Summer Tasks for Publishing Children's Books - 2026
Thoughts from a Mature Children's Publishing Business
When I sat down to write a blog post, my mind was swirling. That’s normal these days! Mims House books is nearing 15 years as a publishing company; with over 75 books in print and a challenging industry that changes almost daily, I have many concerns. For paid readers, I’ll just list strategies, platforms, books, and ideas that I’m juggling right now, in hopes that you’ll see yourself in some of them. Some of these are going back to the basics and some are figuring out how to move forward.
I’ll start with one thing I’m not worried about: I’m not worried about things that my traditionally published friends are worried about. Several children’s publishing imprints with long storied histories have closed recently. Overall, the industry is shrinking, with tales of woe here and there. There was a big ruckus about the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett. This is all happening like it’s in another dimension. The trials and tribulations of traditional publishing doesn’t keep me awake at night.
Instead, I’m worried about tablecloths for tables at conventions, accessibility for ebooks, reaching the homeschool market, launching two books, writing a new book, contracts for another new book, and much more. Come and marvel at my jumbled thoughts!