practice. This will help you create visually appealing and engaging illustrations for your children's book.
Show steps
-
Choose a scene from your book and create several different illustrations for it using Canva.
-
Experiment with different Canva features, such as filters, effects, and animations.
-
Get feedback on your illustrations from other students or artists.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Mood Board for Your Book
Show steps
Visualize the overall aesthetic and tone of your book. This will help you maintain consistency in your illustrations and design choices.
Show steps
-
Gather images, colors, and textures that represent the mood and themes of your book.
-
Arrange the elements on a digital or physical board.
-
Use the mood board as a reference throughout the illustration and design process.
Review 'Self-Publishing for Dummies'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of the self-publishing landscape. This will help you make informed decisions about your publishing strategy and maximize your book's reach.
View
Self-Publishing For Dummies (For Dummies:...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts and strategies.
-
Compare the book's advice to the course's teachings on Amazon KDP.
-
Identify areas where you can apply the book's advice to your own self-publishing journey.
Create a Marketing Plan
Show steps
Develop a strategy to promote your book and reach your target audience. This will help you increase your book's visibility and sales.
Show steps
-
Identify your target audience and their reading habits.
-
Research different marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, and book reviews.
-
Create a detailed marketing plan with specific goals, strategies, and timelines.
-
Implement your marketing plan and track your results.
Provide Feedback to Other Students
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the course material by providing constructive criticism to other students. This will help you identify areas where you can improve your own work.
Show steps
-
Review other students' picture book drafts and illustrations.
-
Provide specific and actionable feedback on their writing, illustrations, and design choices.
-
Offer suggestions for improvement and highlight their strengths.
Review Rhyming Schemes
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of different rhyming schemes commonly used in children's books. This will help you write more engaging and memorable stories.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research common rhyming schemes like AABB, ABAB, and ABCB.
- Analyze examples of rhyming schemes in popular children's books.
- Practice writing short verses using different rhyming schemes.
Review 'Writing Picture Books' by Ann Whitford Paul
Show steps
Gain insights into the craft of writing picture books from an experienced author. This will help you refine your storytelling techniques and create a more polished final product.
View
Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts and techniques.
- Apply the book's advice to your own picture book project.
- Reflect on how the book has improved your understanding of picture book writing.
Illustrate with Canva
Show steps
Improve your Canva illustration skills through focused practice. This will help you create visually appealing and engaging illustrations for your children's book.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a scene from your book and create several different illustrations for it using Canva.
- Experiment with different Canva features, such as filters, effects, and animations.
- Get feedback on your illustrations from other students or artists.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Mood Board for Your Book
Show steps
Visualize the overall aesthetic and tone of your book. This will help you maintain consistency in your illustrations and design choices.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather images, colors, and textures that represent the mood and themes of your book.
- Arrange the elements on a digital or physical board.
- Use the mood board as a reference throughout the illustration and design process.
Review 'Self-Publishing for Dummies'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of the self-publishing landscape. This will help you make informed decisions about your publishing strategy and maximize your book's reach.
View
Self-Publishing For Dummies (For Dummies:...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts and strategies.
- Compare the book's advice to the course's teachings on Amazon KDP.
- Identify areas where you can apply the book's advice to your own self-publishing journey.
Create a Marketing Plan
Show steps
Develop a strategy to promote your book and reach your target audience. This will help you increase your book's visibility and sales.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify your target audience and their reading habits.
- Research different marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, and book reviews.
- Create a detailed marketing plan with specific goals, strategies, and timelines.
- Implement your marketing plan and track your results.
Provide Feedback to Other Students
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the course material by providing constructive criticism to other students. This will help you identify areas where you can improve your own work.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review other students' picture book drafts and illustrations.
- Provide specific and actionable feedback on their writing, illustrations, and design choices.
- Offer suggestions for improvement and highlight their strengths.
Career center
Learners who complete Create and self publish a children's picture book for FREE will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Children's Book Author
Children's Book Author
A career as a Children's Book Author becomes more attainable with skills in writing, illustrating, and self-publishing, and this course focuses on all three. Children's Book Authors create engaging stories and pair them with visuals that capture the imagination of young readers. This course helps build a foundation in writing a rhyming children's book in four steps and also provides instruction on illustrating using accessible tools such as Canva. Furthermore, the course walks through the self-publishing process on Amazon KDP, allowing aspiring authors to bring their creations to the market independently. If you want to be a Children's Book Author, this course provides the skills and knowledge to create and publish your own picture book.
Self Publisher
Self Publisher
The role of a Self Publisher is to manage the entire process of publishing a book, from editing and design to marketing and distribution. This course helps build a foundation in the crucial steps of self-publishing, specifically for children's picture books. The course's focus on using Canva for illustrations and cover design, along with detailed guidance on uploading to Amazon KDP, provides aspiring Self Publishers with practical, budget-friendly methods to create a book ready for the market. Learning to navigate the self-publishing landscape through this course may be invaluable for anyone looking to independently publish their work or assist others in doing so.
Illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator creates visuals that accompany written text or stand alone as artwork. This course may be particularly useful because it teaches how to illustrate a children's book using Canva. While professional illustrators may use other advanced tools, learning how to use Canva as an Illustrator will serve as a great starting point, especially considering the course guides learners through setting up pages, finding graphics, building pages, and implementing fonts. Aspiring illustrators can use the techniques learned in this course to build a portfolio of work and gain experience in visual storytelling.
Book Designer
Book Designer
Book Designers are responsible for the visual appearance of a book, including the cover and interior layout. This course provides hands-on experience in designing a children's book cover and laying out the interior pages using Canva. The course guides learners through template usage, base creation, and final edits. These skills are directly applicable to the responsibilities of a Book Designer, particularly in the context of self-published children's books. Learning to design visually appealing and professional-looking books can set aspiring Book Designers apart in the competitive publishing industry.
eBook Publisher
eBook Publisher
The job of an eBook Publisher is to convert and format books into digital formats and distribute them through online platforms. This course offers a practical guide to converting paperback books into eBooks and publishing them on Amazon KDP, thereby offering necessary skills to become an eBook Publisher. The course's step-by-step instructions on formatting and uploading eBooks may be particularly valuable. This practical experience can significantly enhance the ability of aspiring eBook Publishers to navigate the digital publishing landscape.
Content Creator
Content Creator
Content Creators develop engaging and informative material for various platforms, often including written content and visual elements. This course focuses on creating a complete children's picture book, encompassing both writing and illustration. The course's emphasis on rhyming, visual storytelling, and leveraging Canva helps build a foundation in content creation for a specific audience. Learning to create compelling content for children can broaden the skill set of any Content Creator and open up new creative avenues.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developers design educational materials and programs. This course may provide insight into creating engaging content for young children through picture books. By learning to write rhyming stories and create visually appealing illustrations using Canva, Curriculum Developers can gain a better understanding of how to design effective and engaging learning materials for early childhood education. The course's practical approach to creating a complete children's book may be a source of inspiration and practical knowledge for those in curriculum development.
Digital Artist
Digital Artist
Digital Artists create artwork using digital tools and software. This course teaches how to create illustrations for a children's book using Canva which offers an accessible entry point into digital art. While professional Digital Artists may utilize more advanced software, learning to create visually appealing illustrations within Canva helps build a foundation in digital art principles and techniques. This course may be a useful starting point for aspiring Digital Artists looking to explore the world of digital illustration.
Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers create visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. While this course focuses on designing a children's book using Canva, it may serve as a starting point for learning graphic design principles such as layout, typography, and visual composition. The course's modules on creating a book cover and illustrating pages may provide practical experience in applying design elements to a specific project. Aspiring Graphic Designers can leverage this course to gain hands-on experience and build a portfolio piece.
Creative Writer
Creative Writer
Creative Writers craft original written content across various formats, including stories, poems, and scripts. This course focuses on writing a rhyming children's book, which can help hone the skills needed to be a Creative Writer. The course's structured approach to writing in four steps provides a framework for generating ideas, planning pages, rhyming, and expanding on themes. The course may be a valuable stepping stone for aspiring Creative Writers interested in exploring the children's literature genre.
ESL Teacher
ESL Teacher
ESL Teachers (English as a Second Language) instruct non-native English speakers in the English language. This course may offer insights into creating engaging and accessible reading materials for young learners. By learning how to write rhyming children's books and illustrate them using Canva, ESL Teachers can create custom reading resources that cater to the specific needs and interests of their students. The course’s emphasis on visual aids and simple language helps build a foundation for effective ESL teaching materials.
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary School Teachers educate children in various subjects, often using storytelling and visual aids. This course may provide practical skills for creating engaging reading materials for young students. The focus on writing rhyming stories and illustrating with Canva can help Elementary School Teachers develop custom picture books that align with curriculum objectives. This course may also give them practical skills with visual communication.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers create learning experiences that are engaging and effective. This course may offer a unique perspective on how to design visually appealing and informative content for a specific audience. By learning to create a children's book that combines rhyming text and appealing illustrations, Instructional Designers can gain insights into the use of storytelling and visual communication in education. The course's emphasis on practical application and user-friendly tools like Canva may resonate with those seeking innovative approaches to instructional design.
Marketing Associate
Marketing Associate
Marketing Associates support marketing campaigns and strategies to promote products or services. While this course is primarily focused on creating children's books, it may impart some knowledge about self-publishing on Amazon KDP, including how to categorize a book. This course's practical elements may be helpful in understanding how independently published works reach their audience.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistants provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location. This course may equip Virtual Assistants with the skills to assist authors or small businesses in creating and self-publishing children's books. This course may provide the needed skills to become a specialized Virtual Assistant to the publishing field.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/4o8118/create
Reading list
We've selected two books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Create and self publish a children's picture book for FREE.
Provides a comprehensive guide to writing picture books, covering everything from generating ideas to crafting compelling narratives. It offers practical advice on structure, character development, and pacing, which are essential for creating successful children's books. This book valuable resource for understanding the nuances of the picture book format and improving your writing skills. It is commonly used as a textbook in children's literature courses.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the self-publishing process, covering topics such as formatting, cover design, marketing, and distribution. It offers practical advice and step-by-step instructions for navigating the complexities of self-publishing. While the course focuses on Amazon KDP, this book provides a broader perspective on self-publishing options. It useful reference tool for understanding the industry landscape.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/4o8118/create
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