What does it really take to publish—and market—a children’s book today?

In this special conversation, Frances Gilbert (Editor-in-Chief at Doubleday Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House) shares her journey as both an editor and an author. From her first picture book, Go, Girls, Go!, to her upcoming I’m Dreaming of a Pink Christmas, Frances pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to pitch, publish, and promote books at every level of the industry.

Inside this sneak peek from our Kidlit Academy live session, you’ll hear:
✔️ How Frances became both an editor and a published author
✔️ Why even big-house authors still have to market their own books
✔️ How small publishers can give authors unique advantages
✔️ Tips on submitting across the US, UK, and international markets

Whether you’re just starting your children’s book journey or preparing to publish, Frances’s story will give you both encouragement and clarity about what’s ahead.

✨ Want access to the full interview and future live sessions with editors, agents, and kidlit pros?
👉 Join us inside Kidlit Academy: https://journeytokidlit.com/kidlit-academy

💬 COMMENT your biggest takeaway from Frances’s story!
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Frances Gilbert on Publishing, Rejection, and Marketing Your Own Books

Brooke Van Sickle is the best-selling author of Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Children’s Book that Sells and the founder of Journey to Kidlit, a global online resource that helps aspiring children's book writers learn how to craft and publish their own stories.

Frances Gilbert on Publishing, Rejection, and Marketing Your Own Books

Journey to Kidlit: How to Write a Children's Book