It's a fair question, and not many people answer it honestly. So here are the real figures — no fairy tales, but no horror stories either.
What a traditionally published author earns
If you go through a traditional publisher, royalties typically land between 5% and 10% of the net sale price. On a picture book priced at €12, that works out to between €0.60 and €1.20 per copy sold.
Most first print runs hover around 2,000 to 3,000 copies. If the book sells well… you'd pocket between €1,200 and €3,600. Before taxes. Over several years.
And that's before splitting those royalties with an illustrator, if you didn't illustrate the book yourself.
The reality: the vast majority of traditionally published authors don't make a living from their children's books. Many have other income streams — school workshops, speaking engagements, other writing projects.
What a self-published author earns
Here, the margins are radically different — and that's exactly why self-publishing is attracting more and more creators.
On Amazon KDP, for example, you set your own price. For a full-color illustrated book priced at €14.99:- Estimated printing cost: around €5–6
- Your net margin: between €3 and €5 per copy depending on the format
- Digital royalties (ebook): 35% to 70% depending on the price
If you sell 200 copies a year (a realistic target with a bit of marketing effort), that's between €600 and €1,000 in additional income. Not a full salary, but a genuine supplement.
The guide publishing your book on Amazon KDP walks you through the entire process step by step if you want to dive deeper.
Direct sales: the highest margin of all
Selling your book yourself — at a Christmas market, on your website, on Etsy, after a workshop — is where you keep the most.
You buy your copies at cost price (often €4–7 per unit depending on the format and quantity ordered) and sell them for €12–18. Your gross margin can exceed 50%.
Some self-published author-illustrators make between €2,000 and €8,000 over the holiday season this way, by combining in-person sales with online orders.
It's more work. But it's also a lot more freedom.
What if AI brings creation costs down?
This is where things get really interesting for independent creators.
One of the longstanding barriers to self-publishing children's books was the cost of illustration. Hiring a professional illustrator for a 24-page picture book can run anywhere from €2,000 to €6,000. That's simply not accessible for everyone.
With tools like MakerBook, you can create consistent illustrations throughout your entire book with no illustration budget. Your creation costs drop dramatically — and your margin on each copy sold skyrockets.
For anyone who wants to explore children's book self-publishing without investing thousands of euros upfront, it's a complete game changer.
What this means for you in practice
Here's an honest summary depending on your situation:
| Model | Earnings per copy | Control | Upfront investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional publishing | €0.60 – €1.20 | Low | None |
| Amazon KDP | €3 – €5 | Full | Low |
| Direct sales | €6 – €12 | Full | Medium |
| Ebook only | €1 – €5 | Full | Very low |
But if you're starting from scratch, self-publishing combined with AI tools is today's most accessible path to earning money from a children's book — without waiting years for it to happen.
You can create your first book for free and see for yourself what's possible before committing to publishing.
Frequently asked questions
How many books do you need to sell to make a living as an author?
To earn the equivalent of a minimum wage (around €1,400 net), with a €4 margin per book in self-publishing, you'd need to sell 350 books a month. That's a tough ask with a single title, but much more realistic with a catalog of 5 to 10 well-referenced books.
Can you make money with a book created using AI?
Yes, as long as you comply with the terms of service of the sales platforms and disclose AI usage when required. Amazon KDP accepts AI-assisted books. The article selling an AI book on Amazon breaks down the current rules in detail.
What's the best price for a self-published children's book?
Between €9.99 and €14.99 for a standard format (21x21 cm, 24–32 pages). Below €9.99, the margin is too thin once you factor in color printing costs. Above €15, buyers start comparing with bookstore titles and become more hesitant.
Do you need to declare income from book sales?
Yes, income from book sales is taxable. Depending on your country, it may fall under a freelance or sole trader category. Below certain thresholds, the paperwork stays simple — check with an accountant or your local tax authority for your specific situation.
