How To Market A Self Published Book for Children's Book Authors

How children's book authors can use how to market a self published book intent to create a narrated interactive BoingyBook and sell it in the store.

Updated August 12, 2026 - Keyword: how to market a self published book

If you are searching for how to market a self published book, one practical option is to turn your existing children's book into a narrated interactive read-aloud edition. A BoingyBook can give parents and young readers another way to experience a story you have already created, whether you currently have a manuscript, PDF, EPUB, illustrated spread files, or a print edition.

This guide is for children's book authors, illustrators, and self-publishers who want to convert an existing book into a BoingyBook and add it to the store. It focuses on the conversion workflow, store listing basics, pricing considerations, narration choices, and how an interactive read-aloud format can support your broader book marketing plan without relying on unrealistic promises or guarantees.

Why an interactive read-aloud edition can support your book marketing

When thinking about how to market a self published book, it helps to create more than one way for families to discover and enjoy your story. A narrated interactive BoingyBook can complement your print book, ebook, author website, social posts, school visit materials, and email list by giving parents a read-aloud format designed for at-home use.

This is not a replacement for your original book. Instead, it is an additional edition that can make your children's story easier to sample, hear, revisit, and share. For authors and illustrators, the goal is to present the same creative work in a format that supports narration, page-by-page reading, word timing, and a store listing that explains what the book is about.

Prepare your files before upload

Start by gathering the cleanest version of your book. Useful source files may include a high-quality PDF, EPUB, manuscript, page images, illustration files, or print-ready spreads. Check that the page order is correct, the illustrations are final, and the text matches the version you want families to read and hear. If you only have a print copy, you may need to scan it carefully and make sure each page is clear and straight.

Before uploading, review your rights. You should have the necessary permission to use the artwork, text, characters, fonts if embedded in images, and any other creative assets in a narrated interactive edition. Also decide whether you want to keep the book identical to the print version or make small digital-friendly edits, such as simplifying a title page, removing print-only back matter, or adding a short author note.

Upload, OCR, and clean up the text

After you create a free BoingyBooks account, begin the conversion by uploading your book files. The system can help turn your pages into a digital read-aloud structure, but you should still review every page carefully. Children's books often use decorative fonts, unusual layouts, speech bubbles, sound effects, and text placed over art, so OCR may need human cleanup.

Check spelling, punctuation, line breaks, page breaks, character names, and repeated refrains. Make sure the text shown on each page matches the narration you plan to use. This cleanup step matters for readability, word highlighting, timing, accessibility, and the overall quality of the finished BoingyBook.

Add narration, word timing, and the parent voice option

Narration is one of the main reasons to create an interactive read-aloud edition. You can record narration yourself if your author voice is part of your brand, work with a narrator if you want a different performance style, or upload existing narration if you already have clean audio rights and files. Record in a quiet space, keep the pacing natural, and use the final cleaned-up text as your script.

Once narration is added, review word timing so the audio and highlighted text stay aligned. This is especially important for beginning readers who follow along visually. You can also consider the parent voice option, which lets a parent or caregiver record the story in their own voice when available. For marketing, mention this option clearly if it is relevant to your listing, because it can make the read-aloud experience feel more personal for families.

Preview, price, and publish your store listing

Before publishing, preview the entire BoingyBook as a parent and child might experience it. Watch for missing pages, awkward pauses, incorrect word highlighting, audio volume changes, typos, cut-off artwork, and confusing navigation. A careful preview is part of marketing because a polished product page and reading experience are more likely to reflect well on your author brand.

When setting a price and creating your store listing, be clear and specific. Your title, subtitle, description, age range, categories, keywords, cover image, and sample text should help parents understand the story quickly. Use phrases related to your audience and theme, but keep them natural. If your broader content strategy targets how to market a self published book, connect the BoingyBook edition to your author platform, newsletter, website, social bios, launch posts, and existing print or ebook sales pages.

Conversion checklist

• Create a free BoingyBooks account and start a new book conversion.
• Upload the best available source file, such as a PDF, EPUB, manuscript, page images, or scanned print pages.
• Review OCR text and clean up spelling, punctuation, page breaks, and any decorative-font errors.
• Record or upload narration using the final text, then check pacing, volume, and audio clarity.
• Adjust word timing and preview every page to confirm the narration, highlighting, and artwork work together.
• Set pricing, complete the store listing, choose relevant keywords and categories, and publish when the preview is ready.

Questions authors ask before converting

Can I convert a children's book if I only have a PDF or print edition?

Yes, a PDF or scanned print edition can be a starting point. Use the cleanest file or scan possible, then carefully review the uploaded pages and OCR text. The better your source file, the easier the cleanup and timing process will usually be.

Do I need to narrate the BoingyBook myself?

No. You can record your own narration, work with a narrator, or upload audio you already have the rights to use. The most important factors are clear sound, consistent pacing, and a narration script that matches the final page text.

How does a BoingyBook help with how to market a self published book?

It gives you another edition to promote and another way for families to experience your story. You can link to it from your author website, email list, social media, launch materials, and existing book pages. It should be part of a broader marketing plan rather than your only tactic.

What should I include in my BoingyBooks store listing?

Include a clear title, strong cover image, concise description, age range, relevant categories, and natural keywords. Explain the story, the read-aloud experience, and any useful features such as narration or the parent voice option. Avoid exaggerated claims and focus on what families will actually receive.