Behind the Scenes of a Picture Book & a Giveaway by Tina Cho

 Yesterday, my 6th picture book swam into the world.

illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns, published by PRH Waterbrook

Before a book publishes, authors are busy behind the scenes along with the publishing team. Today I'll share some of the many things I have done. If you have a book, you can relate. Or perhaps you'll pick up an idea or two. I love reading how other authors prep! Here we go and not in any sort of order~

1. Work on finishing touches with your editor: You might have to do some last minute copyedits, especially when you see how text works with illustrations. Some words might be deleted.

2. Proof jacket copy & sales copy: You might be asked to proofread the sales text for the jacket cover of your book and text that would be on the book's page at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the publisher's page, etc. Check out the sales copy text on this Amazon link. 

3. Write a teacher's guide: You might be asked for ideas for a teacher's guide. I helped write the teacher's guide for this book. It will be available real soon!

4. List influencers: You might be asked for a list of people who can help spread the word for your book. 

5. Write an influencer letter: You might write a letter that is put on nice stationery to be included with the book they receive from the publisher.

6. Update your business card: You'll want to update your business card to include your newest book!

7. Update your website: Include your new book cover, description, any awards & reviews, teacher's guide

8. Update your bio with your new book: Places like  your SCBWI member page and Amazon Author page should be updated. I once landed a book contract from my bio at SCBWI! (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators)

9. Schedule blog posts: People want to know nitty-gritty about your book. Writing blogs such as this one are good to schedule ahead of time. 

10. Schedule podcasts: This is something your publicist might do for you. If not, you might inquire with your publisher or podcasters. I spoke on two podcasts: CHRI Radio Ontario and Reading with Your Kids (my part is at 37:44). 

11. Fill out interview questions: Some bloggers will send you questions to answer. 

12. Do photo shoots of your book: You want some fun photos and videos of your book. Where would be some great settings? Or use Canva or photo apps to put your book in creative backgrounds.

at my sister's swimming pool

13. Buy props & swag: If you're having a book event, you might want to order fun things ahead of time like stickers, bookmarks, a stuffed animal that goes with your book to use at story time, a puppet, items to giveaway with your book, food for events. For example, I found a cute beach bag at Target to go with my book and a $5 shark stuffy at Kohls. 

Beach bag from Target dollar bins. Here I used an app called Photoroom to remove my ugly background and put this cute bag on the beach

14. Create reels: If you're into this sort of thing, you might create fun, short videos of your book. I made this fun reel on Instagram, using my book as a baby gift.

15. Post to social media: Once you've created photos and videos of your book, posting to various platforms takes time, at least for me! Here's an adorable IG post of my friend's grandson with the shark from Kohls and my book. I also like to make a list of creative posts. Follow me on IG to see what I do with Oceanographer.

16. Unbox: Once you get YOUR box of books from your publisher, you can make an unboxing video.

17. Plan giveaways: What blogs or social media contests will you hold?

18. Set aside money (perhaps from your advance) to mail those giveaway books. Keep all receipts!

19. Come up with a signature line. For each of my books, I like to not just autograph my name, but I like to write something thematic or heartfelt that goes with each book. My husband came up with the line for God's Little Oceanographer. If you want to know what it is, you'll have to have me sign your book! :)

20. Be flexible for whatever is thrown/given to you to spread the word of your book. Something special about this Big Adventures for Growing Minds series is that I have been privileged to write a 5-day devotion plan for the You Version Bible app. The plan for God's Little Oceanographer is coming! I've already written it. Here's the plan from God's Little Astronomer if you are curious. 

So there you have it. A list of 20 things that authors might do to prepare for their book launch. I'm still learning. And if you have other ideas, please list them in the comments! 

What's next for me? 

God's Little Zoologist 2027

God's Little Botanist 2029 I think

The Princess & the Grain of Rice Feb. 10, 2026

An unannounced picture book

Would you like to win a copy? Be sure to follow this blog and leave a comment. Contest ends Sunday, June 29th, 8:00pm CST. 

my friend's grandson

Tina Cho is the award-winning author of six picture book--RICE FROM HEAVEN: THE SECRET MISSION TO FEED NORTH KOREANS, KOREAN CELEBRATIONS, MY BREAKFAST WITH JESUS, THE OCEAN CALLS: A HAENYEO MERMAID STORY (4 starred reviews, JLG, Freeman Honor Award), GOD’S LITTLE ASTRONOMER, GOD’S LITTLE OCEANOGRAPHER, and the forthcoming THE PRINCESS AND THE GRAIN OF RICE (Feb. 2026) and GOD’S LITTLE ZOOLOGIST (2027). Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW received five starred reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, The Horn Book), an SCBWI Golden Kite Award, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, SLJ Best Graphic Novels List 2024, Kirkus Best Middle Grade 2024, & Booklist Editors’ Choice 2024 & the Freeman Book Honor Award/NCTAsia). She’s a kindergarten teacher by day and an author by night. You can visit her website at www.tinamcho.com. 

Instagram: @tinamcho

X: @tinamcho

Facebook: @tinamcho

To order God's Little Oceanographer click here